As Recession Fears Grow, 15 Stocks to Survive a Stock Market Correction

This is America’s largest pure-play water utility, serving drinking water, treating wastewater and other related services to roughly 14 million people in 45 states. The reality is that people are going to drink water, use water at home for food and cleaning, and shower every day.

American Electric Power is a major electric utility in America and has operated for more than 100 years. At last look, it served nearly 5.4 million regulated electricity customers in 11 states, and it uses nearly all sources of energy to produce electricity.

Clorox may not be as large as some of its consumer products competitors, but the company has operated for more than 100 years and markets many consumer goods outside of its cleaning and bleach products, including household chemicals, petcare products, water filtration, food, and so on. Its shares soared more than 40% from trough to peak in 2018 — proof that it can withstand rocky markets. The shares previously pulled back in 2019.

Dating back to the late 1800s, Coca-Cola is perhaps the most widely recognized beverage maker in the world. The company has increased its beverage choices outside of soda drinks over the years, adding water, sports drinks, health drinks, tea, coffee, and so on. Revenues are expected to grow to $33 billion in 2019, an increase of more than 5%. Its shares have pulled back so far in 2019 after a disappointment in earnings.

The nation’s most dominant dollar store retailer turned in positive gains in 2018, and it continues to find new niche geographies in which to open new stores. It dates back to before World War II during the Great Depression, and it has now expanded to offer higher priced goods with more than 15,000 stores in 44 states. Dollar stores proved to have a strong business model during and after The Great Recession a decade ago. Its shares pulled back handily in March on earnings but have since recovered.

Duke Energy is one of America’s largest electric utilities by coverage and by market cap. It also provides gas and infrastructure services to consumers and organizations alike. It had roughly 7.6 million electricity customers in six states at last count. The company’s annual revenue is nearing $25 billion.

Household name Johnson & Johnson produces and markets not only consumer products, but also drugs and other medical products and devices, meaning it is diversified enough to withstand good times and bad. A recent wave of bad news relating to asbestos in talcum powder has kept a cloud over J&J, but the company has a long history of overcoming and surviving any hiccup that come its way. Revenues are expected to rise be close to 2% to almost $83 billion in 2019.

Kimberly-Clark is one of the world’s best-known consumer brands companies, with products in personal care, tissues, soaps, paper towels, and so on, many of which familiar household names. Revenues have been flat, but shares performed well during much of the stock market malaise in late 2018 and again into 2019.

The home of the Golden Arches has made major changes to its menu and food quality, and it has become as defensive as you can get for a fast food company. McDonald’s has made efforts to sell higher quality food to attract younger people, and it is still more than affordable as a place to feed a whole family.

The Big Pharma giant was the Dow’s top stock in 2018, with a gain of more than 35% on the year. While many pressures exist regarding drug prices and patent expirations, Merck’s reputation has been boosted by a strong pipeline of drugs, including the cancer treatment Keytruda. While the risks mentioned might put pressure on the stock, Merck more than proved it was a top defensive stock throughout 2018. Merck has continued to deliver upside in 2019.

Pepsi is perhaps even more diversified than rival Coca-Cola because it has that giant snack food business on top of its carbonated beverages, water, and other drinks. The company is more than 100 years old and revenues are expected to increase by about 3% to roughly $66.5 billion in 2019.

Being the world’s largest consumer products company and selling soap, shampoo, diapers, and dozens of other recession-proof items seems to have its positives. Sales are expected to rise by 3% to almost $69 billion in 2019. The stock has continued to perform well since January in 2019 and recently hit an all-time high.

Verizon avoided the same extreme acquisition path as rival AT&T, and it is now considered much more defensive as it remains a pure-play among the top domestic cellular phone carriers. Verizon keeps hiking up its dividend each year, and it has expected revenue growth of 1% in 2019 to $132 billion.

With a retail climate disrupted by Amazon and other online competition, Walmart has the lead in brick-and-mortar stores by miles. Walmart is also targeting online sales, pick-up, and delivery. The company is now facing less pressure about wages and work conditions, and sales are expected to grow by almost 3% and reach nearly $530 billion in fiscal 2019.

Altria has been considered to be a top defensive stock for decades, but it is still being listed last for 2019 defensive stocks due to its very poor stock performance in 2018 and into earlier 2019. The good news is that its shares have handily recovered from their lows. Big Tobacco is still considered a key defensive industry when stock market volatility gets in the way. With investments into legalized marijuana, vaping, biotech, and chewing tobacco, Altria is planning to be in business in the decades ahead — even as the number of combustible cigarette smokers shrinks.