
Defensive stocks are those companies that provide a safe haven to investors throughout market cycles via paying constant dividends and producing stable quarterly earnings. Defensive stock companies typically produce products that are either vital or addictive to consumers, and therefore tend to weather an economic storm. Conversely, these companies do not necessarily outperform during market boom times because demand tends to remain steady rather than surge during a growing economy.
Function
Choosing to invest in defensive stocks is a way to expose a portfolio to less risk. It is also a strategy to generate steady quarterly income from dividend paying companies and to avoid the psychological and financial pitfalls that accompany market downturns. This is because consumers tend to continue to purchase staple items such as food and beverages for as long as possible, regardless of the economy, but may cutback in other areas, such as entertainment.
Types
Locating defensive stocks is about recognizing the brands that are used in your everyday life. Food stocks such as Kraft, Campbell Soup Company and packaged foods company Con Agra Foods, which produces such items as peanut butter, cooking oil and ketchup, are all considered defensive names.
Since consumers tend to continue to purchase these items regardless of economic conditions, this tendency fuels company sales and leads to steady performance. Other defensive sectors include pharmaceutical names such as medical and consumer products company Johnson & Johnson, in addition to drug company Merck. These companies are defensive because prescription and over-the-counter drugs remain vital necessities throughout economic cycles.
Expert Insight
Investing offers no guarantees but selecting stocks defensively has its benefits. Financial experts tout defensive stocks during times of market uncertainty. Jacob Schmidt, chief executive of Schmidt Research Partners, notes in a July 2009 interview on CNBC that during times of economic uncertainty investors should remain invested in defensive stocks. He says look for stocks that pay routine dividends and have little or no debt on their balance sheet. (See References 1)
Considerations
Consider the risks associated with investing in defensive names. An August 2009 Motley Fool article notes that throughout an economic recession, even defensive companies can lose stock value, although the declines tend to be less severe than what the broader markets experience. (See References 2) However, investors should keep in mind that consumers may also change their habits during market downturns. For instance, consumers may switch from brand name products to generic foods and medicine, and may cut out addictive items such as cigarettes and alcohol altogether. This may cut into sales at some defensive companies.
Identification
Losing weight and remaining healthy is something consumers may remain focused on regardless of economic conditions, which qualifies such companies as defensive. One particular weight loss company, Weight Watchers International, generates steady earnings while other sectors are struggling.
In August 2009, Weight Watchers revealed a 26 percent rise in its second quarter earnings. The company also exceeded Wall Street expectations for the quarter, according to Thomson Reuters expectations. (See References 3) And while the stock did come under some pressure between September 2008 and September 2009, Weight Watchers continued to pay investors dividends, which is a quarterly monetary reward to investors for remaining invested in the stock.
References
- Defensive Stocks versus Counter-Cyclical Stocks
- Weight Watchers Earnings
- Capital Group. "What’s a Defensive Stock in 2020?" Accessed March 24, 2020.
- UBS. "Cyclical and Defensive Sectors." Accessed March 24, 2020.
- Nasdaq. "3 Best Vanguard Funds for a Defensive Portfolio." Accessed March 24, 2020.
- Charles Schwab. "Market Correction: What Does It Mean?" Accessed March 24, 2020.
- The Journal of Portfolio Management. "Sin Stock Returns," Page 85. Accessed March 24, 2020.
- Fidelity Investments. "Compare Sector Characteristics." Accessed March 24, 2020.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Gold Prices During and After the Great Recession," Page 2. Accessed March 24, 2020.
- Investor.gov. "Beginners’ Guide to Asset Allocation, Diversification, and Rebalancing." Accessed March 24, 2020.
Writer Bio
Geri Terzo is a business writer with more than 15 years of experience on Wall Street. Throughout her career, she has contributed to the two major cable business networks in segment production and chief-booking capacities and has reported for several major trade publications including "IDD Magazine," "Infrastructure Investor" and MandateWire of the "Financial Times." She works as a journalist who has contributed to The Motley Fool and InvestorPlace. Terzo is a graduate of Campbell University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication.