Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of investing in safe-haven assets and undervalued dividend-paying consumer staples stocks during periods of market volatility and geopolitical tension [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Strategy - Safe-haven assets like gold, silver, and U.S. Treasuries are recommended for hedging risks, although their effectiveness may vary [1]. - Consumer staples and utilities are considered safe investments due to their inelastic demand and established history of returning capital to shareholders [2]. Group 2: Selected Companies - **United Breweries Co. (CCU)**: - Benzinga Edge Value Score of 98.14, with a current dividend yield of 2.8% and a dividend payout ratio (DPR) of 58.9% [4]. - The stock trades at 16 times earnings and 0.85 times sales, showing positive price action [4]. - CCU shares have increased over 11% recently, with bullish indicators such as a Golden Cross and favorable MACD signals [7]. - **NuSkin Enterprises Inc. (NUS)**: - Benzinga Edge Value Score of 86.96, with a market cap of $540 million and a dividend yield of 2.08% [8]. - The company reduced its dividend payout from $0.39 to $0.06, but the current payout allows for future increases [8]. - NUS shares have risen 15% at the start of the year, indicating bullish momentum [11]. - **Cresud SACIF y A (CRESY)**: - Benzinga Edge Value Score of 93.82, with a dividend yield of over 5% and a DPR of 23.4% [12]. - The company operates in agriculture and real estate, providing diversification during geopolitical tensions [12]. - CRESY shares have formed a Golden Cross, with the 50-day SMA acting as support [15]. - **Weis Markets Inc. (WMK)**: - Benzinga Edge Value Score of 89.87, with a market cap of $1.68 billion and a dividend yield of 2% [16]. - The DPR is 35.79%, allowing potential for future dividend increases [16]. - WMK shares have shown bullish signals, with a breakout above the 50-day SMA and an RSI indicating upward momentum [18]. - **Calavo Growers Inc. (CVGW)**: - Benzinga Edge Value Score of 80.91, with a dividend yield of 3.09% and a DPR of 72% [19]. - The company operates in the fresh produce sector, which is less affected by tariffs [19]. - CVGW shares have surged nearly 20% recently, breaking above key moving averages [21].

Market Overview - Volatility has returned to Wall Street, with major indexes losing gains over the past couple of months due to uncertainty over the next rate cut and the impact of President Trump's tariffs on consumer sentiment [1][8] - Consumer sentiment fell in July, with the University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index dropping to 58.6% from 61.7% in June, missing analysts' expectations [4][10] Consumer Sentiment and Inflation - Households are expecting prices of goods to rise due to higher tariffs, leading to a decline in consumer sentiment [5][10] - Short-term inflation expectations worsened, with the projected 12-month inflation outlook rising to 4.9% in July from 4.5% in June, and the five-year inflation outlook increasing to 3.9% from 3.4% [5] Investment Recommendations - Given the current market conditions, it may be wise to focus on safe-haven stocks such as utilities and consumer staples, with Fortis, Inc. (FTS), New Jersey Resources Corporation (NJR), ONE Gas, Inc. (OGS), and Diageo plc (DEO) highlighted as attractive options [2][10] - These recommended stocks are categorized as low-beta stocks (beta greater than 0 but less than 1) with high dividend yields and favorable Zacks Ranks [3] Company Profiles Fortis, Inc. - Engaged in the electric and gas utility business, operating primarily in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean [9] - Expected earnings growth rate of 4.6% for the current year, with a Zacks Rank 2 and a current dividend yield of 3.51% [11] New Jersey Resources Corporation - An energy services holding company providing natural gas and clean energy services [12] - Expected earnings growth rate of 12% for the current year, with a Zacks Rank 1 and a current dividend yield of 3.83% [13] ONE Gas, Inc. - A regulated natural gas distribution utility serving over 2.3 million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas [14] - Expected earnings growth rate of 10.5% for the current year, with a Zacks Rank 2 and a current dividend yield of 3.54% [14] Diageo plc - Operates in approximately 180 countries, producing and distributing spirits, wine, and beer [15] - Expected earnings growth rate of 3.5% for the current year, with a Zacks Rank 2 and a current dividend yield of 2.87% [16]

Core Insights - The article highlights the performance of dividend-paying stocks during market downturns, emphasizing their stability and ability to outperform the S&P 500 in 2025 [1][2] Group 1: AT&T - AT&T is a major U.S. telecom provider with 72.7 million post-paid phone subscribers and 9.3 million fiber optic broadband customers as of the end of 2024 [3] - The stock has a low beta of 0.42, indicating less volatility during market downturns, and offers a dividend yield of 4.1%, which is sustainable as it represents only half of the company's earnings-per-share estimate for 2025 [4] Group 2: Philip Morris International - Philip Morris is the largest tobacco company globally, selling products in 180 countries, and has a beta of 0.44, making it a reliable investment during economic downturns [5] - The company has consistently paid and raised its dividend since 2008, currently yielding 3.2%, and smoke-free products now account for 40% of total sales, indicating a shift towards long-term growth [6] Group 3: The Coca-Cola Company - Coca-Cola is a well-established blue-chip dividend stock with a diverse portfolio of beverages and a low beta of 0.45, making it a stable investment choice [7][8] - The company has a dividend yield of 2.8% and a payout ratio of 69% of 2025 earnings estimates, with a strong track record of increasing dividends over six decades [9]