Tech stocks are under pressure after a sharp global semiconductor sell off, yet many investors are looking at the other side of their portfolios. Large consumer staples stocks can sometimes offer a steadier ride when chip stocks swing sharply. This article focuses on three companies from a Defensive Consumer Staples Stocks screener that appear closely exposed to the current news backdrop, whether through their role in everyday spending or their perceived lower risk profile. You will see how each stock fits the theme, why it stands out on stability metrics, and where it may fit in a long term watchlist.

Lamb Weston Holdings (LW)

Overview: Lamb Weston Holdings is a global frozen potato specialist that supplies fries and other potato based products to quick service restaurants, foodservice distributors, and retailers, both under its own brands like Lamb Weston and Grown in Idaho and under private labels.

Operations: Lamb Weston generates about US$4.4b of revenue from North America and about US$2.2b from International markets, with total reported sales of roughly US$6.6b.

Market Cap: US$7.3b

Lamb Weston Holdings may interest investors who want a consumer staples stock with clear volume drivers and ongoing self help initiatives. The company is closely linked to global quick service restaurant traffic and convenience food demand. It is also working on a US$250m cost savings program and automation investments that are aimed at improving margins over time. Recent quarters show solid North America volume and ongoing international footprint adjustments. Analysts also highlight factors such as modest long term revenue growth expectations, high debt, competitive pricing pressure, and a recent one off loss as key watchpoints. That mix of defensiveness, efficiency plans, and execution risk makes Lamb Weston a stock that some patient investors may choose to monitor closely.

Quick service demand, a US$6.6b sales base and a US$250m cost program make Lamb Weston Holdings look more than just a potato supplier. The real question is how that trade off between efficiency plans, debt and pricing pressure stacks up in the 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs

Bunge Global (BG)

Overview: Bunge Global is a global agribusiness and food company that buys, processes, and sells crops like soybeans, softseeds, corn, and wheat into products used for food, animal feed, biofuels, and other industrial uses, as well as milling grain and providing related logistics and freight services.

Operations: Bunge Global generates most of its revenue from soybean processing and refining at about US$39.9b, grain merchandising and milling at about US$25.0b, softseed processing and refining at about US$15.2b, and tropical oils and specialty ingredients at about US$5.1b, with eliminations of about US$4.6b and a small segment adjustment.

Market Cap: US$22.8b

Bunge Global provides exposure to essential food and feed supply chains through a company that is connecting the Viterra merger, rising renewable fuel demand, and capacity investments into a plan focused on margins. Current net margins sit at 0.9%, and interest and dividends affect free cash flow. Analysts highlight a large gap between the current share price and estimated cash flow value, and also note integration risk, policy uncertainty around biofuels, and a funding profile that leans on external borrowing. For investors considering defensive staples, the combination of potential opportunities alongside balance sheet and execution questions may make Bunge Global a company worth examining more closely.

Bunge Global sits at the crossroads of food, feed, and biofuels, yet its 0.9% net margin and heavy external funding raise sharp questions. Get the full picture in the 3 key rewards and 3 important warning signs (1 is major!)

Hershey (HSY)

Overview: Hershey is a global confectionery and snacking company that sells chocolate, candy, gum, mints, protein bars, baking ingredients, syrups, popcorn, pretzels, and other snacks under brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Kit Kat, SkinnyPop, Pirate’s Booty, and Dot’s, mainly across North America with exports to around 65 countries.

Operations: Hershey generates about US$9.7b from North America Confectionery, US$1.3b from North America Salty Snacks, and US$1.0b from International, with total reported sales of roughly US$12.0b.

Market Cap: US$36.6b

Hershey gives you exposure to a collection of powerful brands in everyday treats and snacks, backed by high through cycle returns on capital and an earnings profile that stayed resilient even during the 2025 cocoa shock when accounting effects drove a sharp reported EPS drop. At the same time, recent earnings fell 33.9%, margins narrowed to 9.1%, debt is elevated and the dividend is not well covered by earnings. All of this keeps pressure on a stock that still trades on a rich P/E versus food peers. With new salty snacks, protein bars, licensing tie ups like Pokémon, and a GLP 1 overhang that investors are still debating, Hershey sits at an interesting crossroads for anyone who values quality but worries about paying too much for slow growth.

Hershey’s rich P/E and recent 33.9% earnings drop have many investors cautious, yet the brand portfolio and snack expansion story may not be fully priced in. The real twist could sit inside the analyst forecasts for Hershey

The three stocks covered here are just a starting point, since the full Defensive Consumer Staples Stocks screener surfaced 20 more companies that pair financial health checks with dividend potential and lower risk scores that may warrant a closer look. Use Simply Wall St to identify the exact catalysts and narratives that matter to you, then analyze those opportunities using the Defensive Consumer Staples Stocks screener.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.