Retail sales in the U.S. posted their largest increase since the U.S.-Iran conflict, suggesting the end of the so-called 'Vibecession'—a period where consumer sentiment was weak despite strong economic data. Core goods, which make up 19.3% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), contributed minimally to inflation, with energy prices driving headline inflation at 3.4%. Despite stock price pressures, consumer staples are seen as a tactical investment opportunity, especially excluding high-valued giants like Walmart and Costco. The article evaluates various consumer staples ETFs, recommending consideration of alternatives beyond the typical market-cap weighted options for potential future outperformance.
Walmart trades at USD 106.54 with a slight 0.23% drop as of Sep 18, 2026 19:31 WIB on Pluang. Costco is priced at USD 891.42, down 0.28% the same day. Despite the article's focus on tactical positions in staples, Pluang data shows mixed investor sentiment with 76% buy orders for Walmart and nearly balanced sell-buy activity for Costco.
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