Best Non-Woke Companies to Invest in

Woke ideology has become a media mainstay since the mid-2010s. The word was also used in the 1900s, but not to the same intensity as it is now. While challenges to woke ideology have had limited success in most years, meaningful pushback has emerged in 2023. Bud Light, Target and other companies have been facing backlash for making decisions and offering products that appeal to the woke ideology. The Sound of Freedom outperforming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is one of many examples of a changing cultural dynamic. Investors look to profit from changing consumer sentiment, and individuals who want exposure to non-woke companies may want to consider these investments.

Investors saw what happened to Bud Light’s stock price in 2023, and Target recently reported declining revenue and cut its guidance. While wokeness is one factor in play, some investors want to invest in non-woke companies to diversify their portfolios and minimize risk. 

Exxon Mobil has been in the crosshairs of woke activists for several years. The company makes its money from oil, which directly contradicts climate activists’ desires for an end to fossil fuels. Exxon Mobil continues to tap into its business model, much to the benefit of investors.

Shares have gained almost 20% over the past year and are up by roughly 40% over the past five years. The company pays a reliable dividend that yields roughly 3.35%. Exxon Mobil also has a P/E ratio under 9. Oil cuts and shortages would raise gas prices and reward long-term investors.

Few companies have embraced the non-woke movement as much as Fox. The news network regularly runs segments that criticize woke ideology. Fox News is the largest mainstream outlet that goes against the woke narrative, but many viewers weren’t happy about Tucker Carlson getting fired.

Although Fox is no stranger to controversy, its stock has done well this year. Shares are up by 12% year-to-date, but it is only up by 6% over the past five years. Fox pays out a dividend to investors, and shares currently offer a 1.60% yield. The corporation has a forward P/E ratio below 10.

The Home Depot’s co-founder hasn’t been afraid to speak out against woke culture. Bernie Marcus blamed woke diversity on companies failing to hit the bottom line. 

Home Depot shares have been sluggish this year, only bringing in a 6% year-to-date gain. Shares are up by a more respectable 71% over the past five years. Home Depot investors also get to enjoy a 2.50% dividend yield and rapid dividend growth.

This year, the company hiked its quarterly dividend payout from $1.90 per share to $2.09 per share. That’s a 10% year-over-year improvement. In 2018, Home Depot distributed a dividend of $10.03 per share. The dividend has more than doubled over the past five years, while the share price has almost doubled within that same timeframe.

Oracle’s founder Larry Ellison has encouraged employees to leave their politics out of work and raised money for Trump’s 2020 Presidential Campaign. Employees threatened to walk away from the company in 2020, but that did not deter Ellison from contributing to the campaign.

Oracle has rewarded long-term investors nicely, with a 142% gain over the past five years. The company is also up by over 40% year-to-date. The software company offers services in cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, software management, and other areas. 

Oracle’s exposure to high-growth industries has helped the company reward shareholders and pay out a steady dividend. The yield currently sits at 1.35%, and the company has a 38 P/E ratio.

Oracle only raises its dividend once every two years, but the dividend hikes are exceptional. The company raised its quarterly dividend per share from $0.32 to $0.40 in 2023. That represents a 20% increase over the past two years.

Tesla’s status as a woke or non-woke company depends on how you feel about Elon Musk and electric vehicles (EVs). On the one hand, Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover has given anti-woke content less censorship on the platform. On the other hand, EVs are a major talking point among climate activists who want the world to stop relying on fossil fuels. Tesla was the leader in making EVs mainstream, and many automakers are following in Tesla’s footsteps.

Although investors may have different ideas of Tesla’s status, its revenue and earnings growth are impressive. Tesla has double-digit profit margins fueled by double-digit revenue and earnings growth. The company is well-positioned to thrive in the long run, but price cuts, growing competition, macroeconomic condition and a 68 forward P/E ratio are some of the risks to keep in mind.

Tesla has been quite the ride for investors over the years, and it has surprised the deepest skeptics. Past results do not guarantee future success, but most long-term investors have been happy so far.  

The anti-woke movement is gaining momentum as more consumers become comfortable with challenging woke ideology. The Bud Light boycott has been one of the most successful anti-woke fueled boycotts to date. The company’s share price fell sharply, and sales haven’t recovered. A notable segment of Bud Light’s previous customers has given new brands a try. Investors who believe this trend may become more common can benefit from putting their capital into anti-woke companies that insulate them from this risk. Anti-woke companies can also gain value as consumers seek viable alternatives to companies that lean on woke ideology. 

Investors have to do considerable research to find non-woke companies and good investment opportunities. However, you also have to choose the right broker for your stock trading. These are some of the top brokers to consider.

Some investors are looking for ways to protect their portfolios from a Bud Light moment. Some individuals have also become more aware of companies that contradict or align with their values. The anti-woke movement has created a stir that has impacted companies’ bottom lines and public perception of products and services. Investors may want to monitor this movement to see how it affects the stock prices of other companies.