Consumer staples stocks, represented by the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund ($XLP), have shown significant strength amid a broader market downturn. This sector, which includes companies like Hershey ($HSY), Campbell Soup ($CPB), and Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ), has outperformed other sectors, with many stocks within the sector gaining over 4% in recent trading sessions. The relative strength of $XLP compared to the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund ($XLY) reached a 4-month high, marking its best day since early August 2024. Since President Trump's inauguration, $XLP has risen by 5.5% while $XLY has fallen by the same percentage, indicating a significant shift in investor sentiment towards more defensive sectors. This period has seen the biggest outperformance of consumer staples over consumer discretionary since last August. This trend towards consumer staples is seen as a signal of investor caution, as these sectors tend to perform better during economic slowdowns due to their provision of essential goods and services. The sector's strength is also evident in the performance of individual stocks like Mondelez International ($MDLZ), Kraft Heinz ($KHC), and Altria ($MO), which have all seen gains in the recent market environment.