Consumer stocks cut cyclical risk

Article Excerpt

Most defensive stocks are in the Consumer sector. That means they benefit from continuous, habitual use and have a steady core of sales, regardless of the economy and business cycles. Defensivestock companies typically make products such as soap, soup and beverages. More generally, Consumer stocks can provide the most effective protection against economic downturns. That’s a key difference between Consumer stocks and firms in the Manufacturing or Resource sectors. Unlike defensive stocks, they are far more sensitive to the ups and downs of the economic cycle. Consumer stocks with a long-term record of dividends, such as Newell Brands and Tupperware Brands Corp., cut your cyclical risk even more. more…