Stock FAQs

what is a defensive stock

by Melyna O'Conner Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Summary

  • Defensive stocks are also called non-cyclical stocks. They are expected to provide a steadier dividend and a constant share price.
  • Common defensive stocks are companies that produce necessities, such as utilities, healthcare, or consumer staples.
  • They act as safe assets that reduce portfolio variability and protect investors during recessions.

Defensive stocks also typically have dominant positions in huge markets with durable competitive advantages. They also tend to be the kinds of companies whose products and services are essential to people's everyday lives; thus, their stocks tend to hold up better when the economy slows.Jan 28, 2022

Full Answer

What is the best defense stock to buy?

Dec 24, 2020 · A defensive stock is a stock that provides consistent dividends and stable earnings regardless of the state of the overall stock market. There is a constant demand for their products, so defensive...

What are some examples of defensive stock?

Defensive stocks are stocks that tend to perform relatively the same regardless of the overall economic conditions in a country. In other words, they defend the investor's money in spite of a...

What are some good defensive stocks?

A defensive stock is a stock that provides stable long-term earnings through dividends. These stocks tend to have very low volatility and can provide slow but steady growth in terms of their share prices. They are companies with an established business …

How to find the best defensive stocks?

Apr 15, 2022 · Defensive stocks have proven their worth in the past. DataTrek Research found that the healthcare, utilities and staples sectors outperformed the S&P 500 by as much as 15 to 20 percentage points ...

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What are some examples of defensive stocks?

SummaryDefensive stocks are also called non-cyclical stocks. ... Common defensive stocks are companies that produce necessities, such as utilities, healthcare, or consumer staples.They act as safe assets that reduce portfolio variability and protect investors during recessions.

What is the best defensive stock?

Defensive Stocks To Watch Right NowCostco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST)FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX)The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG)General Motors Company (NYSE: GM)Feb 20, 2022

What are defensive stocks in a recession?

Defensive stocks are stocks who tend to be more impervious to losses of share price during an economic downturn as compared to cyclical stocks. Because defensive stocks don't follow the general cycles of the overall economy as much as cyclical stocks, defensive stocks are sometimes called non-cyclical stocks.

What is aggressive stock and defensive stock?

A company stock with beta greater than one is called an aggressive stock. If beta is less than one, the returns on the company stock are less volatile than the market return. A company stock with beta less than one is called a defensive stock.

Is Coca Cola a defensive stock?

A defensive stock is a stock that provides consistent dividends and stable earnings regardless of the state of the overall stock market. Well-established companies, such as Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Philip Morris International, and Coca-Cola, are considered defensive stocks.

Why buy defensive stocks?

For long-term, risk-averse investors, the steady nature and compounding dividends of defensive stocks are ideal for reaching their financial goals. Defensive stocks also typically have dominant positions in huge markets with durable competitive advantages.Jan 28, 2022

What should I invest in before recession?

4 investments to consider if a recession happensStock funds. A stock fund, either an ETF or a mutual fund, is a great way to invest during a recession. ... Dividend stocks. ... Real estate. ... High-yield savings account. ... Bonds. ... Highly indebted companies. ... High-risk assets such as options. ... Learn more:Mar 28, 2022

What goes up when the stock market crashes?

Bonds Often Rise When Stocks Fall As you are sure to have noticed, every financial advisor recommends adding bonds to your portfolio in various proportions, depending on your financial goals. Bonds often rise when stocks fall, which ensures that your investment is somewhat protected against dramatic market downturns.

What should I buy before the economic collapse?

5 Things to Invest in When a Recession HitsSeek Out Core Sector Stocks. During a recession, you might be inclined to give up on stocks, but experts say it's best not to flee equities completely. ... Focus on Reliable Dividend Stocks. ... Consider Buying Real Estate. ... Purchase Precious Metal Investments. ... “Invest” in Yourself.Oct 25, 2021

Is Berkshire Hathaway a defensive stock?

March 14 (Reuters) - The share price of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa. N) reached $500,000 for the first time on Monday, reflecting the company's status as a defensive stock in a market unsettled by events in Ukraine and rising inflation.Mar 14, 2022

What is a sensitive stock?

Key Takeaways. An interest sensitive stock is a stock that is especially influenced by changes in interest rates. Financial institutions, highly leveraged businesses, and companies that pay high dividends are all examples of interest sensitive stocks.

What are defensive sectors?

There are three main defensive sectors: Utilities, Consumer Staples, and Health Care. Utilities: Water, gas, and electric utilities are needed in all phases of the business cycle. Utilities are usually classified as US Large Value.

What is defensive stock?

A defensive stock is a stock that demonstrates relatively stable performance regardless of the current state of the economy. Defensive stocks are also called non-cyclical stocks, as they are less prone to the economic cycle. Economic Cycle The economic cycle is the fluctuating state of an economy from periods of economic expansion and contraction. ...

What are some examples of defensive stocks?

