Sector Report5 min read
Consumer Staples: Seven A-Grades, Four Disasters
Tobacco and beverages dominate the top. Retailers and Tyson scrape the bottom at 2% margins.
May 11, 2026
MOPMMNSTSTZ+16
Food, beverage, household products, and retail staples
Sector classifications follow the GICS industry standard.
Companies ranked by free cash flow margin
Health grades across the sector
Tobacco and beverages dominate the top. Retailers and Tyson scrape the bottom at 2% margins.
Philip Morris and Monster print 26% and 22% margins. Walmart and Tyson barely break 2%. Same sector, different planets.
Tobacco and energy drinks print 20%+ margins. Retail giants barely break 2%. Both earn A-grades. Something's broken.