(Note: The author of this fundamental analysis is a financial writer and portfolio manager.)

Trade tensions and rising interest rates have sent consumer staple stocks reeling in the first half of 2018, as measured by the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP), which is down by nearly 12.5% from its highs in late January. Rising interest rates have caused dividend yields for many of these companies to rocket higher, pushing the stocks lower, while trade tensions have created uncertainty around international sales. An analysis of the technical charts suggests that some of the stocks in the group may have even further to decline, from what has already been a brutal 2018. (For more, see also: 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Pre-Crash Indicator Near Peak Amid Trade Tꦰensi🐽ons.)

Shares of Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN) are already down over 18%, while Colgate-Palmolive Co. (CL) and The Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) have dropped by more than 14%. PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) is the best performer 🐲of the group, down about 11%. 

Colgate

Colgate's stock has a bearish technical continuation pattern in the chart called an inverse flag. It suggests the shares may decline in the coming weeks. The first level of support would come about 5% lower at $61.40, and should that level of technical support not hold an even steeper drop of 14% is likely, to $55.50. (For more, see also: 澳๊洲幸⛄运5开奖号码历史查询:Is Colgate-Palmolive a Good Investment?)

Tyson

Shares of Tyson may drop by another 9% in the coming weeks, based on a bearish technical pattern known as a descending triangle. The patter🍃n suggests that shares of the stock may fall from its current price of about $67.25 to $61.33, its next level of technical support. 

P&G  

Procter and Gamble also has a bearish technical pattern in the chart, called a rising wedge. The pattern suggests the stock could fall from its current price around $78.30 to a level of technical support at $70.90♔, a drop of about 9.5%. 

Pepsi

PepsiCo shares have hit a technical resistance level at $110.25, while the relative strength index has reached an overbought level abo꧟ve 70. Both indications suggest the stock is due to pull back, and with technical support at $100, the stock may fall by about 8% in the coming weeks, retracing much of its recent rebound. 

The recent selling pressure these stocks have seen in the first half of 2018 is liꦰkely to continue, at l൲east through the first few weeks of the second half. Until the narrative around trade tensions or rates on the long end of the curve subside, the stocks are likely to remain some of the worst performers in the stock market. 

Michael Kramer is the Founder of , a registered investment adviser, and the manager of the company's actively managed, long-only Thematic Growth Portfolio. Kramer typically buys and holds stocks for a duration of three to five years. Click here for Kramer's bio and his portfolio's holdin✱gs. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Upon request, the advisor will provide a list of all recommendations made during the past twelve months. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.