Holiday Basket: Invest in what brings you joy

The holiday season can be hectic. Hours spent hunting for the “perfect” gift, standing in endless lines at the store, so long that you might actually bond with the cashier by the time you leave. But this year, what if you could celebrate the brands you love in a smarter way?

Sure, a fresh pair of Jordans or the latest toy will bring smiles today. But investing in Nike or gifting shares in Mattel and Hasbro? That’s a gift that lasts long after the wrapping paper hits the floor. These are the same brands we shop for during the holidays, the ones that bring joy to our families and make the season special.

So why not take it up a notch?

You can still celebrate the season, still enjoy the brands you love, and be the one who invests in something bigger. Skip the usual and surprise them with a holiday basket they’ll still be bragging about 10 years from now.

The Holiday Heroes: Shopping Made Easy

These platforms make holiday shopping simple, helping us skip the lines and find the perfect gifts with just a few clicks.

Shopify

Company Description: Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that enables entrepreneurs and businesses to create, customize, and manage online stores. Known for its user-friendly tools and scalability, Shopify caters to small and medium-sized businesses globally, empowering them to sell across multiple channels, including social media, mobile, and in-person.
1-Year Movement: Up 50% – The stock has surged due to the increasing adoption of e-commerce solutions by small and medium-sized businesses and Shopify’s strategic investments in AI-driven tools and cross-border commerce.
5-Year Movement: Up 200% – Shopify has capitalized on the long-term growth of e-commerce, establishing itself as a leader in an expanding market, supported by consistent revenue growth and innovative product rollouts.
Holiday Season Trend: Shopify sees positive stock momentum during the holiday season as merchants rely heavily on its platform for peak sales periods, with demand fueled by consumer shopping behavior and promotional campaigns. Check the real-time market insights for Shopify to see how it’s performing this season.

Amazon

Company Description: Amazon is a multinational technology company specializing in e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. As a dominant force in online retail and web services, Amazon continues to expand its ecosystem through innovations like Prime, AWS, and smart devices.
1-Year Movement: Up 55% – Strong performance in AWS, retail recovery, and the successful implementation of cost-cutting measures have contributed to Amazon’s recent rise.
5-Year Movement: Up 164% – Driven by dominance in e-commerce and growth in AWS, Amazon’s stock has benefited from long-term shifts toward digital transformation and subscription services.
Holiday Season Trend: Amazon often experiences heightened investor interest during the holidays as its e-commerce platform dominates seasonal shopping, complemented by increased Prime membership signups. Track the latest market trends for Amazon and stay updated on its holiday sales impact.

Mercado Libre

Company Description: Mercado Libre is Latin America’s leading e-commerce and fintech platform, providing services ranging from online retail to digital payments and logistics. The company is integral to the digital transformation across the region.
1-Year Movement: Up 12% – Mercado Libre’s growth in fintech services and increasing penetration in underserved markets have driven moderate stock appreciation.
5-Year Movement: Up 216% – The company’s ability to capture e-commerce and digital payment opportunities in Latin America has fueled remarkable long-term growth.
Holiday Season Trend: Mercado Libre tends to see stock gains during the holidays as e-commerce activity surges across key markets in Latin America, supported by increased digital payment adoption. See the current market data for Mercado Libre.

Iconic Brands for the Next-Gen

For the teens and young adults in your life, these brands offer the products that always seem to make it to the top of their wish lists.

Nike

Company Description: Nike is a global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. With a focus on innovation, branding, and a direct-to-consumer approach, Nike commands significant influence in sportswear markets worldwide.
1-Year Movement: Down 36% – Weakness in consumer discretionary spending and elevated inventory levels have weighed on Nike’s financial performance; along with increased competition within the athletic sportswear sector.
5-Year Movement: Down 21% – Challenging market conditions, shifting consumer behavior, and supply chain disruptions have slowed Nike’s long-term growth trajectory.
Holiday Season Trend: While Nike often benefits from heightened seasonal demand for athletic footwear and apparel, market share competition challenges may limit stock movement during this period. Get real-time insights on Nike’s market performance this season.

Apple

Company Description: Apple is a technology giant known for its iconic products, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and services like the App Store and iCloud. Apple excels in creating a seamless ecosystem of hardware, software, and services.
1-Year Movement: Up 27% – Strong demand for premium devices, expansion into new markets like wearables, and growth in services revenue have driven stock gains.
5-Year Movement: Up 264% – Apple’s consistent innovation and ability to monetize its ecosystem have made it one of the most valuable companies in the world.
Holiday Season Trend: Apple often experiences positive stock momentum during the holiday season as product launches and high consumer demand for its devices and services boost revenue through holiday shopping. Monitor real-time market insights for Apple.

