Recession-Proof Stocks: The Best Kinds of Stocks To Buy for a Recession
When seeking out the best kinds of stocks to buy for a recession, look for low-risk, low-volatility companies.

All investing involves a degree of risk. However, recessions can create the potential for even bigger problems for the typical investor. And the sad reality is that recessions can and do happen regularly.
As a result, "recession-proofing" your stock portfolio is a top priority for many low-risk investors. They want solid companies that stand up in any environment so their nest egg is protected against serious economic downturns.
So what are the best kinds of stocks to buy for a recession, and how can these stocks fit into a broader investment portfolio?

What is a recession?
A common definition of a recession is two consecutive quarters where the U.S. economy has been shrinking, as measured by the growth rate for gross domestic product (GDP).
This can also apply to other nations, the global economy, or even other financial metrics beyond GDP. For instance, some stock market analysts will refer to an "earnings recession" where the average growth rate of the largest stocks has been negative for two quarters in a row. The most recent earnings recession occurred in late 2022 through mid-2023.
Generally, a recession means a sustained decline rather than a short-term disruption or positive rates of growth.
Recessions can happen for many reasons – a global financial crisis like 2008, geopolitical unrest like the wars in Ukraine or Gaza or even a global pandemic. And while economists can sometimes detect waning momentum, unexpected events are often to blame. That can catch even the smartest businesses, consumers and investors by surprise.

The best kinds of stocks to buy for a recession
Whether you're worried about troubles in the short term or you simply want a resilient portfolio that stands up to the unexpected, your approach to seeking out the best stocks to buy for either situation should be similar.
Here's what to look when researching the best kinds of stocks to buy for a recession:
Avoid cyclical stocks: The economy tends to run in cycles, and some companies do very well when business is booming but suffer mightily when recession strikes. These are called "cyclical stocks” because they're very sensitive to trends in business or consumer spending. Think hotels that depend on strong travel spending, automakers selling high-priced cars or retailers who depend on Americans taking frequent trips to the mall.
Focus on defensive sectors: While more defensive sectors may not have as much upside when things are booming, they tend to be more stable when things get tough. Examples of defensive stocks include electric utilities or companies selling consumer staples such as soap and packaged foods. You're not going to stop turning on the lights, showering or eating pasta just because the economy is a bit rough, after all. Defensive stocks depend on strong baseline demand rather than the economic cycle.
Go a bit bigger: It's universally true that the larger companies on Wall Street are more stable than the smaller ones. They have cash reserves to fall back on, as well as big brand names and rich histories that can better withstand short-term disruptions. Although smaller companies can move more quickly to take advantage of new opportunities, they can be the first to suffer when times get tough. Going bigger helps reduce your risk profile.
Prioritize dividends: Large companies with stable profits often share some of the wealth with investors via regular dividends. This flow of profits back to shareholders sweetens the returns, which is nice, but it also proves a level of reliability in the company's operations. Cutting dividends is a huge black eye for a stock, so if a company delivers regular payouts – or, in the best-case scenario, are stocks known for dependable dividend growth – that's a sign of operational consistency that should give you confidence.

How to prepare your portfolio for a recession
The desire to be defensive and protect your hard-earned cash is natural. But it's important to note that simply going for low-risk investing may leave some long-term profits on the table.
If you completely ignore growth stocks like smaller start-ups or aggressive tech disruptors, you may be disappointed when you don't share in the good times as often as your peers. Furthermore, even defensive stocks can stumble – so there's no guarantee your money is 100% protected either way.
A balanced approach is almost always the best course of action, then. That includes the best kinds of stocks to buy for a recession, as well as other instruments that will provide consistent and diversified returns in any market.
Your personal risk tolerance informs how much or how little of each investment you focus on. But the bottom line is that going "all in" on recession-proof stocks may be just as risky as putting every penny behind small and risky growth stocks. Looking at the whole array of options out there is usually the best course of action for the typical investor.
Related content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Jeff Reeves writes about equity markets and exchange-traded funds for Kiplinger. A veteran journalist with extensive capital markets experience, Jeff has written about Wall Street and investing since 2008. His work has appeared in numerous respected finance outlets, including CNBC, the Fox Business Network, the Wall Street Journal digital network, USA Today and CNN Money.
-
Want to Retire With $100K a Year? Here's How Much to Save
What "magic number" will be enough to generate $100K a year in retirement income? We do the math for you.
By Adam Shell Published
-
Rethinking Income When You Retire: No Paycheck, No Problem
When you retire, you'll need to adjust to the reality of depending on assets instead of a regular paycheck. For that, you'll need a new financial strategy.
By Joel V. Russo, LUTCF Published
-
Rethinking Income When You Retire: No Paycheck, No Problem
When you retire, you'll need to adjust to the reality of depending on assets instead of a regular paycheck. For that, you'll need a new financial strategy.
By Joel V. Russo, LUTCF Published
-
How to Support Your Parents Without Derailing Your Finances
Putting your aging parents' financial house in order can give you a clearer picture of where they need support and how to balance that with your own plans.
By Vincent Birardi, CFP®, AIF®, MBA Published
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Gain to Start the Short Week
Stocks struggled for direction Tuesday, though Intel made a beeline higher on M&A buzz.
By Karee Venema Published
-
Can a Gold IRA Counter Sticky Inflation for Retirement?
Gold is soaring. Here's how to add a gold IRA or ETF to your portfolio in order to hedge against inflation and volatility. But retirees should tread carefully.
By Javier Simon Published
-
Why 'Standard' Digital Background Checks Can Be So Unreliable
Missing online data, as well as stringent federal and state privacy rules, make it difficult to discover a prospective employee's or tenant's criminal past.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq. Published
-
What to Do When Your ETF Closes
Not all ETFs succeed. Here's what to look out for and what to do if a fund you own closes.
By Kim Clark Published
-
How Amazon Stock Became a Member of the 100,000% Return Club
Amazon's wide moat is one reason it has generated a 100,000%-plus return for investors over the long haul.
By Louis Navellier Published
-
Are You a High-Income Earner? Three Unexpected Reasons to Save More Than You Think You Should
High-income earners sometimes put off saving because they think they have plenty of time and money to do it later. That's not always the case, though.
By Eric Roberge, Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Investment Adviser Published