In business for more than a century, Lowe's (LOW +0.08%) was once the largest home improvement retailer in the U.S. It's currently second to Home Depot, with more than 1,700 locations across the U.S. Lowe's previously operated internationally before shutting down operations in Australia, Mexico, and Canada.
Like Home Depot, Lowe's serves homeowners and professional contractors. Products include building materials, tools, appliances, and lawn and garden equipment.
Consumer discretionary sector takeaways for investors
As the largest consumer discretionary companies demonstrate, a strong brand is extremely valuable in this market sector. Several of the businesses on this list have well-established brand names that most consumers would immediately recognize.
Investors should look for companies that have carved out success in a specific niche, such as Tesla's dominance in the electric vehicle market or TJX Companies' leadership in off-price retail. Another way to find winning consumer discretionary stocks is to go with companies that have cornered the market, such as Amazon.
Trump's tariffs made 2025 a turbulent time for consumer discretionary companies. Economic uncertainty and higher prices can lead to lower discretionary spending, and some companies on this list are based in China or sell Chinese products. There are sound investments in this sector, but investors may want to be prepared for more volatility than usual.