5 Stocks to Buy That Love the Current Strong US Dollar

By Lee Jackson Published Mar 23, 10:15AM EDT

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Much of the pre-announcement news and guidance for first-quarter earnings, which are right around the corner, is companies warning of the dreaded “currency headwinds.” What that means in simple terms is that these are companies that sell a ton of product overseas, and as the dollar has strengthened against the currencies of the countries they are selling into, the price of the products are ratcheted higher.

The portfolio strategy team at Oppenheimer has scanned the universe of stocks that historically benefit from a higher dollar, many of which do the bulk of their business at home in the United States.

We screened the Oppenheimer list for stocks that were rated Outperform at the firm and found these five that make good sense for investors to buy now: Discover Financial Services Inc. (NYSE: DFS), Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), Lowe’s Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW), Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Tractor Supply Co. (NASDAQ: TSCO).

Discover Financial Services

Discover Financial Services is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. The company issues the Discover card and operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations. It also operates PULSE, one of the nation’s leading ATM/debit networks, as well as Diners Club International.

Discover investors receive a 1.6% dividend. The Oppenheimer price target for the stock is $76, and the Thomson/First Call consensus price target is $70.25. Shares close trading Friday at $59.41.

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Kroger

Kroger had a monster 2014, up 64%, and the question for investors is can the supermarket giant continue its winning ways. Kroger is one of the world’s largest retailers, employing nearly 400,000 associates in 2,625 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names, including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s.

The company also operates 782 convenience stores, 326 fine jewelry stores, 1,330 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the United States.

Kroger investors are paid a 1% dividend. The Oppenheimer price target is posted at $80, and the consensus target is $79.87. The stock closed trading on Friday at $76.83 a share.

Microsoft

Microsoft remains a top technology pick, and a stock that may hold sizable upside in 2015. The software giant disappointed on earnings and was sold off pretty hard in the middle of January, and we have seen insiders recently start to acquire stock at current levels.

After an outstanding year in 2014, the sell-off in the stock gives investors a much better entry point into the venerable Silicon Valley firm. The company recently announced plans to start selling mobile phones and tablet computers in Africa that run on the U.S. company’s operating systems to tap surging demand for smart handsets on the continent. With its potential to beat what was perceived by Wall Street as somewhat disappointing guidance, investors may want to buy shares now in front on next month’s earnings report.

Microsoft shareholders are paid a 2.9% dividend. The Oppenheimer price target is $50, above the consensus target of $47.06. Shares closed Friday at $42.88 apiece.

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Lowe’s Companies

This home improvement company ranks the highest with consumers, and it also ranks high with the Oppenheimer analysts as they have the stock rated as a top pick. As spring is here, the company is poised to see the usual huge move by homeowners to spruce up and do their spring cleaning. A plethora of new and previously owned homes also generally see the highest purchasing rate in the spring and early summer, another big benefit to this top domestic home improvement retailer.

In a another very positive moves for shareholders, the board of directors for Lowe’s recently authorized a new repurchase program of $5 billion of the company’s common stock. This new repurchase program has no expiration date and adds to the previous program’s balance, which was $2.4 billion as of January 30, 2015.

Lowe’s shareholders are paid a 1.2% dividend. The Oppenheimer price target is set at $85, and the consensus target is $79. The shares closed Friday at $75.23

Tractor Supply

Tractor Supply is billed as the largest rural lifestyle retail store chain in the United States. It operates 1,382 stores in 49 states, and the stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers, and others who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses. The company’s stores are located primarily in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. It has also been one of the top retail stocks over the past six-year bull market run.

Tractor Supply investors are paid a small 0.7% dividend. The Oppenheimer price objective is $95, and the consensus figure is $92.80. The stock finished the day Friday at $88.94.

ALSO READ: Jefferies Analyst Bullish on Low-Cost Natural Gas Stocks

While the dollar’s strength may have peaked for the time being, it will continue to stay strong as countries around the world now look to weaken their own currencies with the kind of quantitative easing that was used in the United States.

About the Author Lee Jackson →

Lee Jackson has covered Wall Street analysts' equity and debt research and equity strategy daily for 24/7 Wall St. since 2012. His broad and diverse career, which included a stint as the creative services director at the NBC affiliate in Austin, Texas, gives him unique insight into the financial industry and world.

Lee Jackson's journey in the financial industry spans over 30 years, with nearly two decades as an institutional equity salesperson at Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, and Morgan Stanley. His career was marked by his presence on the sell side during pivotal Wall Street events, from the dot.com rise and bubble to the Long Term Capital Management debacle, 9/11, and the Great Recession of 2008. This is a testament to his resilience and adaptability in the face of market volatility.

Lee Jackson’s practical financial industry experience, acquired from a career at some of the biggest banks and brokerage firms, is complemented by a lifetime of writing on various platforms. This unique combination allows him to shed light on the intricacies and workings of Wall Street in a way that only someone with deep insider experience and knowledge can. Moreover, his extensive network across Wall Street continues to provide direct access for him and 24/7 Wall St., a privilege few firms enjoy.

Since 2012, Jackson’s work for 24/7 Wall St. has been featured in Barron’s, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, Business Insider, TradingView, Real Money, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Benzinga, and other media outlets. He attended the prestigious Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and has a degree in broadcasting from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.