# What Is Consumer Discretionary? Definition in Economic Indicators

## What Is Consumer Discretionary?

Consumer discretionary is a term that describes goods and services that consumers consider non-essential but desirable if their available [income](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/income.asp) is sufficient to purchase them.

Examples of consumer discretionary products and services can include [durable goods](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/durables.asp), high-end apparel, entertainment, leisure activities, and automobiles.               

Companies that supply these types of goods and services are usually either called consumer discretionaries or [consumer cyclicals](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/consumer_cyclicals.asp).

The consumer discretionary sector of the economy encompasses various industries, the companies of which produce consumer discretionary products. Individuals can focus their investing on this sector by buying consumer discretionary stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs.

### Key Takeaways

*   Consumer discretionary is an economic sector classification of non-essential consumer goods and services.
*   The sector, its industries, and individual companies are watched by analysts and investors as an indicator of economic growth or slowdown.
*   Consumers tend to spend more on consumer discretionary products in economic growth phases, when they may have more disposable income.
*   Spending on consumer discretionary products slows in a weak economy.
*   Consumer discretionary can be contrasted with consumer staples, which is a sector comprised of industries/companies that produce products essential to daily needs.

![Consumer Discretionary: Companies that sell non-essential consumer goods and services.](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/vbpu16pM3KzyzijtWf23SPgaTyI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Consumer-discretionary_final-89eea76cb6b4451595f5902b2f2a2bd7.png)

*— Investopedia / Michela Buttignol*

## Understanding Consumer Discretionary

The purchase of consumer discretionary products is often compared with the purchase of [consumer staples](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/consumerstaples.asp). Both product classifications are influenced by cycles of the economy.

In general, when the economy is strong, consumers earn more and spend more on consumer discretionary products. On the other hand, when an economy is contracting, consumers usually earn less and focus their spending more on products essential to their needs. These are known as consumer staples, also referred to as [consumer defensive](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/defensivecompany.asp).

[Economic cycles](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/economic-cycle.asp) have a big influence on [earnings power](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/earnings-power.asp) and consumer spending in an economy. There are four stages of an economic cycle. They are defined as expansion, peak, contraction, and trough.

A growing economy—expansion to peak—is usually characterized by stronger earnings for businesses and consumers. This coincides with more spending. A contracting economy—contraction to trough—generally has the opposite effect. That is, weaker earnings and less spending.

When an [economy](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/economy.asp) is growing, it is usually expected that consumers will have more [disposable income](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/disposableincome.asp) to spend on discretionary items. They'll be less concerned with saving for tough times. This leads to a greater demand for consumer discretionary products.

Alternatively, in a weakening or weak economy, consumers are more likely to forego the purchases of non-essential consumer discretionary products in favor of adding to their [savings](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/savings.asp).

These consumers, however, still need to buy consumer staples—such essential and basic household items as toilet paper, paper towels, food, beverages, and gas. 

## Consumer Discretionary and Economic Indicators

There are several [economic indicators](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/economic_indicator.asp) that help economists to determine the state of an economy. These indicators are also important for predicting trends for the consumer discretionary and consumer staples sectors.

### GDP

Typically, [gross domestic product (GDP)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gdp.asp) is the number one metric for analyzing an economy. When GDP is growing, it indicates a strengthening economy where people and businesses are willing to spend more. Conversely, when GDP is decreasing, it is an indication of economic [contraction](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/contraction.asp) and the need for spending prudence.

### Consumer Confidence

Consumer confidence can also be relevant. The consumer confidence indicator can shed light on future consumption and saving behaviors of households. This insight is tied to answers households provide when surveyed about their expected financial circumstances. It's also based on how they feel about economic conditions and unemployment.

Typically in a weakening economy, [consumer confidence](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/fundamental/103002.asp) declines and consumers tighten their belts.

For example, they may postpone vacations and delay the purchase of products that aren't essential for daily living. These products might include high-end clothing, big-screen televisions, and expensive new cars.

