Nutrition: Fueling Your Body and Portfolio During National Wellness Month

August is here and if you are a Prism Market View regular, then you should remember our recent article, that it’s National Wellness Month! This month is about doing a little something more in the spirit of wellbeing. With no market holidays, August takes no days off, giving you no opportunities to make excuses.

This week we will dive into the Nutrition aspect of Wellness and explore ways you can boost your health through diet. If you’d rather try to boost your wallet instead, keep reading for nutrition related investment ideas, so that clipping coupons will no longer be your necessity.

Up Your Grocery Game

Is it just us or do people forget how to navigate in public as soon as they have a shopping cart in hand? Weave through the shoppers to find yourself some Kombucha at your local Sprouts Farmers Market to boost your probiotic intake or if you’re really feeling adventurous, pop over to their juice bar for a wheatgrass shot. Yum, grass. When it comes to snacks, grab a Quest bar to stay on track. However, if the late-night munchies strike, go ahead and indulge in that pint of ice cream, in front of the tube. Those calories don’t count after 9pm.

Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) recently announced positive earnings at the start of August. Q2 EPS beat estimates and posted at $0.71 vs Factset $0.64. Shares have risen ~21% YTD.

Simply Good Foods (SMPL) brand Quest™, has awarded $80,000 in its Quest for Impact Grants whose mission is to give back and support local communities. While the stock has traded down YTD ~5%, the company continues to invoke positive change through the Quest grant program which, is in its second year.

Remember Your ABC’s

If eating an apple, a day just isn’t your thing, you can still avoid a trip to the doc by tuning up your health through daily vitamins and supplements. Before you hit Walgreens, there are a few things to remember… Vitamin C isn’t for eyesight, it’s for your skin, Vitamin A is recommended for Canadians and Iron supplements may be good for wrinkles.

Walgreens (WBA) recently announced new vaccination and testing offerings as the fall respiratory virus season approaches. Hopefully the new offerings can help move shares higher as the company has been down ~27% YTD.

Get With the Program

We all know a “Stacy” from high school who runs her own Herbalife business via her Facebook account. Sometimes it’s easier to follow a diet or nutritional program to keep you on target, especially if weight loss is your goal. If pyramid schemes aren’t your thing, you can always turn to the OG method and count your points with Weight Watchers. Just try not to blow your daily allowance on that pint of ice cream.

Herbalife (HLF) recently introduced a new product line called Herbalife V to meet increased demand for plant-based options. The stock has traded up ~4% YTD.

WW International (WW) has recently appointed William Shrank, MD to its Board of Directors. Prior to joining WW, Dr. Shrank was the Chief Medical Officer at Humana. The company is up ~150% YTD.

As Wellness Month continues make sure to incorporate some kind of nutrition into your routine or at the very least, invest in it. 

Business Descriptions of Companies Mentioned:

Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) is a U.S.-based specialty grocery store chain that focuses on providing fresh, natural, and organic products to its customers. The company operates a network of retail locations across the United States, offering a wide range of products including fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, natural groceries, meat and seafood, bakery items, dairy products, and more.

Simply Good Foods (SMPL) is a U.S.-based food and snack company that specializes in developing and marketing a variety of nutritious and convenient products. The company’s focus is on providing options that cater to health-conscious consumers, offering products that align with dietary preferences and wellness goals. Its product portfolio typically includes items such as protein bars, shakes, snacks, and other food products that are designed to support a healthy lifestyle and includes brands such as Quest and Atkins.

Walgreens (WBA) a prominent U.S.-based retail pharmacy chain and healthcare company. It operates a vast network of pharmacies and retail locations across the United States and in various international markets. The company provides a wide range of products and services, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, health and wellness products, beauty and personal care items, vitamins and supplements, photo printing services, and more. In addition to its retail operations, Walgreens offers pharmacy services, flu shots, health screenings, and other healthcare-related services.

Herbalife (HLF) is a global multi-level marketing company that specializes in providing nutritional and dietary supplements, as well as personal care products. Founded in 1980, the company operates in numerous countries and offers a wide range of products including meal replacement shakes, protein bars, vitamins, minerals, and other supplements. Herbalife’s business model involves independent distributors who sell its products and recruit new distributors, earning commissions based on their sales and the sales of their recruited team members.

WW International (WW) formerly known as Weight Watchers, is a global wellness company that focuses on helping individuals achieve their health and weight management goals through a science-based approach. WW’s core program centers around a point-based system that assigns values to foods and encourages members to make healthier choices within their daily point allotment. The company provides tools and resources, including digital apps, meal plans, recipes, and in-person or virtual support groups, to assist members on their weight loss and wellness journeys.