Black Friday is known for being the biggest shopping days of the year. Over the weekend, sales declined due to earlier promotions and an increase in online sales.
Inside the Holiday Sales
According to the The National Retail Federation, the average consumer spent $380.95 in retail stores this weekend. That number is down from an average of $407.02 last Black Friday. On average, this weekend accounts for 30% of sales and 40% of profits for retailers.
While in-store sales fell this weekend, retailers saw a boost in online sales as more and more consumer prefer online shopping over the Black Friday chaos.
Mutual Funds to Watch
The most visited stores this weekend included Macy’s (M), Target (TGT), Wal-Mart (WMT) and Best Buy (BBY). On Friday, Best Buy’s website experienced two blackouts. For investors seeking exposure to these companies, the following mutual funds may be considered.
| Symbol | Mutual Fund | Company Exposure | Stake |
|---|---|---|---|
| VTSMX | Vanguard Total Stock Market Index | Wal-Mart | 0.83% |
| FKINX | Franklin Income | Target | 3.16% |
| VTSMX | Vanguard Total Stock Market Index | Macy's | 1.69% |
| FLPSX | Fidelity® Low-Priced Stock | Best Buy | 9.85% |
The Bottom Line
Investors seeking exposure to consumer goods and retail stocks during the holiday season may want to consider the funds listed above. Mutual fund investors may also consider a general retail fund like the Fidelity Select Retailing Portfolio Fund (FSRPX).