Nine Food Stocks for a Hungry Portfolio

A hungry portfolio might find a pick-me-up in one or more of these food-related stocks, all of which have had some momentum in the past few months, if not longer. Breakfast General Mills GIS is up more than 13% from a nine-month low in August, as well as up about 18% from a year ago. This company has become one of the biggest names in the gluten-free market, and it sold $1 billion of notes in November. Based in Minneapolis, General Mills has a market cap of $26.1 billion and a return on equity of 29.8%. Over the past six months, the stock has outperformed rival cereal-maker Kellogg K and the S&P 500. Cal-Maine Foods CALM is up more than 20% from six months ago, but down about 6% from the 52-week high. EPS are expected to be up 29% year over year when the leading egg producer reports results December 27. Cal-Maine is headquartered in Jackson, Miss., and has a market cap of $820.6 million. Its dividend yield is 2.4%. Over the past six months, the stock has outperformed the broader markets. Starbucks SBUX shares are trading more than 36% higher year over year, and are near a 52-week high. More than 26 million purchases have been made using Starbucks' mobile apps. The company has a market cap of $32.7 billion and a long-term EPS growth forecast of 17.5%. The stock has outperformed those of fellow coffee purveyors Dunkin Brands DNKN and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters GMCR over the past six months. Lunch Kraft Foods KFT is up more than 21% from a year ago. This maker of macaroni and cheese and many other packaged foods is in the process of splitting into two companies, one focused on snacks and the other on groceries. Its market cap is $64.5 billion and its dividend yield is 3.2%. The stock has outperformed competitors ConAgra CAG and H.J. Heinz HNZ, as well as the broader markets, over the past six months. Chipotle Mexican Grill CMG shares are trading more than 58% higher year to date and about 3% shy of the all-time high. Revenue for the Denver-based operator of fast-casual restaurants is forecast to be up 23% this year. Its market cap is $10.4 billion, and the long-term EPS growth forecast is 26.4%. Over the past six months, the stock has outperformed peers such as Buffalo Wild Wings BWLD and Cosi COSI. Whole Foods WFM is about 41% higher than a year ago but down more than 8% from the 52-week high. The natural and organic grocer made the “Fast Money” list of top 25 stocks of 2011. This Austin, Tex.-based company has a market cap is $12.5 billion and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The long-term EPS growth forecast is 16.6%. The stock has outperformed Kroger KR and Safeway SWY over the past six months. Dinner McCormick MKC is up about 14% from a 52-week low earlier this year and more than 9% higher than a year ago. The spice maker recently boosted its quarterly dividend; the yield has risen for 26 consecutive years. The dividend yield is now 2.5%, and the return on equity is 24.4%. The Maryland-based company is an S&P 500 component and has a market cap of $6.6 billion. The stock has outperformed Campbell Soup CPB and Heinz over the past six months. Domino's Pizza DPZ share price is about 115% higher year over year and trading hear a multiyear high. That's due in part to its marketing campaign, which has generated a lot of buzz, but also to strong international sales. This Ann Arbor, Mich.-based pizza delivery company has a market cap of $1.9 billion and an operating margin better than the industry average. The stock has outperformed rival Papa John's PZZA over the past six months. Diageo DEO shares are trading about 22% higher than a year ago and reached a 52-week high yesterday. The world's largest wine and spirits maker has just released its global policy on sustainable packaging. The market cap of this London-based company is $53.7 billion. Its dividend yield is 3.0% and the return on equity is 41.1%. The stock has outperformed Beam BEAM and Constellation Brands STZ over the past six months. Neither Benzinga nor its staff recommend that you buy, sell, or hold any security. We do not offer investment advice, personalized or otherwise. Benzinga recommends that you conduct your own due diligence and consult a certified financial professional for personalized advice about your financial situation.