3 Ways to Reduce Risk in Your Canadian Stock Portfolio

Badger Daylighting Ltd. (TSX: BAD) and two other stocks may be getting overlooked by investors seeking secure stocks ahead of a downturn.

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When a global investment management firm like Goldman Sachs starts getting cold feet about the U.S.-China trade outlook, it’s probably time to start taking notice. “We expect tariffs targeting the remaining $300 billion of U.S. imports from China to go into effect,” the bank has warned clients, essentially nixing the idea of a Sino-American trade deal before late 2020.

Fear is stalking the markets, and the prospect of a U.S.-led recession is starting to gain mainstream attention.

Three “safe” areas to keep your wealth protected

A darkening outlook for the global economy will have investors reaching for gold and utilities, but are they overlooking the wonderful stock that is Badger Daylighting (TSX: BAD)?

Tedium is king in a turbulent economy, and this excavation ticker fits the bill just right. Having gleaned an extra 30% of upside since May, and packing a recession-ready punch with its extremely healthy balance sheet and great outlook.

Add this stock to a recession portfolio not only for its for its dividend yield of 1.38%, but also for its huge growth potential in the United States.

For a mix of defensive passive income and a penetrating business model, Badger Daylighting is a solid buy that could weather even a fairly severe downturn.

From food to finance, these sectors are solid

While regulated utility stocks are a go-to for spooked investors, agri supplies may get overlooked despite the fact that people still need to eat during a recession.

That’s why Nutrien (TSX: NTR)(NYSE:NTR) is a top choice for a downturn-hardy stock portfolio. Pumping out 26 million tons of potash, nitrogen and phosphate, the mining-cum-food stock also represents over 1500 retail outlets spread across seven countries.

A dividend is on offer, meaning that investors taking a long position can cream the passive income (to the tune of 3.57%) while waiting to cash in.

Being diversified across its mining and retail operations, Nutrien can offer a bit of extra stability to spooked investors looking for a stock to hide – and grow – their cash during even a potentially deep correction.

Money makes the world go round, as they say, and the planet won’t simply stop turning just because the markets have crashed.

That’s why big business is pretty much always a good area to invest in, with global holding companies like Power Financial (TSX: PWF) exhibiting enough clout to keep your wealth relatively safe even when the wolves are at the door.

From Great-West Life to IGM Financial, Power Financial’s holdings represent some of the very best investments that can be made in the world of Canadian finance.

The bottom line

At the end of the day, investment is often an emotionally-driven pursuit, and one’s disposition towards the future has a large bearing on how individuals purchase shares on the TSX.

There could well be a tipping point on the horizon that will demarcate the transition into a bear market, and with the threat of recession becoming a mainstream concern, investors will have to check what they’re holding and ask one question: Do you feel lucky?

Fool contributor Victoria Hetherington has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Nutrien and Badger Daylighting are recommendations of Stock Advisor Canada.

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