It’s been an incredibly difficult time for investors. After going through a pandemic and supply-chain issues affecting our way of life, we have this ongoing economic volatility. The market may be improving since November started, but just barely. We’re still fairly close to 52-week lows, and no one knows how long this will continue to drag on.
That’s why it’s still a great time to get defensive — not just right now but long term. And here are the best sectors and stocks to help you out.
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Utilities
If there is anything out there that’s essential, it’s utilities. These are the companies that power our very way of life, providing power to everything from the sink you turn on in the morning to powering up the computer you use at work.
This is why utility stocks surged when the market started to drop. Canadians wanted safety and flocked to the industry. However, they flocked too much and drove shares upwards, causing an overcorrection. Now, it’s a great time to buy once more.
When it comes to utility stocks, however, there are two I would consider the best defensive stocks. That’s Canadian Utilities (TSX: CU) and Fortis (TSX: FTS). These two defensive stocks have the longest history of dividend increases on the market. Both are Dividend Kings, with over 50 years of consecutive dividend increases.
This is an important note because it shows the company’s ability to fund those dividends with its strategic acquisitions. It’s able to identify opportunities for more revenue and use that revenue for growth in more revenue and dividends. You can now pick up both stocks for stable dividend income and provide your portfolio with great defensive stocks in the process.
Healthcare
We also learned during the pandemic that healthcare will always be essential as well. But this can indeed be a tricky sector. While some parts of healthcare are essential, others … not so much. We may not want to invest in a company creating drugs for lower blood pressure. But we will want to invest in a retail stock that provides everyday essentials.
That would include healthcare stock Jamieson Wellness (TSX: JWEL). The company is a healthcare retail stock that provides vitamins and mineral products to Canadians and has for years. It continues to be a defensive stock that investors should consider, especially with a 3.34% dividend yield to grab today. And with earnings around the corner, you could be in for a quick boost as well.
Consumer staples
When it comes to consumer staples, again, this can be tricky. There are certain items we are always going to need, but some aren’t as obvious as others. For instance, one thing consumers will now always need is software.
Granted, I’m not talking about the next big thing — a risky tech stock you could buy up and potentially grow. No, I mean software tycoon Constellation Software (TSX: CSU). This tech stock has proven its worth again and again, climbing steadily through recessions, downturns, and a pandemic to stay on top.
That’s because the company focuses on essential software we need for daily life. Because of this, it’s managed to achieve a large amount of revenue not just to invest in new acquisitions but also to create spinoff companies. That brings me to the other stock I would buy: Topicus.com (TSXV: TOI). This is like Constellation 2.0, but you’d be getting in on the ground floor. Furthermore, it provides the same structure and management team but in Europe.
You can see for yourself that investors continue to believe in both of these stocks’ strong futures. That’s why it and the rest of these defensive stocks can certainly help your long-term growth portfolio.
