How To Trade New Year’s Resolutions

That will certainly be the most common decision made by Americans as the calendar flips into 2014, whether it’s a conscious one or not. Because the stats don’t lie…
 
Currently, two-thirds of adults (and nearly one in three children) are overweight or obese, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.
 
No wonder “losing weight” is the most popular New Year’s resolution year in and year out.
 
Always the opportunist, I find myself wondering if this is a tradable phenomenon. So I decided to dig into the numbers to find out.
 
Let’s just say that the results were more shocking than the number of people who actually keep their New Year’s resolutions.
 
‘Tis the Season
The sudden urge to slim down each New Year definitely boosts sales for leading weight-loss companies, NutriSystem, Inc. (NTRI) and Weight Watchers International, Inc. (WTW).
 
Their first-quarter sales have improved sequentially over the past six years – by an average of 60.2% and 25.1%, respectively.

Now, plenty of companies witness such severe seasonality – particularly in the retail sector. And as investors come to expect it over time, this shouldn’t be an exploitable phenomenon.
 
Well, that’s where the shock comes in…
 
Another Market Myth Gets Busted
Over the last decade, both NutriSystem and Weight Watchers averaged gains in the first three months of the year. And February and March represent particularly positive months, meaning the strong sales results coincide with strong stock returns.
 
(Consider this the latest proof that efficient market hypothesis is total bunk.)


Now, what about the inconsistent performance during the middle of the year? Well, it’s hardly coincidental…
 
After all, 36% of Americans give up on their New Year’s resolutions within one month, 54% cry uncle within six months, and only a pathetic 8% keep their resolutions all year, according to research out of the University of Scranton.
 
Essentially, as more customers bail – forcing the companies to adjust sales guidance – investors head for the exits, too.
 
Like clockwork, though, investors return near the end of the year in anticipation of a new crop of weight-loss resolutions.
 
Again, this stock market seasonality shouldn’t exist. But it does, making now an attractive time to consider entering a position.
 
Careful, though! Only one of these stocks represents a solid investment.
 
Choose Wisely
All signs point to NutriSystem being the best bet.
 
It averages positive returns 66% of the time in the first quarter of the year, compared to 43% for Weight Watchers.
 
February is historically the best month for the stock, with positive returns an impressive 90% of the time over the last decade.
 
A quick glance at the fundamentals seals the deal.
 
NutriSystem might be trading at a higher valuation than Weight Watchers, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 25.7 versus 11.2. But it’s deserved.
 
Analysts expect the company to boost sales and profits by 15% and 65%, respectively, next year. In comparison, Weight Watchers is expected to witness an 8.5% decline in sales and almost a 10% decline in profits in 2014.
 
Bottom line: Self-improvement goes hand in hand with the New Year. And profits can, too, now that you know how to cash in on Americans’ inability to commit.

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