Examples of defensive stocks include utilities, such as electricity, water and heating, and essential household items, such as soap, detergent, and groceries.

What is VIX stock?

VIX. VIX The Chicago Board Options Exchange (C BOE) created the VIX (CBOE Volatility Index) to measure the 30-day expected volatility of the US stock market, sometimes called the "fear index". The VIX is based on the prices of options on the S&P 500 Index.

Why are defensive stocks low beta?

Defensive stocks usually come with a low beta because they are less affected by market swings. Defensive stocks also traditionally come from sectors that produce necessities or consumer staples. Consumers who purchase such goods or services.

What is economic depression?

Economic Depression An economic depression is an occurrence wherein an economy is in a state of financial turmoil, often the result of a period of negative activity based on the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate.

Is it better to invest in defensive stocks or aggressive stocks?

For investors who do not know much about the stock market, defensive stocks are a good option to start out. They allow investors to get a feel for the market first without requiring them to burn through their capital with more aggressive stocks.

Is AAL a cyclical stock?

In comparison, American Airlines (AAL) is an example of a cyclical stock that is highly affected by the economic cycle and was especially impacted by the pandemic.

Defending Your Money

There are plenty of investment strategies that can defend your money against serious loss. These include diversifying your stocks, placing your money in other assets like gold or real estate, or even just sticking to bonds and savings accounts. One part of this strategy is having a portfolio with a few defensive stocks in it.

What are Defensive Stocks?

Defensive stocks are stocks that tend to perform relatively the same regardless of the overall economic conditions in a country. In other words, they defend the investor's money in spite of a recession. Because defensive stocks don't mirror the overall cycles of the economy as much as cyclical stocks, they are also known as non-cyclical stocks.

Examples

Examples of defensive stocks include many that produce consumer staples, the products or services we really need. That means stocks in the following categories tend to be defensive stocks:

What is defensive stock?

A Defensive Stock is a stock that provides steady growth and earnings to the investors in the form of dividends irrespective of the state of the economy as it has a low correlation with the overall stock market/economy and is therefore insulated from changing business cycles. Business Cycles.

What are some examples of defensive stocks?

Power, Gas, and Water are generic examples of defensive stocks as it is a basic necessity to people of any economic class or background as they are required by the people during any phase of an economic cycle.

How does rising interest rate affect stocks?

Rising interest rates may deplete the company’s resources and affects its earnings as it pays more interest and may pay lesser dividends as it Profit after interest and taxes take a fall.

Do real estate companies have to pay dividends?

Besides, real estate companies need to pay a minimum amount of money as Dividends to its shareholders out of their taxable profits as a statutory requirement. While seeking these stocks that keep aside companies dealing in high-end flats, office building, or technology parks, which may see non-payment of Leases when the economy or business is low.

Is the return on investment low during a bullish market?

Although the return on investment may be low during a bullish market for defensive stocks, they provide a necessary hedge against a slide in returns in bearish markets as the demand for companies stocks providing defensive goods and services remains relatively stable in any given market condition.

Is dividend better than fixed income?

Interestingly, dividends perform better than fixed income bearing bonds and investments. Moreover, defensive stocks companies provide a greater return on investment (ROI) than the rate of inflation as demand for the goods and services of defensive stock companies always remain stable.

What is defensive stock?

Defensive stocks are stocks that provide relative stability, regardless of the current economy. These stocks generate regular dividends as a source of income. Share prices for defensive stocks tend to stay relatively stable over time. However, their dividend payments can balance out their slow share growth and returns.

Why are defensive stocks considered non cyclical?

Experts often refer to defensive stocks as non cyclical stocks. This means that they tend to perform well regardless of the economy. Alternatively, cyclical stocks typically only do well when the economy is performing well overall.

Is Coca Cola a defensive stock?

Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) Coca-Cola is one of the most well-known defensive stocks on the market. They’re one of the most recognizable consumer goods companies in the world, with over 500 beverage brands available globally.

Is Coty a penny stock?

Portfolio diversity is always helpful for cash flow, especially during a recession. Coty is a penny stock, so investors should be aware of potential volatility when purchasing this stock.

Is defensive stock good for a recession?

Defensive stocks are also great for new investors that may be hesitant about taking risks with their money.

Does Kroger have a dividend?

Kroger also offers a 2.26 percent dividend. Their current share price is also very affordable, especially given the brand’s current market performance. While their prices have gone up and down slightly over the past year, they’ve been relatively unaffected by the pandemic and the market crash.

Is FedEx a defensive company?

Delivery services have become essential for so many people, and FedEx is now considered defensive.

How to buy defensive sector mutual funds?

You can purchase defensive sector mutual funds or ETFs through a brokerage or investment firm. But before you incorporate these funds into your portfolio, determine your asset allocation, or the division of your money into different asset classes like stocks and bonds.

What is defensive sector fund?

