"One favorite is Cincinnati-based Kroger (KR). He picked up the stock in the mid-teens, when concern about the threat that Wal-Mart posed to grocers was running high. "Forty percent of U.S. consumers shop at Kroger stores, week after week, regardless of the economy," he says, adding that "increasingly important and profitable private-label brands should continue to help the company stay relevant." The stock has been trading in the mid-20s." From Barron's 3-5-07 Issue

More recently, he purchased shares of Hershey (HSY), at 50. "Everyone is very concerned with slow growth in the chocolate category, as well as the commodity-cost [particularly sugar] headwind, but it is a high-quality and steady growth company," Costomiris says. The chocolatier's shares recently changed hands at 52.90. From Barron's 3-5-07 Issue

He sold Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) in June 2004 at about 30, but repurchased it around 20 the next month. He says the fears about child obesity and commodity prices have kept a lid on the stock, but that the "Coke system, including beverage maker Coca-Cola (KO) itself, are unveiling a new strategy that we feel should allow them to operate and price more efficiently." CCE has been trading at 19.94. Coke is trying to expand its existing light and diet brands in emerging markets. From Barron's 3-5-07 Issue

Another favorite: Del Monte Foods (DLM), which he bought in the single digits in '02. It "is very well-managed by an extremely cost-conscious team" he says: "It has had to outgrow almost $300 million in commodity-costs headwinds over the past several years." Del Monte recently was at 11.55. From Barron's 3-5-07 Issue

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