5 Best “Sin Stocks” to Buy for Recession Protection

4. British American Tobacco plc (NYSE:BTI)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 41

British American Tobacco plc (NYSE:BTI) ranks among the best sin stocks to buy for recession protection. On June 8, Morgan Stanley raised its price target for British American Tobacco plc (NYSE:BTI) from GBX 4,900 to GBX 4,950, retaining an Overweight rating on the stock. The new target represents a gain of more than 7% over the existing share price.

Furthermore, in response to British American Tobacco’s first-half 2026 trading statement, BofA Securities reaffirmed a Buy rating on the company’s shares. British American Tobacco plc (NYSE:BTI) reaffirmed its full-year projection for 2026 at the low end of its range. The company estimates a revenue increase of 3% to 5% along with adjusted EBIT growth of 4% to 6%, with results projected to be skewed toward the latter half.

While US vapor performance was noted as a clear winner in the trading statement, results in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa areas came in poorer than projected, prompted by weakness in Bangladesh and Heated Tobacco.

British American Tobacco plc (NYSE:BTI) is a leading multi-category consumer goods company that provides tobacco and nicotine products to millions of consumers around the world.