Buy 3 Low-Beta Utility Stocks to Dodge Prevailing Market Volatility

Market Overview - Volatility has returned to Wall Street, with major indexes giving up gains for the year due to uncertainty over the economy's health and fresh geopolitical tensions [1] - Investors are concerned about the economy's health, as consumer confidence fell to 89.1 in December, a decline of 3.8 points from November's reading of 92.9 [6] Defensive Stock Recommendations - Investors may want to focus on low-beta, defensive stocks, particularly from the utility sector, to cushion against market swings [2] - Recommended companies include: - Ameren Corporation (AEE): Expected earnings growth rate of 8.2%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.58, and a dividend yield of 2.74% [8][10] - Fortis, Inc. (FTS): Expected earnings growth rate of 3.8%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.50, and a dividend yield of 3.48% [12][10] - Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PEG): Expected earnings growth rate of 9.8%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.6, and a dividend yield of 3.17% [14][10] Company Profiles - Ameren Corporation: A utility company serving nearly 2.4 million electric and over 900,000 natural gas customers in Missouri and Illinois [7] - Fortis, Inc.: Engaged in electric and gas utility business, operating primarily in Canada, the U.S., and the Caribbean [11] - Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated: A diversified energy company with regulated electric and gas utility operations primarily in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. [13]