10 Recession-Proof Stocks To Invest In

When the country enters a recession, the stock market often takes a beating. But there are some stocks that do better than others when there’s an economic contraction. Keep reading to learn about some stocks that may fare better when times are tough.

See: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

What Is a Recession?

First, let’s define a recession. While there is no specific definition of a recession other than a decline in economic activity, the common definition is two consecutive quarters of decline in gross domestic product, or GDP. Stock prices typically fall during a recession, so it’s a good time to look for stocks that traditionally remain strong even when GDP falls.

What Stocks Do Best in a Recession?

The types of stocks that do better in a recession are typically those of companies that provide goods and services that are less price sensitive — in other words, things that people will buy even if they increase in price, or if the consumer fears losing their job.

These fall into industries like consumer staples, healthcare, utilities, grocery stores and discount retailers.

What Is the Safest Stock During a Recession?

Only hindsight can determine which stocks are safest during a recession, but here are some in each category that tend to fare well.

Consumer Staples

There are certain things that consumers will continue to buy regardless of their economic situation. And some consumer staples companies benefit from the tendency for people to eat at home rather than go out to restaurants. These two consumer staples stocks are well positioned in the event of a recession.

Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Co. (KO) is the largest nonalcoholic beverage company, with operations worldwide. It currently has a recommendation rating of 2.1 out of 5 — with 1 being “strong buy” — the best rating. According to Yahoo Finance, out of 25 analysts who’ve made a recommendation for October, 11 rate it a “strong buy” or “buy,” and 13 recommend holding the stock. One analyst rates it an underperforming stock.

Kraft Heinz

The Kraft Heinz Co. (KHC) is a food product conglomerate in which Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has a large position. In October, 14 out of 19 analysts following Kraft Heinz gave it a “buy” or “strong buy” recommendation and five recommended holding.

Healthcare

While cosmetic and elective healthcare procedures may be postponed during times of recession, the need for medical care is ongoing. Medical products and supplies, health insurance and medical equipment are all needed, regardless of the state of the economy. These companies should fare well in recessionary times.

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is the largest healthcare firm in the world, comprised of pharmaceutical, consumer and medical devices and diagnostics divisions. It’s a “dividend aristocrat,” which means it’s listed in the S&P 500 index and has at least a 25-year history of increasing dividends. As of Oct. 19, the stock was trading at $164.37 with a one-year target estimate of $185.19. On a scale from 1 to 5, the analyst consensus is 2.4.

UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) provides health insurance to 50 million members. The company is partnering with Walmart to provide value-based care on a number of fronts, including a co-branded Medicare Advantage plan and virtual care for certain UnitedHealthcare commercial members. The deal could expand its market considerably. Twenty-two analysts watching UNH rate it a “strong buy.” The stock price on Oct. 19 was $519.14, and the one-year target estimate is $595.09.

Utilities

Not only are utilities necessary, but most utility companies are monopolies in the areas they serve. This makes utility companies classic defensive stocks — that is, stocks that do well when the rest of the market doesn’t. Consider these utility stocks.

NextEra Energy

NextEra Energy Inc. (NEE) is the parent of Florida Power & Light Co. Its renewable energy segment generates and sells natural gas, nuclear, wind and solar power throughout the U.S. The stock traded at $73.01 on Oct. 19 and has a one-year target estimate of $97.30. The analysts’ recommendation rating is a 1.9, or “strong buy.”

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) is one of the country’s largest energy holding companies, delivering electricity to nearly 8 million customers and natural gas to more than 1.5 million. If you’re looking for income, Duke is a good choice, with a 4.43% dividend yield.

Grocery Stores

Groceries are a necessity, and grocery stores sometimes do better when the economy does worse since people tend to eat at home rather than go out to dine at restaurants. These grocery store stocks are worth a look.

Albertsons

Albertsons (ACI) is a food and drug retailer with over 2,200 stores in 34 states under brands like Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, United Supermarkets and more. The company declared a dividend of $0.12 per share, paid on Aug. 10 to shareholders of record as of July 26 of this year. Currently trading at $26.99, ACI has a 2.7 “buy” recommendation rating and a one-year price target of $33.28.

Casey’s General Store

Casey’s General Stores Inc. (CASY) operates over 2,400 convenience stores under the names Casey’s and Casey’s General Store. The company’s full-year profits and earnings have climbed steadily over the last several years, and the stock has a 2.2 “buy” rating. Analysts’ average one-year price target is $237.27. The stock, which has returned 7.5% year to date, closed at $211.27 on Oct. 19.

Discount Retailers

In a recession, consumers are always looking for a bargain. Discount retailers tend to do well since they offer products people need at a good price. Here are two discount retail stocks to consider.

Costco

Costco (COST) is the largest wholesale club in the U.S. with over 800 stores. Costco stock closed at $471.43 on Oct. 19 and has a one-year target estimate of $564.86.

Target

Target (TGT) has over 1,900 retail stores and offers household goods, apparel, food, beverages, health and beauty aids, and more, and an increasing online presence. Although most analysts — 18 out of 26 — are currently recommending it as a “hold,” the stock has a one-year target price estimate of $191.89 compared with its Oct. 19 closing price of $155.39.

What About Bonds?

Sometimes investors may ask, “What investments are recession-proof?” or “What goes up during a recession?” and the answer they get is “bonds.” This may or may not be true. Bonds typically move in the opposite direction of stocks, so they go up when stocks go down and vice versa. This is what makes bonds a good hedge for stocks — usually. But a recession is not the same thing as a bear market, which is when stocks drop.

Bonds, like stocks, are subject to the laws of supply and demand, and that is what governs their price. So while bonds may be a good investment in a recession, don’t assume that will always be true.

Daria Uhlig contributed to the reporting for this article.

Data was compiled on Oct. 19, 2022, and is subject to change. Information on analyst ratings was sourced from Yahoo Finance.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Recession-Proof Stocks To Invest In