3 Top Large-Cap Stocks to Buy Right Now

The market is getting volatile. This trio of large-cap stocks, including Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB), could provide the stability you need.

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The Motley Fool

How’s it going, Fools? I’m back again to highlight three large-cap companies that I find especially attractive. As a reminder, I do this primarily for conservative investors because large-cap stocks

While large-cap stocks won’t double overnight, they can be ideal for risk-averse investors looking for some safety.

So, without further ado, let’s get to this week’s big-cap stock picks.

Natural selection

Kicking off our list is Enbridge (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB), which boasts a market cap of $73 billion. Over the past three months, shares of Canada’s largest natural gas distributor have pulled back about 9%, making it a decent time to swoop in.

In Q2, the company’s adjusted EPS of $0.65 easily walloped Bay Street estimates by $0.12. Meanwhile, operating cash flow clocked in at an impressive $3.3 billion versus $2.6 billion in the year-ago period. Looking forward, Enbridge now sees distributable cash flow per share at the upper half of its $4.15-4.45 range.

Investors remain concerned over the company’s financial position, but management — through asset sales and transaction simplification — continues to make healthy strides in de-risking operations.

That improvement, coupled with a juicy dividend yield of 6.2%, makes Enbridge too good to pass up.

Insured opportunity

Next we have insurance giant Great-West Lifeco (TSX:GWO), which currently has a market cap of $29.8 billion. Over the past year, the stock is down a significant 17% versus a loss of just 2% for the S&P/TSX Capped Financial Index.

Putnam — the company’s asset management arm — continues to post losses and weigh heavily on the bottom line. But, overall, Great-West’s operations are holding steady.

In Q2, the company’s fee and other income increased 4% to $1.5 billion as sales increased 32% to $33.1 billion. Moreover, adjusted return on equity (ROE) came in at a strong 14%. Management attributed the results to solid growth in both North America and Europe.

After the stock’s recent slump, Great-West now sports a cheapish forward P/E of 9.2, as well as an attractive yield of 5.2%.

Imperial authority

Our final large-cap pick this week is Imperial Oil (TSX:IMO)(NYSE:IMO), which currently sports a market cap of $35 billion. Over the past six months, shares of the oil and gas giant are up an impressive 19% versus a loss of 6% for the S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index.

Imperial continues to generate stable cash flow, which dampens the impact of wild oil price swings. Over the past 12 months, the company has generated a whopping $3.8 billion in operating cash flow. Furthermore, operating cash flow has grown an impressive 74% over the last three years — fueling steady dividend increases in the process.

Imperial’s strong cash flows, stable dividend, and rock-solid balance sheet make it a relatively safe way to gain energy exposure. And at a forward P/E in the low teens, the price still seems reasonable.

Fool on.

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 Brian Pacampara owns no position in any of the companies mentioned. Enbridge is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.  

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