Consumer-focused ETFs add stability

Article Excerpt

Consumer companies such as Walmart, Kellogg and Nestle provide basic goods that consumers need, even during a recession. It is therefore not surprising that these companies have relatively consistent revenue and profit histories and are able to maintain their dividends even during tough economic times. These providers of consumer staples are also part of a very select group that help protect investor portfolios during market downturns. How bear market affects certain sectors When stock markets drop, most stocks will fall along with the market. However, beyond the overall market decline, there can be major variations in the performance of individual market segments—and those variations depend on specific factors driving a market correction. The chart below takes a look at the previous four main bear markets of the past century to identify which sectors or segments in the U.S. markets performed better than others. The results are summarized in the table below. During the 2000 to 2002 bear market, equities were dealt a triple blow. First…