Recession Proof Stocks
Low-beta stocks in defensive sectors that historically hold value and dividends through recessions. Essential businesses with inelastic demand.
50 stocks found
Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.
MidCap Financial Investment Corporation
American Coastal Insurance Corp.
Formula Systems (1985) Ltd. American Depositary Receipt
Golub Capital BDC, Inc.
Brookfield Property Partners L.P. 6.50% Class A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, Series 1
Conagra Brands Inc.
Ares Capital Corporation
Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.
CrossAmerica Partners L.P.
Dorchester Minerals, L.P.
Embotelladora Andina S.A. ADR
Diana Shipping Inc
Amerisafe Inc.
Usa Compression Partners L.P.
Adams Natural Resources Fund Inc. Common Stock
Blackrock Health Sciences Trust
John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund
Frontline plc
Telefónica S.A. Sponsored ADR
CTO Realty Growth, Inc.
Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund Common Shares of Beneficial Interest Par Value $.01
Embotelladora Andina S.A. ADR
Arch Capital Group Ltd. 5.45% Non-Cumulative Preferred Shares, Series F
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.
Allstate Corp-The
Cal-Maine Foods Inc.
Universal Corporation
Hartford Financial Services Group Inc-The
Sunoco L.P.
Concentrix Corporation
International General Insurance Holdings Ltd.
National Health Investors, Inc.
Safety Insurance Group Inc.
Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais S.A. Sponsored ADR
Kearny Financial Corp.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. American Depositary Receipt
Hormel Foods Corporation
Edison International
Columbia Banking System, Inc.
H&R Block Inc.
Afya Ltd.
Molson Coors Beverage Company
Aegon N.V.
Vaalco Energy Inc.
Cricut, Inc.
JSC Kaspi.kz American Depositary Receipt
Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras S.A. Preferred ADR
First Community Bankshares Inc.
Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. ADR
Frequently Asked Questions
What stocks are recession proof?
Recession-resistant stocks are in sectors with inelastic demand — consumption that barely changes during economic downturns. Key recession-proof sectors: utilities (electricity, water, gas that people always pay for), consumer staples (food, beverages, household products), and healthcare (medicines and hospital visits don't wait for economic recovery). These sectors have betas below 0.7 because investors rotate into them during downturns.
Did defensive stocks hold up in past recessions?
Yes. During the 2008-2009 financial crisis, the S&P 500 fell 57%. The Consumer Staples ETF (XLP) fell only 28%. Utilities (XLU) fell 36%. Healthcare (XLV) fell 32%. Defensive dividend stocks also maintained or grew their dividends during the crisis, providing income while growth portfolios were destroyed.
What is a defensive stock?
A defensive stock maintains relatively stable earnings and dividends through economic cycles. Key characteristics: low beta (< 0.8), products with inelastic demand, and predictable recurring cash flows. The classic defensive triumvirate is consumer staples, utilities, and healthcare.
Should I move entirely to defensive stocks before a recession?
Timing recessions is notoriously difficult — even professional economists fail consistently. Most advisors recommend a permanent 25-35% defensive allocation rather than trying to time market cycles. Defensive dividend stocks year-round reduce portfolio volatility without sacrificing all bull market gains.
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