The reduced [demand](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/demand.asp) for consumer discretionary products is usually a precursor of lower sales for the companies that produce these products. Lower sales can lead to worsening economic conditions and greater economic contraction.

### Consumer Confidence Index

As of December 2022, the CCI was 108.3, up from 101.4 in November. A level above 100 indicates increasing consumer confidence. This means that they'll most likely save less and instead make major purchases in the following 12 months. Levels below 100 point to a pessimistic outlook for the economy. This may result in greater saving and less spending.

### Consumer Spending

The [Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bea.asp) releases a monthly report on [personal income and outlays](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/personal-income-outlays.asp). It includes consumer income and spending figures. The latter is known as personal consumption expenditures (PCE). The report also includes the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCEPI), a gauge of price inflation that is closely followed by the Federal Reserve (Fed).

The report documents the spending behavior of consumers. In growth phases, personal income and personal spending tends to increase, leading to more purchases of consumer discretionary products. During contractions, personal income and personal spending are usually lower and spending on consumer discretionary products decreases.

### Interest Rates

[Interest rates](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/interestrate.asp) can be an interesting metric to follow during all types of economic cycles. In general, interest rates rise in growth phases and fall during contractions. The level of interest rates is important for companies that tap the credit markets for business funding. U.S. monetary policy usually seeks to lower interest rates in contractionary phases to provide a business stimulus.

### Other Indicators

Other closely followed indicators that can indicate consumer discretionary trends include the following:

*   Retail sales
*   Non-farm payrolls
*   Unemployment levels
*   Labor market hours
*   Labor market earnings
*   Manufacturing activity
*   Services activity
*   Home sales
*   Building construction activity

## Consumer Discretionaries vs. Consumer Staples

When an economy is growing, many [sectors](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sector.asp) see stock values increase and this can make [equities](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/equitymarket.asp) attractive. The higher values are due to increasing profits and more discretionary consumer income.

### Consumer Discretionaries

*   Often, when signs of economic growth or recovery begin to appear, consumer discretionary stocks will lead an upward move in stock market prices.
*   Investors who believe a positive spending trend is taking shape may find consumer discretionary stocks a good investment opportunity.
*   However, consumer discretionary companies can be sensitive to changes in economic activity and spending behavior.

### Consumer Staples

*   When an economy is contracting, investors may find consumer staples stocks a solid investment choice.
*   That's because companies in this sector produce and sell products that consumers need and buy, no matter the economic climate.
*   Consumer staples stocks may even present attractive investment opportunities during a recession.  
    

> **Important**
>
> The stock shares of consumer discretionary companies tend to lead a general stock market decline at the beginning of a contraction.

## Investing in Consumer Discretionaries

### Consumer Discretionary ETFs

Many investors like to put their money into sector [exchange-traded funds (ETFs)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/etf.asp) to navigate through different types of economic cycles. ETFs can limit risks with broadened [diversification](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/diversification.asp), while allowing for the concentration of investment positions.

For the consumer discretionary sector, State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) offers one of the market’s top options.

The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund ([XLY](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=XLY)) includes the [S&P 500’s](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sp500.asp) consumer discretionary stocks. Its top five holdings, as of January 2023, were the following:

*   Amazon ([AMZN](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=AMZN))
*   Tesla ([TSLA](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=TSLA))
*   Home Depot ([HD](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=HD))  
    
*   NIKE ([NKE](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=NKE))
*   McDonald's ([MCD](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=MCD))

For those interested in the consumer staples sector, the SSGA offers the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund ([XLP](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=XLP)). It includes the S&P 500’s consumer staples stocks. Its top five holdings, as of January 2023, were the following:

*   Procter & Gamble ([PG](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=PG))
*   PepsiCo Inc. ([PEP](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=PEP))
*   Coca-Cola ([KO](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=KO))
*   Costco Wholesale Corp. ([COST](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=COST))
*   Philip Morris International ([PM](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=PM))

### Consumer Discretionary Stocks

The demand for [consumer discretionary stocks](https://www.investopedia.com/top-consumer-discretionary-stocks-june-2023-7509733) normally increases or decreases as the economy grows or weakens. And since consumers typically purchase non-essential goods when they have discretionary income, anything else that threatens that income, such as lower wages or increasing prices, may also affect stock values.

