This Unlikely Consumer Stock Is Quietly Beating Apple and ExxonMobil in 2026

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Consumer-focused names are performing well in the current market environment. Names like Smucker, Coca-Cola ( KO ), and J&J are considered defensive stocks. In theory, these…

Pop quiz: which of the following stocks has had the best year-to-date performance in 2026?

I know it’s hard to believe, but Smucker is the top-performing name on the above list. Full year-to-date results:

Consumer-focused names are performing well in the current market environment. Names like Smucker, Coca-Cola (KO), and J&J are considered defensive stocks. In theory, these stocks should outperform the broader market if the economy slows down.

While there are no definitive signs that the economy is slowing, inflation continues to rise, as consumer prices climbed 0.4% in October. Higher inflation leads to higher interest rates, which tend to slow the economy down.

Speaking in London on Tuesday, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said that he’s leaning toward a 25 basis point rate hike at the Fed’s December meeting. He remarked that he’d even consider a 50 basis point hike if inflation continues to climb.

In a soft economy, consumers can do without $600 handbags or $8 coffee, but they won’t voluntarily give up eating.

You probably have a Smucker product somewhere in your house. If you buy Smucker jams, Jif peanut butter, Folgers’ coffee, Hostess Twinkees, Meow Mix, or one of their other many products, you’re a Smucker customer.

Smucker has gained over 38% year-to-date, and has climbed 11% over the past month. Despite the recent volatile performance from the major indexes, Smucker closed at a three-year high on Tuesday.

If the chart is any indication, Smucker will continue to climb. The stock has formed a cup-and-handle pattern (shaded yellow). That formation suggests Smucker shares could rise to $152, making that figure our new price target for the stock.

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