Spring has officially sprung! Baseball teams are preparing for the season, plants are blooming, and everyone’s keeping an eye open for that first robin. While the first day of Spring might mean relatively little to the millions of Americans living in the Upper Midwest this year after experiencing one of the mildest winters in recent memory, it’s still an important time to consider the changing of the seasons. So, here are some spring themed stocks for the start of the season.
Cleaning Supplies
Spring cleaning can be an almost religious experience for those living in areas where heavy winters set in for long months. When the weather gets warmer and one can throw open the house and start to air out the stale air that accumulates over the course of the winter, in can really rejuvinate an individual’s zest for life. Aiding in this are a number of publicly traded companies specializing in cleaning supplies. The Clorox Company (CLX) has any number of products dedicated to cleaning and disinfecting, the Church & Dwight Company (CHD) offers a number of products under its Arm & Hammer brand, and Ecolab (ECL) also sells a number of cleaning products. However, some of the most prominent cleaning brands, including Mr. Clean and Swiffer, fall under the umbrella of consumer goods conglomerate Procter & Gamble (PG).
Spring Break
If, like the members of the Bluth family in Arrested Development, you view Spring Break as a recognized holiday, there are several stocks one might seriously consider to invest in the wild times being had by an army of 20-somethings descending on Daytona Beach and elsewhere. While most resorts tend to be privately held, the major casinos in Las Vegas, also an excellent Spring Break destination, are publicly traded. Casino/resort companies like Wynn (WYNN), Las Vegas Sands (LVS), and MGM Resorts International (MGM) have properties in Las Vegas and Macau (another fun destination less likely to draw American college students). Though, for anyone looking to capture those last fleeting moments of winter fun, Vail Resorts (MTN) might be more your speed.
Spring Training
It isn’t just baseball players working to get back into shape after taking the winter off. Any number of Americans are looking to hit the gym and make sure their bodies are swimsuit ready as the summer approaches. Shedding that winter weight is never easy, but there are some fitness stocks that are looking to profit from helping people do just that. While many of your local gyms are privately owned, there are publicly traded companies in the industry. Life Time Fitness (LTM) has gyms in 26 major markets and the troubled Bally Total Fitness (BLLY) is still out there. Outside of gyms, there are also sporting goods stores like Dicks Sporting Goods (DKS), Hibbett Sports (HIBB), and Cabelas (CAB) if you’re interested in anything from fishing to golf.