The Power of Plastic for Seasonal Spending

As the holidays bring extra spending, credit cards make it easier to shop without worrying about the immediate cost, allowing us to enjoy the season now and pay later. While also providing an added layer of protection on your purchases, giving you peace of mind during the busiest time of year.

Visa

Company Description: Visa is a global leader in electronic payments, enabling secure and efficient transactions across credit, debit, and prepaid platforms. Its vast network supports millions of merchants worldwide.
1-Year Movement: Up 22% – Increased consumer spending and global travel recovery have supported Visa’s revenue growth, bolstering its stock.
5-Year Movement: Up 70% – Visa’s strategic focus on digital payment solutions and expanding its global footprint has delivered steady long-term gains.
Holiday Season Trend: Visa typically sees a boost during the holiday season as consumer spending accelerates, leading to increased transaction volumes on its network. Check real-time data on Visa to stay informed.

Mastercard

Company Description: Mastercard is a global payment technology company that connects consumers, merchants, and financial institutions through secure electronic payment solutions. It leads in innovation around digital payments and data analytics.
1-Year Movement: Up 27% – Rising cross-border transactions and consumer spending have driven strong growth for Mastercard.
5-Year Movement: Up 79% – Long-term performance has been supported by robust adoption of electronic payments and strategic investments in emerging markets.
Holiday Season Trend: Mastercard enjoys seasonal gains as holiday shopping, both online and offline, increases transaction volumes globally. Stay updated with the latest market trends for Mastercard.

Santa’s Favorites

These iconic toy companies capture the magic of the holidays, with timeless products that are sure to make children (and adults) smile.

Mattel

Company Description: Mattel is a leading global toy company known for iconic brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Fisher-Price. The company also focuses on content creation, digital gaming, and licensing partnerships.
1-Year Movement: Down 1% – Modest declines reflect mixed results from traditional toy sales and competition in the entertainment space.
5-Year Movement: Up 46% – Strategic efforts to revitalize key brands and expand into media and entertainment have contributed to long-term gains.
Holiday Season Trend: Mattel often benefits from seasonal demand for toys, with stock trends influenced by consumer spending and brand popularity during the holidays. Track Mattel’s performance this holiday season with real-time market insights.

Hasbro

Company Description: Hasbro is a global entertainment company that produces toys, games, and media content. Iconic brands like Monopoly, Nerf, and Transformers are key drivers of its business.
1-Year Movement: Up 20% – Improvements in toy sales and growth in digital gaming have supported recent stock recovery.
5-Year Movement: Down 41% – Weak performance in some traditional toy categories and challenges in content licensing have weighed on the stock over the long term.

Holiday Season Trend: Hasbro’s stock typically sees increased activity during the holidays as its toys and games are popular gift choices; even though the long-term returns may show different results. Check Hasbro’s real-time market data to see how its holiday sales are shaping up.

Gather ‘Round the Table: Holiday Essentials

When it’s time to gather with family and friends, this brand helps make the holiday meal and celebrations complete.

Walmart

Company Description: Walmart is the world’s largest retailer, offering a mix of physical and online shopping experiences. With a focus on low prices and expansive product variety, Walmart has strengthened its e-commerce presence and remains a cornerstone of the retail industry globally.
1-Year Movement: Up 86% – Exceptional growth in online sales and grocery segments, alongside investments in automation and digital innovation, has driven strong investor confidence.
5-Year Movement: Up 136% – Walmart’s successful transformation into a hybrid retailer with significant investments in logistics and e-commerce has bolstered its long-term performance.
Holiday Season Trend: Walmart enjoys robust stock performance during the holiday season due to its competitive pricing strategy, increased foot traffic, and strong e-commerce demand. Get real-time market insights for Walmart and see how it’s performing during the holiday rush.

This holiday season, why not break away from the usual hustle of crowded stores and last-minute shopping? The brands we know and love aren’t just for gift-giving. They can also be investments in a brighter financial future. By choosing to invest in the stocks of these iconic companies, you’re giving something truly valuable: a stake in their success.

A portfolio of consumer-focused stocks, the same brands that make the holidays magical, has the potential to grow and deliver value year after year. While short-term performance over 1- and 5-year periods may fluctuate, investing in a basket of holiday related stocks can still offer solid long term returns.

Plus, with zero commission on trades, you can invest without any hidden fees, making it an even smarter gift.

Consider gifting yourself or your loved ones an investment in the future, because it’s the kind of gift that keeps on giving. 

Ready to build your holiday basket? Start investing in the brands you love.

Disclaimer: All investments involve risk, and the past performance of a security, industry, sector, market, financial product, trading strategy, or individual’s trading does not guarantee future results or returns. Investors are fully responsible for any investment decisions they make. Such decisions should be based solely on an evaluation of their financial circumstances, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. This post does not constitute investment advice.