With U.S. federal debt now around the size of the entire economy and interest costs nearing US$1t a year, many investors are rethinking how to position their portfolios as borrowing costs and policy risks grow. One area drawing attention is large consumer staples companies that sell everyday essentials, where demand can sometimes be steadier when budgets tighten and prices shift. This article looks at how that backdrop ties into an Inflation-Resistant Consumer Staples screener and highlights 3 stocks from it that appear positively exposed to the current macro pressures.

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Del Monte (FDP)

Overview: Del Monte is a global producer and distributor of fresh and prepared fruits and vegetables, selling everything from pineapples, bananas and avocados to fresh-cut salads, juices and snacks under the Del Monte brand and a range of other labels. Its products reach consumers through supermarkets, club and convenience stores, wholesalers and foodservice operators across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and beyond.

Operations: Del Monte generates most of its revenue from Fresh and Value-Added Products at about US$2.6b, followed by Bananas at roughly US$1.5b and Other Products and Services at around US$214m, with North America contributing roughly US$2.5b of sales and Europe just over US$900m.

Market Cap: US$1.4b

For investors worried about rising U.S. debt and stickier borrowing costs, Del Monte offers exposure to everyday food staples that consumers tend to keep buying even when budgets tighten, supported by a mix of premium fruit varieties and convenient fresh-cut products. Analysts expect earnings growth to rebound strongly from a weak year marked by one off losses and softer margins. However, there are real questions around how sustainable recent pricing and premium product momentum will be as supply and regulatory costs evolve. Climate and cost inflation risks, a relatively low 3.6% ROE and an unstable dividend record mean this is not a simple story, which is exactly why the full analysis of its strengths and pressure points matters for long term investors.

Rebounding earnings on everyday staples, premium fruit and fresh-cut products could be masking the real tension in Del Monte’s story; unpack the 1 key reward and 3 important warning signs

TreeHouse Foods (THS)

Overview: TreeHouse Foods manufactures and distributes private label snacks, beverages and everyday grocery items for major retailers and foodservice customers, supplying everything from crackers, pretzels and cookies to coffee, tea, broths and drink mixes across the United States and internationally.

Operations: TreeHouse Foods generates about US$3.3b in revenue from manufacturing and distributing private brand food and beverages.

Market Cap: US$1.2b

TreeHouse Foods sits at the intersection of value focused shopping and essential consumer spending, with retailers leaning into private label lines as high federal debt and persistent inflation keep households sensitive to pricing. The company is working to reshape its mix toward higher margin, health oriented categories and is using supply chain optimization and automation to support more efficient operations. It still carries funding risk from heavy external borrowing and is not yet profitable, with a history of losses and low returns on equity. For investors who think private label demand and cost efficiencies can eventually outweigh those pressures, the combination of essential products, retailer partnerships and an inexpensive P/S multiple raises questions about what the market might be missing in this story.

TreeHouse Foods’ shift toward higher margin, health focused categories, with automation quietly reshaping costs, could be masking the real story, unpack the analysis report for TreeHouse Foods

Cobram Estate Olives (ASX:CBO)

Overview: Cobram Estate Olives produces and markets olive oil and related products across Australia, the United States and other markets. It controls the full chain from olive tree nurseries and groves in Victoria and California to mills, bottling and storage, and online sales of olive leaf teas and refined oils under brands like Cobram Estate and Red Island.

Operations: Cobram Estate Olives generates most of its revenue from Australian Operations at about A$177.6m, with US Operations contributing roughly A$60.8m and eliminations and corporate items reducing A$5.4m.

Market Cap: A$1.9b

Cobram Estate Olives provides exposure to premium, everyday food products at a time when high U.S. federal debt and the risk of higher interest costs are keeping attention on companies that focus on pricing resilience and brand strength in essentials. The vertically integrated model, from groves to branded bottles, is geared toward cost control and quality. Global demand for natural, health focused oils aligns with its core offering. At the same time, a rich valuation, high non cash earnings and substantial investment in US growth mean expectations are elevated, and any disappointment in harvests or cost pressures could matter. A key consideration is how its balance of growth, funding needs and agricultural risk compares with the level of current market optimism.

Premium olive oil growth, a full farm-to-bottle model and high non cash earnings set up a story that feels strong on the surface, but the real tension sits inside the 3 key rewards and 1 important major warning sign

The three stocks in this article are just a starting point, with the full Inflation-Resistant Consumer Staples screener uncovering 17 more large consumer staples companies with equally compelling inflation resilience stories. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific pricing power, demand stability and balance sheet catalysts that matter most to you so you can focus on the highest conviction opportunities in this theme.

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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.