Consumer Staples Sector Seasonality

How S&P 500 consumer staples stocks have behaved through the calendar year, measured with XLP, the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund, over the last 15 years. Its strongest month has been November (average +2.67%, higher in 12 of 15 years), and its weakest September (−1.24%, higher in 7 of 15).

Consumer Staples seasonality chart

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Average year for XLP over the last 15 years: it ends the year +10.0%, with its highest point around December 29 (+10.3%) and its lowest around January 13 (−0.3%). Each past year is rebased to 0% on January 1 and the years are averaged day by day. Rising stretches are when XLP has tended to gain.

Consumer Staples stocks seasonality by month

XLP has beaten the S&P 500 (SPY) on average in 3 of the 12 months, with its biggest edge in March (+1.27%).

MonthXLP avgHigher inSPY avg
January−0.00%8 of 15 yrs+1.28%
February+0.78%10 of 15 yrs+1.12%
March+1.84%10 of 15 yrs+0.57%
April+1.52%11 of 15 yrs+1.18%
May−0.21%9 of 15 yrs+1.03%
June+0.62%5 of 15 yrs+1.37%
July+1.92%11 of 15 yrs+2.70%
August+0.12%8 of 15 yrs+0.16%
September−1.24%7 of 15 yrs−1.16%
October+1.36%7 of 15 yrs+2.17%
November+2.67%12 of 15 yrs+3.29%
December+0.54%9 of 15 yrs+0.31%

From split- and dividend-adjusted prices, complete years only. See our methodology. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Consumer Staples stocks in the S&P 500

33 stocks, largest first by market cap as of November 2026. Open any one for its own seasonality chart and best months.

WMTWalmartCOSTCostcoKOCoca-ColaPGProcter & GamblePMPhilip Morris InternationalPEPPepsiCoMOAltriaMNSTMonster BeverageMDLZMondelez InternationalCLColgate-PalmoliveTGTTargetKDPKeurig Dr PepperSYYSyscoELEstée Lauder CompaniesKRKrogerKVUEKenvueADMArcher Daniels MidlandKMBKimberly-ClarkHSYHersheyDGDollar GeneralKHCKraft HeinzCHDChurch & DwightCASYCasey'sDLTRDollar TreeSTZConstellation BrandsTSNTyson FoodsBGBunge GlobalGISGeneral MillsSJMJ.M. SmuckerBF-BBrown–FormanMKCMcCormickHRLHormel FoodsCLXClorox

Consumer Staples seasonality FAQ

What is the best month for consumer staples stocks?

Measured by XLP over the last 15 years, November has been the strongest month, averaging +2.67% and rising in 12 of 15 years.

What is the worst month for consumer staples stocks?

September has been the weakest, averaging −1.24% and rising in 7 of 15 years.

Which stocks are in the consumer staples sector?

The 33 S&P 500 consumer staples stocks listed on this page, led by WMT, COST, KO, PG, PM by market cap.

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