This article is part of our Rising Star Portfolio series.
These are uncertain times for sure, even if many investors are enjoying the U.S. market's rally today. Continued eurozone strife drums up a great deal of uncertainty, and the U.S. fiscal situation isn't all that comforting, either.
Though I plan on letting the long term play out for the purchases I've made for the Rising Star portfolio I'm managing for Fool.com, I thought I'd outline five stocks that I believe are the safest in uncertain times. I know some investors want safer stocks in which to park their money, with a higher chance of continued growth even if the overall economy continues to be lackluster.
Five strong favorites
Every investor's appetite for risk is different. Many would rather avoid more speculative companies like biofuels start-up Solazyme
If you're not sure you have the temperament to ride some major stock-price ups and downs with such risky stocks, here are five strong, more stable stocks to consider buying and holding in your portfolio (and why).
Costco
Clean Harbors
Whole Foods Market
Google
One element that makes Google particularly bulletproof is its amazingly strong balance sheet; Google has more than $42.5 billion in cash (or $131 per share) on its balance sheet, and just $7.3 billion in debt. It's also dirt cheap relative to its growth prognosis, trading at just 14 times forward earnings and sporting a PEG ratio of just 0.89.
Waste Management
Stocks for better sleep at night
I have amassed many compelling socially responsible stocks in my Rising Star portfolio that have wonderful potential despite short-term stock price drama. Those investors who'd rather take a walk on the tamer side of investing might want to particularly focus on the five stocks outlined above, though.
No stocks are risk-free, but some are riskier than others. These five stocks' staying power and competitive advantages should promise more conservative investors better rest at night.
If you're more interested in watching than buying these stocks for now, add them to your Watchlist to keep track of all the developments.
- Add Waste Management to My Watchlist.
- Add Whole Foods Market to My Watchlist.
- Add Solazyme to My Watchlist.
- Add Google to My Watchlist.
- Add First Solar to My Watchlist.
- Add Costco Wholesale to My Watchlist.
- Add Clean Harbors to My Watchlist.