On days when the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 200 points or more, we generally look at the defensive stock sector to see if these are holding up.  Many investors want equity exposure, and it is the defensive stock sectors of food, beverage, basic consumer products, tobacco, and others with their high dividends which often fall far less than the broad market.  Some even rise.

Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA (NYSE: BUD) is up 0.25% at $52.84 and the 52-week range is $49.05 to $64.77.

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) is FLAT at $26.81 and the 52-week range is $23.20 to $28.13; Reynolds American Inc, (NYSE: RAI) is up 0.3% at $37.60 and the 52-week range is $29.05 to $39.87.

Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB) is up 0.7% at $32.59; 52-week range is $29.69 to $36.99.  ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) is down “only” 0.4% at $24.12; 52-week range is $21.02 to $26.60.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) is up $0.03 at $71.04; 52-week range is $61.00 to $71.78.  Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) is up $0.05 at $63.23; 52-week range is $57.56 to $67.72.

Sometimes a little win or a small loss feels like a big victory.  With just under an hour until the market close, the DJIA is down almost 200 points at 10,720 and the closest handle on the S&P 500 down almost 2.1% is 1,108.  Another day, another bunch of lost dollars for the public.

JON C. OGG

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