Defensive sector funds refer to mutual funds or ETFs that primarily or exclusively invest in the stock of companies that make goods and services that consumers buy through all phases of the economic cycle . So, unlike cyclical sectors like financial services, which are highly dependent on the economic cycle, defensive or non-cyclical sectors like ...

Why are consumer staples considered defensive?

Consumer staples: Consumer staples, also known as consumer non-cyclical stocks, are characterized as defensive because they tend to maintain more price stability in a down market than cyclical stocks like financial services companies or furniture manufacturers. 1  During an economic decline, consumers still need staples, such as cereal and milk, and may even increase their consumption of so-called " sin stock " products, such as cigarettes and alcohol. 5  Knowing this, some investors buy defensive sector funds such as Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) when they believe a recession will occur.

Why are defensive sector funds so effective?

Defensive stock funds can minimize risk and losses in the value of your portfolio during economic declines. But these funds can still lose value during a market correction or bear market. For this reason, defensive sector funds are most effective when you use them as one part of a diversified portfolio of mutual funds.

Why is healthcare a defensive sector?

Health care is a defensive sector because these companies offer products or services that consumers will likely continue to buy in difficult economic times. After all, health is a high priority, and people still visit doctors and refill prescriptions in hard times.

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Identifying Defensive Stocks

  • Beta measures a stock’s volatility in relation to the overall market. Defensive stocks usually come with a low beta because they are less affected by market swings. Defensive stocks also traditionally come from sectors that produce necessities or consumer staples. Consumers who purchase such goods or servicesProducts and ServicesA product is a tang...
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Why Invest in Defensive Stocks?

  • 1. Helps reduce portfolio volatility
    The defensive stock in many portfolios acts to reduce portfolio volatility. During economic recessions, investors will rely on defensive stocks to protect them from further losses. Defensive companies also provide a high dividend yield in a bear market, which makes it an attractive addit…
  • 2. Serves as a viable option for less experienced investors
    For investors who do not know much about the stock market, defensive stocks are a good option to start out. They allow investors to get a feel for the market first without requiring them to burn through their capital with more aggressive stocks. For the risk-averseRisk Averse DefinitionSom…
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Practical Example

  • The 2020 coronavirus pandemic’s caused substantial volatility with large stock market drops, causing many investors to panic. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), S&P 500, and Nasdaq plunge throughout the pandemic, defensive stocks become a safe haven for fearful investors. B&G Foods Inc (BGS)is an example of a defensive stock that’s been able to offer a sta…
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Related Readings

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List of Defensive Sector Stock

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These stocks are hedged from the uncertainty factors in the business cycles of the market and economy. The following is the list of defensive sector stocks. You are free to use this image on your website, templates etc, Please provide us with an attribution linkHow to Provide Attribution?Article Link to be Hyperlinked For eg: So…
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Example of Defensive Stock

  • Consider a stock with a BetaBetaBeta is a financial metric that determines how sensitive a stock's price is to changes in the market price (index). It's used to analyze the systematic risks associated with a specific investment. In statistics, beta is the slope of a line that can be calculated by regressing stock returns against market returns.read more 0.6. If the market is expected to dro…
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Advantages

  • The greatest advantage an investor gains through defensive stocks is a balanced portfolio of low beta stocks coupled with some non-defensive high beta stocks to give him steady and safe returns over a period of time as these stocks balance the risk of a portfolio of stocks comprising of high and low beta stocks making a conservative portfolio. The ...
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Disadvantages

  1. #1 – Defensive  Stocks can Slide Low– They can slide up or down like any other stocks. The reasons behind their slide being geopolitical, economic, or industry factors. Interestingly, these stocks...
  2. #2 – Interest Rate Factor – Defensive Stocks may be sensitive to rising interest rates. When interest rates rise, other securities like corporate bondsCorporate BondsCorporate Bonds ar…
  1. #1 – Defensive  Stocks can Slide Low– They can slide up or down like any other stocks. The reasons behind their slide being geopolitical, economic, or industry factors. Interestingly, these stocks...
  2. #2 – Interest Rate Factor – Defensive Stocks may be sensitive to rising interest rates. When interest rates rise, other securities like corporate bondsCorporate BondsCorporate Bonds are fixed-incom...
  3. #3 – The Inflation Factor– Even if the companies raise their dividend rates, although many don’t, the rise may be small. If income is of prime concern, then the investor needs to be aware. Rising i...

Conclusion

  • Although the return on investment may be low during a bullish market for defensive stocks, they provide a necessary hedge against a slide in returns in bearish markets as the demand for companies stocks providing defensive goods and services remains relatively stable in any given market condition. It not only provides a steady income stream but also provides a conservative …
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Recommended Articles

  • This has been a guide to Defensive Stock and its definition. Here we discuss the list of defensive sector stocks along with an example, advantages and disadvantages. You can learn more from the following articles – 1. Scorched Earth Policy 2. Loan Stock 3. Risk Tolerance 4. Mid-Cap Stocks
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