2 Consumer Stocks That Can Protect You in Today's Economy

Core Insights - Amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, stock investing appears risky, leading to investor reluctance towards growth-oriented stocks [1] - Income-oriented stocks are highlighted as a safer investment option, providing steady returns and potential for wealth increase [2] Company Analysis: Realty Income - Realty Income (NYSE: O) is recognized for leasing single-tenant properties to established corporations like Home Depot and FedEx, with nearly 99% of its 15,500 properties leased [5] - The company is known as the "monthly dividend company," offering a monthly payout that has increased annually since 1994, currently at approximately $3.25 per share, yielding 5%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's average of 1.2% [6] - The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 55, but the more relevant metric for REITs is funds from operations (FFO), which is projected at $4.25 per share in 2025, indicating a valuation of around 15 times FFO, suggesting limited downside risk [7] Company Analysis: Clorox - Clorox (NYSE: CLX) is a well-known company primarily recognized for its bleach products, but it also owns brands like Glad, Brita, and Purell [8] - The stock has faced challenges, including a decline post-pandemic, a cyberattack, and difficulties transitioning to a new ERP system, yet its stability may offer wealth protection and potential growth opportunities [9]