General Mills (GIS)
General Mills is a household name, boasting more than 100 brands in 100 different countries on six continents. You’d be hard-pressed to find a supermarket aisle that doesn’t have at least one product from this multinational food manufacturer on its shelves.
The stock’s five-year beta is 0.6, meaning that’s about 40% less volatile than the overall market.
While General Mills’ pandemic sales boost is largely over — revenue increased just 3% in the most recent quarter — the shares have slid in recent weeks, providing dividend investors with a tasty opportunity.
Management anticipates consumers will continue to prepare meals at home at a higher rate compared to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting there will be even more opportunities for General Mills to meet evolving consumer needs.
When you couple that outlook with the stock’s attractive dividend yield of 3.5%, General Mills looks like a steady bet in uncertain times.
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Learn MoreVerizon Communications (VZ)
Verizon Communications is one of the world’s largest telecom companies, boasting roughly 94 million wireless retail connections, 7 million broadband connections, and 4 million Fios video connections.
The stock’s five-year beta is 0.5, displaying just half of the volatility as the overall market.
The company’s second-quarter report last month easily topped expectations, with management crediting its strong growth to an “increase in 5G phone adoption, customer and sequential wireless service revenue growth, and superior network reliability.”
Verizon now expects its 2021 total wireless service revenue to grow between 3.5% to 4% this year — up from estimates of just 3% earlier in the year. Management also increased its earnings guidance for the year.
Given Verizon’s attractive wireless tailwinds, strong operating momentum heading into the second half of the year, and a fat dividend yield of 4.5%, now might be an opportune time to pounce on this low-volatility play.
Costco (COST)
Like General Mills, Costco has experienced a rather sharp pandemic sales boom. Whether you need batteries or butter, canned chickpeas or clothing, Costco offers a one-stop shop for individuals wary of limiting their contact with others.
In the company’s most recent quarter, net sales improved 22% from the year-ago period to $44.4 billion.
The stock’s five-year beta is just 0.6, which is particularly impressive considering how well the stock has performed in recent years. Over the past five years, Costco shares have provided an average annual return of 23% versus just 18% for the S&P 500.
In other words, Costco shares have provided the perfect combination of both low risk and high returns.
As the Delta variant continues to fuel the country’s rising COVID case count, Costco will likely remain a go-to retailer for American shoppers — especially in its e-commerce segment, which has seen a 64% spike in sales.
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Learn MoreHow to get your share of these shares
The best way to invest in these companies will depend on your unique situation.
For those with a bit more cash to spare and are just getting started, working with a professional financial adviser can help you build a portfolio compatible with your risk tolerance and return objectives.
If you’re working with a smaller budget, you may want to use an investing app that allows you to buy “slices” of shares for big-name companies — especially one that comes with no fees or commissions.
Another low-budget option is using an app that allows you to invest with just your “spare change”, rounding up to the nearest dollar on all your purchases to help you build a diversified portfolio over time.
Whichever platform you choose, low-beta stocks can help defend (and grow) your portfolio over the long haul.
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