General Mills, Inc. (GIS), Kellogg Company (K), Post Holdings Inc (POST): Three Companies For Your Morning Breakfast Portfolio

While many investors pursue the latest tech fad or the latest IPO, the supplier of your morning cereal, fruit bars, and morning sausage patties is also a great investment. With breakfast items a vital part of a morning routine, these companies are not only a great investment for your diet, but also for your wallet.

Your Lucky Charms

With net sales increasing 7% to $17.8 billion, General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) has more than your average Wheaties in its portfolio. With the recently acquired Yoplait line, as well as staple brands such as Cheerios, Progresso Soup, and Pillsbury, General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) has a diversified portfolio for long-term growth. With net sales of $366.3 million for the quarter, up 55 cents per share, innovation and new product launches have driven bottom-line revenue upwards of $1.86 billion for the year.

Despite disappointing Wall Street estimates this week, with an adjusted earnings forecast for fiscal 2014, General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) still is a great deal. Part of those estimates were due to rising commodity prices for grain and other staples for cereal making, which decreases margins and strains bottom-line growth.

However, new acquisitions and product innovation have contributed to the success of General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS), along with higher sales volume and increased demand internationally. While core brands have remained strong, revenue has increased due to increasing investments in Yoplait Canada and Brazilian food company Yoki Alimentos. Recently, General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) announced the overhaul of Yoplait Greek yogurt, which will use the traditional straining process instead of a thickener, which adds value to the product line and growing sales in this trendy food.

The grrrrrrrrreat return on your investment

Kellogg Company (NYSE:K) has seen its share price rise 18% for the last year.   With broad brand diversification with names familiar to the household consumer such as Pop-Tarts,Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Cheez-It, and Morningstar Farms, it has expanded brand holdings for long-term bottom-line growth.

With expansion of product holdings, Kellogg Company (NYSE:K)‘s has pushed for bottom-line growth as well as top-line revenue from new products. Net sales grew 12.2% to $3.9 billion, and operating profit came in at $503 million in the last quarter due to product innovation. Kellogg Company (NYSE:K) continues to seek new ways to cut down on rising commodity costs and additionally increase operating margins.