Build Portfolio Defense with These 3 Buy-Rated Stocks

PG GIS TAP

Stocks in the Zacks Consumer Staples sector carry a defensive nature, as these companies’ products have an advantageous ability to generate consistent demand in the face of many economic situations.

Three top-ranked stocks from the realm – General Mills (GIS - Free Report) Molson Coors (TAP - Free Report) , and Procter & Gamble (PG - Free Report) – could all be considerations for investors looking to heighten their portfolio’s defense.

Let’s take a closer look at each one.

General Mills

General Mills is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer foods sold through retail stores. Analysts have taken their expectations modestly higher across the board, landing the stock into a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Shares have delivered market-beating gains over the last month, gaining 9% in value and widely outperforming relative to the S&P 500 thanks to better-than-expected quarterly results.

In fact, the company has regularly exceeded earnings expectations as of late, beating our consensus EPS expectations by an average of 7% across its last four releases. Shares could also interest income-focused investors, with GIS shares currently yielding a solid 3.4% annually.

Dividend growth is also apparent, with the company boasting a 4% five-year annualized dividend growth rate.

Molson Coors

With centuries of operations, Molson Coors delivers extraordinary brands that delight the world's beer drinkers. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), with earnings expectations creeping higher across the board.

Keep an eye out for the company’s upcoming quarterly release expected in early May, as consensus expectations currently allude to a 29% pop in earnings on 6% higher sales. And shares aren’t valuation stretched, with the current 11.8X forward 12-month earnings multiple nicely beneath the respective Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry average of 18.3X.

Better-than-expected quarterly results have given fuel to shares in back-to-back instances, as we can see illustrated below.

Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble, also commonly referred to as P&G, is a branded consumer products company. The stock presently sports a favorable Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Like TAP, better-than-expected quarterly results have pleased investors, with shares moving higher post-earnings in back-to-back instances.

The company’s shareholder-friendly nature can’t be overlooked, currently sporting a 6% five-year annualized dividend growth rate. Shares currently yield 2.3% annually paired with a payout ratio sitting at 59% of the company’s earnings.

Bottom Line

Consumer Staples stocks can heighten a portfolio’s defense, as these companies’ products generate reliable and consistent demand in the face of many economic situations.

In addition, many of these stocks pay dividends, undoubtedly a significant boost.

For those looking to shield themselves against volatility, all three stocks above – General Mills (GIS - Free Report) Molson Coors (TAP - Free Report) , and Procter & Gamble (PG - Free Report) – could all be of interest.

All three have seen their near-term earnings outlooks improve as of late, a major positive.

Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock

It's only 1/9,000th the size of NVIDIA which skyrocketed more than +800% since we recommended it. NVIDIA is still strong, but our new top chip stock has much more room to boom.

With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $803 billion by 2028.

See This Stock Now for Free >>