#4 - General Mills (NYSE:GIS)
It’s not surprising that consumer staples companies make for strong defensive stocks. And General Mills (NYSE: GIS) is one of the best-in-class among these companies. The company is perhaps best known for its cereal brands including Cheerios.
But the company has expanded into many other convenience foods including its recent purchase of Blue Buffalo Pet Products. The $8 billion acquisition gives the company a foothold in one of the strongest growth drivers for the next decade.
Despite a surge in the stock as consumers stocked their pantries during the pandemic, GIS stock is down 10% in the last 12 months. However, the stock has been essentially flat in 2021. This is significant because the company has continued to post strong revenue and earnings at a time when many investors were concerned that revenue would decline.
However, analysts are projecting a 10% gain in the stock over the next 12 months. However, the company rewards shareholders with its dividend. It has raised the dividend in nine of the last 10 years and has what is considered one of the safest dividends in the industry.
About General Mills
General Mills, Inc manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates through four segments: North America Retail; International; Pet; and North America Foodservice. It offers grain, ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and salty snacks, ice cream and frozen desserts, nutrition bars, and savory snacks, as well as various organic products, including frozen and shelf-stable vegetables.
Read More - Current Price
- $68.30
- Consensus Rating
- Hold
- Ratings Breakdown
- 3 Buy Ratings, 13 Hold Ratings, 2 Sell Ratings.
- Consensus Price Target
- $72.06 (5.5% Upside)
