Zacks Recommends 4 Defensive Stocks as US Inflation Hits 3-Year High

MacroCommodity Impact 4
โดย Zacks Investment Research·Read original
Summary · why it matters

U.S. inflation surged past 4% in May for the first time since early 2023, driven by higher energy prices from the Middle East conflict, making a Federal Reserve rate hike likely. Zacks Investment Research recommends four defensive stocks with positive earnings estimate revisions and strong Zacks Ranks: Duke Energy, Coca-Cola, Arko Corp., and The New York Times Company. Duke Energy has a beta of 0.39 and a dividend yield of 3.37%, Coca-Cola has a beta of 0.35 and a yield of 2.63%, Arko Corp. has a beta of 0.98 and a yield of 1.56%, and The New York Times Company has a beta of 0.95 and a yield of 1.29%. The personal consumption expenditures price index rose 4.1% year over year in May, with core PCE up 3.4%, the highest since October 2023. Markets are pricing in a 25-basis-point rate hike by year-end, which could weigh on the economy and keep markets volatile.

Impact on stocks 5

Consumer Staples▲ · 2 stocks
The Coca-Cola Company
KO
▲ PositiveMonetaryrelevance

Rising inflation and likely Fed rate hike make defensive stocks like Coca-Cola attractive, with low beta and high dividend yield.

Consumer Discretionary▲ · 1 stocks
Arko Corp
ARKOW
▲ PositiveMonetaryrelevance

Rising inflation and likely Fed rate hike make defensive stocks like Arko Corp. attractive, as they are less sensitive to economic cycles.

Energy Transition & Power Demand▲ · 1 stocks
Duke Energy Corporation
DUK
▲ PositiveMonetaryrelevance

Rising inflation and likely Fed rate hike make defensive stocks like Duke Energy attractive, with low beta and high dividend yield.

Communication Services▲ · 1 stocks
New York Times Company
NYT
▲ PositiveMonetaryrelevance

Rising inflation and likely Fed rate hike make defensive stocks like New York Times Company attractive, with low beta and high dividend yield.

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