Here are several widely recognized consumer discretionary stocks, in addition to those mentioned above,

*   Toyota Motor Corp. ([TM](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=TM))
*   HIlton Worldwide Holdings ([HLT](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=HLT))
*   H&R Block ([HRB](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=HRB))
*   Autozone Inc. ([AZO](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=AZO))
*   Macy's ([M](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=M))
*   Thor Industries ([THO](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=THO))

### Consumer Discretionary Industries

The [consumer discretionary sector](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/050416/consumer-discretionary-sector-industries-snapshot.asp) consists of a variety of industries that can be sensitive to changing economic conditions and bellwethers of consumer spending. The companies included in these industries react and adjust to changes in consumer discretionary income and purchases of non-essential products and services.

Industry performance is a useful gauge of trends in consumer spending. Consumer discretionary industries tend to thrive when people feel confident about income and spending is strong.

The consumer discretionary sector's manufacturing segment includes automotive, household durable goods, textiles & apparel and leisure equipment. The services segment includes hotels, restaurants and leisure facilities, media production and related services, and consumer retailing and services.

Here are the industries in the consumer discretionary sector.

*   Auto Components
*   Automobiles
*   Distributors
*   Diversified Consumer Services
*   Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure
*   Household Durables
*   Internet & Direct Marketing Retail
*   Leisure Products
*   Multiline Retail
*   Specialty Retail
*   Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

## What Does "Consumer Discretionary" Refer to?

The term describes products and services that are desirable for consumers, but not essential to their daily living. In other words, rather than having to buy these products because they are necessities, they have the freedom to decide—the discretion—to purchase them, or not. Consumer discretionary purchasing usually increases when consumers have more money to spend.

## How Do Consumer Staples Relate to Consumer Discretionaries?

While consumer discretionary products are non-essential items that consumers typically can choose to buy when money is plentiful, [consumer staples](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/consumerstaples.asp) are items that consumers feel are essential to their daily living. These are such things as toilet paper, food, beverages, medicine, toothpaste, and gas. People reduce spending on consumer discretionaries and focus on consumer staples as the economy weakens

## What Are Some Examples of Consumer Discretionary Companies?

Some of the companies in consumer discretionary industries include Amazon.com Inc., Starbucks, Ford Motor Company, eBay, Tractor Supply Company, McDonald's, The Home Depot, Marriott International, and Domino's Pizza.

## How Can I Invest in Consumer Discretionary Companies?

You can buy the stocks of companies found in the various industries within the consumer discretionary sector. For convenience and diversification purposes, you can buy a mutual fund that invests in them, such as the Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund Admiral Shares. Additionally, you can purchase an exchange-traded fund that follows the sector, such as the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR® Fund.

## The Bottom Line

The term "consumer discretionary" refers to non-essential products and services that consumers tend to purchase when the economy is strong, consumer confidence is positive, and individuals have discretionary income to spend.

The consumer discretionary sector of the economy consists of manufacturing and services industries with consumer discretionary companies. Normally, these companies and their industries are sensitive to changing economic conditions.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  The Conference Board. "[US Consumer Confidence Bounced Back in December](https://www.conference-board.org/topics/consumer-confidence)."
>     
> 2.  Bureau of Economic Analysis. "[Personal Income](https://www.bea.gov/data/income-saving/personal-income)."
>     
> 3.  Bureau of Economic Analysis. "[Full Schedule](https://www.bea.gov/index.php/news/schedule/full)."
>     
> 4.  State Street Global Advisers. "[The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR® Fund](https://www.ssga.com/us/en/individual/etfs/funds/the-consumer-discretionary-select-sector-spdr-fund-xly)."
>     
> 5.  State Street Global Advisers. "[The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR® Fund](https://www.ssga.com/us/en/individual/etfs/funds/the-consumer-staples-select-sector-spdr-fund-xlp)."