
Market Overview - The U.S. stock market is expected to experience volatility due to rising tensions between Israel and Iran, which have led to increased oil prices and concerns about a broader regional conflict [1] - Uncertainty surrounding the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions amid these geopolitical risks is adding further pressure to the market [1] Investment Strategy - A curated portfolio of low-beta stocks is recommended as a strategy to navigate the uncertain market conditions [2] - Low-beta stocks such as VirTra Inc. (VTSI), Franco-Nevada Corporation (FNV), Elbit Systems Ltd (ESLT), and Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) are highlighted as potential investment opportunities [2] Stock Characteristics - Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility compared to the market, with a beta of 1 indicating movement in line with the market, greater than 1 indicating higher volatility, and less than 1 indicating lower volatility [3][4] - Stocks with a beta between 0 and 0.6 are screened for lower volatility, alongside other criteria such as positive price movement over the last month, average trading volume greater than 50,000, a price of at least $5, and a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [5][6] Company Insights - VirTra Inc. (VTSI): The company is benefiting from the U.S. Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) project, which enhances training for soldiers and positions VirTra favorably for military contracts [7][9] - Franco-Nevada Corporation (FNV): Recently invested $1.05 billion in a royalty on the Côté Gold Mine, which is expected to close by Q2 2025, indicating strong revenue potential from significant gold resources [9][10] - Elbit Systems Ltd (ESLT): The company has a substantial backlog of $23.1 billion, with 66% of its contracts coming from international markets, reflecting strong global demand for defense solutions [9][11] - Philip Morris International Inc. (PM): Transitioning from traditional cigarettes to smoke-free products like IQOS and ZYN, while focusing on shareholder returns and cost-cutting measures [12]