Key Points For the last few years, consumer staples have badly underperformed growth stocks. A number of low-cost sector ETFs provide an easy way to invest in consumer staples. The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund looks like a better choice than others. 10 stocks we like better than Select Sector SPDR Trust - The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund › The consumer staples sector is roughly flat year to date compared to a 15%-plus return for the S&P 500. Chock-full of stodgy companies, ...