Worried About the Markets? Buy These 3 Low-Beta Stocks for Safety

Dollarama Inc. (TSX:DOL) is one place investors can safely store their money, while earning great returns in the process.

| More on:

Investors are undoubtedly looking for some safety after the recent downturn we’ve seen in the market. One way to do this is by investing in low-beta stocks. Beta is a measure of how much a stock mimics the moves of the market. The closer to zero, the less volatile the stock is in relation to the market, whereas a value of one indicates that the stock will follow the market’s swings in unison.

Stocks with low betas offer investors some security, since their share prices will see less dramatic swings and won’t be as heavily impacted by market conditions the way other stocks will. Below is a list of three low-beta stocks that will help you minimize your risk to the market.

Dollarama Inc. (TSX:DOL) has been a top-performing stock on the TSX the past year with returns of more than 65%. Last week, when the markets saw a big correction take place, Dollarama’s stock dropped just 2%. While minimum wage hikes will add some cost to the company’s financials, Dollarama’s low-cost model enables it to more easily absorb rising expenses.

When I looked at a few different retail stocks, I found that Dollarama would be less impacted than other retailers, even though investors might expect the discount retailer to offer the lowest wages.

With interest rates rising, and costs growing for consumers, a low-cost option like Dollarama could fall into favour for people looking to stretch their budgets. In 2017, Dollarama’s sales came in at just under $3 billion, and its top line has grown more than 40% in the past three years. The company has also managed to produce a very strong bottom line, with a profit margin that has averaged more than 15% over the past four quarters.

Waste Connections Inc. (TSX:WCN)(NYSE:WCN) is a great recession-proof stock which doesn’t have to care what the economy is doing. After all, people will continue to make waste, and there will always be a need for someone to dispose of it, and that’s where Waste Connections can provide investors with a great deal of stability. Like Dollarama, the stock saw just a modest drop last week, despite a disastrous five days for the TSX.

Waste Connections has been able to grow via acquisition in a very fragmented market, which leaves a lot of potential for the company to grow even further. In 2016, revenues of over $3.3 billion were up more than 75% from a year ago largely as a result of the company’s acquisition of Progressive Waste, which is a major company in the industry.

Thomson Reuters Corp. (TSX:TRI)(NYSE:TRI) saw a slight 3% drop in price last week, and it has been able to avoid some of the big losses we’ve seen on the TSX. Although the company saw no sales growth last year, with “fake news” being more mainstream, it ensures that a trusted name like Thomson Reuters still has a very safe place in the industry. In the past five years, the stock has risen more than 70%, and it also provides investors with a decent yield of more than 3%.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Investing

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

Here’s the Average TFSA Balance at Age 54 in Canada

Here are two ways to optimize your TFSA for either growth or income via ETFs.

Read more »

oil and gas pipeline
Energy Stocks

Where Will Enbridge Stock Be in 3 Years?

After 29 straight years of increasing its dividend and a current yield of 6%, here's why Enbridge is one of…

Read more »

An investor uses a tablet
Tech Stocks

Canadian Tech Stocks to Buy Now for Future Gains

Not all tech stocks are created equal. In fact, these three are valuable options every investor should consider.

Read more »

calculate and analyze stock
Dividend Stocks

This 5.5% Dividend Stock Pays Cash Every Single Month!

This REIT may offer monthly dividends, but don't forget about the potential returns in the growth industry its involved with.

Read more »

concept of real estate evaluation
Stocks for Beginners

2 No-Brainer Real Estate Stocks to Buy Right Now for Less Than $1,000

These two real estate sector-focused stocks have the potential to deliver strong returns on your investments in the coming years.

Read more »

Pumpjack in Alberta Canada
Energy Stocks

Is Enbridge Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Enbridge stock just hit a multi-year high.

Read more »

Silver coins fall into a piggy bank.
Dividend Stocks

How to Use Your TFSA to Earn up to $6,000 Per Year in Tax-Free Passive Income

A high return doesn't mean you have to make a high investment -- or a risky one -- especially with…

Read more »

Asset Management
Stock Market

3 of the Best Canadian Stocks to Buy Right Now

Are you looking for stocks that could be a major bargain right now? These three Canadian stocks could provide some…

Read more »