increased risk exposure of some in their investments.
As we continue to see the markets rise, he questions whether now is the
time to consider what might happen if there is a correction. This is
not a case of "take the money and run", but to check that you have some
deeply defensive stocks that will more likely hold their own if the
major indices slump badly.
He suggests five stocks that he believes will give you some protection should this happen.
- Abbott Labs (ABT) plays the field by selling hundreds of products to a range of customers. Abott Labs will never be a rocket ship but sales have never fallen in any of the past 20 years. 40 years of dividend payments
- Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is an agricultural titan that can weather the price fluctuations inherent in this market. Currently analysts think that margins will be in their favor. 36 years of dividend payments
- Verizon (VZ) has done a good job of moving from wired to a wired and wireless business. These are products that will be around for ever -- even in hard times, none of us are likely to disconnect our wireless or wired data and voice services. 7 years of dividend payments
- Loews (L) insurance is broadly diversified so that it is
insulated from the vagaries of any one particular insurance niche. Loews
also owns a hefty slate of energy assets, and the stock's current
market value is lower than the book value. 19 years of dividend payments
- Southern Co. (SO) is one of the stronger power utilities that has a strong history of dividend increases -- 10 years of dividend payments
I think it is timely as we enter the second quarter, to consider whether it is appropriate to add some lower risk stocks and evaluate their performance against our ETF dividend bearing portfolio: