When Markets Get Shaky: 4 Defensive Stocks That Won't Make Your Portfolio Sweat

Consumer confidence just hit the basement. The University of Michigan’s November sentiment index bottomed at 51—down 29% year-over-year—as Fed rate cut hopes clash with stubbornly high inflation and Trump’s tariff headwinds. Meanwhile, Wall Street’s turned into a bumper car ride, and risk assets are getting dumped left and right.

Here’s the thing: when the economy feels like it’s on thin ice, boring defensive stocks suddenly look beautiful. We’re talking low-beta names (0 < beta < 1) that move less violently than the market—perfect for sleeping better at night.

The Four Cushions Against Chaos

Entergy (ETR): Nuclear power producer with 30,000 MW capacity. Earnings growth penciled in at 6.9% this year, beta just 0.63, yielding 2.73%. Zacks Rank: #2 Buy.

CenterPoint Energy (CNP): Runs the electrical wires and gas pipes for 2.5M+ customers across Houston and Indiana. 9.3% earnings growth expected, ultra-stable at 0.60 beta, 2.22% dividend. Zacks Rank: #2 Buy.

John B. Sanfilippo & Son (JBSS): The nut butter company behind Fisher brand snacks. This one’s got legs—18.1% earnings growth forecast, only 0.37 beta (the most defensive of the bunch), though dividend yield’s modest at 1.28%. Zacks Rank: #1 Strong Buy.

Universal (UVV): Global tobacco leaf supplier in 30+ countries. Modest 2.4% growth, but throws off a juicy 6.19% dividend yield. Beta at 0.73, Zacks Rank: #2 Buy.

Why Now?

Fed policy remains a guessing game. Labor market’s cooling. Inflation’s still sticky. The playbook’s simple: pair low-beta stocks with steady dividend income and solid analyst ratings. These four tick all three boxes. When sentiment’s in the gutter, that’s exactly what wins.