There is a heightened level of economic uncertainty these days. It can stem from geopolitical conflict, inflationary concerns, and fears about artificial intelligence disruption. For investors, the goal is to find companies that can weather any storms that might be brewing.
Here's one consumer staples stock that benefits no matter which way the economy goes in 2026 and beyond.
Image source: Getty Images.
Procter & Gamble (PG 0.38%) sells household essentials, from Tide laundry detergent and Head & Shoulders shampoo to Luvs diapers and Vicks medicine. It's uniquely positioned since it doesn't face demand that fluctuates as much as other economically sensitive businesses.
During the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, Procter & Gamble posted revenue growth in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021.
NYSE: PG
Key Data Points
Investors that decide to buy this stock can immediately gain a nice foundational holding for their portfolios. This doesn't mean you'll get market-beating performance, though, as shares have produced a total return of 126% in the past decade (as of March 26), which trails the S&P 500 index (277%).
But this is an extremely profitable business, with a fiscal 2025 net profit margin of 19%. And it has a stellar 69-year streak of raising the dividend payout. The current dividend yield of nearly 3% provides a valuable income stream regardless of the direction the economy takes.
