Fat Tuesday: Investing in restaurants, food and booze

fat-tuesday

Today is Mardi Gras — or Fat Tuesday in French — the last day of the Carnival season.

For some, today is the last hurrah to overindulge in food and drink before Ash Wednesday and the fasting season of Lent. Of course, demand for these consumer staples is 365 days a year.

Scott Rothbort manages the Restaurant and Food Chain portfolio on Covestor, which is designed for investors who may want exposure to companies he believes are are vital to the farming, preparation, production, delivery, sale, marketing and consumption of food, beverages and agricultural products.

The Restaurant and Food Chain portfolio was a solid performer last year, thanks in part to a strong showing in restaurant stocks.

Dow Jones U.S. Restaurants & Bars Index

^DJUSRU Chart

^DJUSRU data by YCharts

Holdings in the Restaurant and Food Chain portfolio include alcohol-related stocks Craft Brew Alliance (BREW), Constellation Brands (STZ) and Boston Beer (SAM). The portfolio also holds restaurant stocks such as Ruth’s Hospitality Group (RUTH), Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) and Nathan’s Famous (NATH).

“There are three products that always seem to sell to the public no matter what economic conditions may dictate. Those three are alcohol, movies and tobacco,” said Rothbort, founder of LakeView Asset Management. “I suggest having two of those three in your portfolio.”

Photo Credit: aha42 | tehaha

DISCLAIMER: The investments discussed are held in client accounts as of February 28, 2013. These investments may or may not be currently held in client accounts. The reader should not assume that any investments identified were or will be profitable or that any investment recommendations or investment decisions we make in the future will be profitable. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.