HRL data by YCharts Although inflationary headwinds in 2022 left Hormel -- like all companies in the consumer staples space -- working to protect its margins, that's likely to be a near-term problem, not a long-term one. When most investors are asked to identify growth stocks, Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL) probably isn't a name that first pops into their heads. Hormel also moved aggressively into charcuterie (several varieties of meats, cheeses, and crackers gathered in a single, easy-to-serve package), which has become an important grocery category.