Defensive stocks are a key part of the market that can provide significant portfolio benefits. Although they often are not thought of as market outperformers, that certainly is not always the case. Defensive stocks tend to outperform in bear markets and economic downturns. In the case of consumer staples stocks, the essential nature of their products adds stability to their revenues when times are tough. Below, I’ll detail three important consumer staples stocks that Wall Street analysts are upgrading as 2025 gets into full swing. All return and implied upside figures are as of the Jan. 14 close.
