You got to crawl out of bed 10 minutes before starting your work day. Sure, you might have had to put on a shirt or blouse for the occasional Zoom meeting. But below the belt, anything went.
Is there anybody reading this who can honestly say they didn’t spend a good few days working in pyjamas and slippers?
We know we did.
That said, the work from home (WFH) trend is on its way back out.
Offices are opening up and companies are expecting employees to readjust to the old normal, after spending so much time enjoying the new normal.
So, you’ve got to get kitted out.
That means new shirts, ties, trousers, skirts, and shoes.
It’s shoes we want to focus on in this article.
Your return to the office means you’re probably going to be cramming your feet into some uncomfortable footwear.
Self-medication for your feet will be a must, as it will be for the millions of other people in your position.
Why Should Investors Care About Feet?
We already gave you a clue in the intro:
Foot self-medication is big business.
There are a bunch of companies out there that provide products to soothe aching feet. And we’re willing to bet you’ve been using a few of those products yourself.
Several companies are going to make out like bandits thanks to uncomfortable office footwear.
That means investors have their choice of a few key stocks that may experience growth thanks to the global march back to the office.
GlaxoSmithKline PLC.
Let’s start with one of the most trustworthy self-medication stocks.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is already trading at enormous numbers, with a single stock currently setting you back $1,745.
However, this is one of the few companies in this sector that may not represent a buy, at least not immediately.
Analysts suggest the company’s stocks have a short-term price target of $1,761.92. While that’s an increase on its current price, it’s not exactly substantial.
Buyers may find that they’re better served looking elsewhere, if they want to benefit from the foot problems that will result from a return to the office.
However, people who already have GSK stock should probably hold for more favourable selling conditions.
Johnson and Johnson
Johnson and Johnson have a slightly more positive outlook in the short and medium term than GSK.
According to CNN’s analysts, the company’s 12-month price forecasts suggest it’s going to see a 4.09% increase in its stock’s prices, with the number going from $179.66 to a median target of $187.00.
There is potential for the stock to go as high as $215.00 during this period.
Analysts predict the company’s 2022 earnings will come in at $10.27 billion, which is a $400 million increase from its 2021 earnings. The 2023 forecasts suggest similar growth into the upper $10 billion range.
All of this means Johnson and Johnson is another good stock to hold, though it has a little more upside potential for buyers than GSK.
Bayer AG
Bayer AG may not be the first company you think of when it comes to feet. But Bayer controls Scholl’s Wellness Company, which is a major player in the self-medication sector.
Bayer has the most positive outlook of the three companies we’ve examined in this article.
The company’s stocks are currently trading at an under-priced $15.38, with analysts suggesting a 12-month price target of $82.25. That’s a 434.8% increase, which places Bayer AG firmly into the buy category.
Choose Wisely
Your feet may be feeling the pain but your investment strategy doesn’t have to. You just need to choose wisely when selecting the stocks you invest in over the coming months.
Right now, it looks like both GSK and Johnson and Johnson are steady, if not spectacular. Bayer AG appears to represent the biggest opportunity for you to hobble to the bank with a big stack of cash.
Note: Please do not invest money or assets in the financial markets that you cannot afford to lose. This article should not be construed to be investment advice and is for information purposes only