In this article, we will look at the 8 Best Counter Cyclical Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Counter-cyclical stocks are businesses tied to demand that do not disappear just because the economy slows. According to Fidelity’s sector framework, consumer staples have “less sensitivity to the broader economy” and may offer “downside protection against market declines.” When macro uncertainty starts to rise, consumers are pushed toward essentials rather than optional spending.
The same defensive logic shows up in healthcare. Capital Group says healthcare, especially drugs and pharmaceuticals, feels “more structurally durable than most sectors,” because demand is “anchored in fundamental human needs rather than discretionary behavior or business cycles.” That helps explain why healthcare often keeps its footing even when consumer confidence or corporate spending weakens. The sector’s demand drivers tend to be more necessity-based than cycle-based, which can make the earnings profile look steadier than much of the market during downturns.
Gold adds a different kind of counter-cyclical exposure. BlackRock describes gold as a “strategic diversifier and store of value,” noting that it has historically shown “low or negative correlation to equities during periods of market stress.” That is why gold producers often enter the conversation when investors want something that can benefit from risk aversion rather than suffer from it. Put together, staples, healthcare, and gold-linked stocks offer ways to play defense when the broader economy starts to wobble. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the 8 Best Counter Cyclical Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Our Methodology
We used the Finviz screener to identify consumer staples, healthcare, and gold stocks that are viewed favorably by analysts. We then limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
8. Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)
On April 21, 2026, RBC Capital analyst James Edwardes Jones upgraded Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) to Sector Perform from Underperform with an unchanged price target of 4,200 GBp. James Edwardes Jones said concerns around the disposal of the company’s food business appear reflected in the current share price, adding that consensus estimates already incorporate caution on Unilever’s growth trajectory.
Meanwhile, BofA reinstated coverage of Unilever PLC with a Buy rating and a 5,300 GBp price target. The firm pointed to the company’s transformation in the U.S. toward wellbeing and personal care, an “unrivalled market position” in India, and a valuation that “now looks to us attractive.”
Last month, McCormick & Company (MKC) and Unilever announced an agreement to combine McCormick with Unilever’s Foods business, excluding India and other excluded businesses, creating a combined company with approximately $20B in fiscal 2025 revenue. Under the terms, Unilever and its shareholders are expected to receive shares representing 65.0% of the combined company’s equity, equivalent to $29.1B based on McCormick’s one-month volume-weighted average price of $57.84, along with $15.7B in cash, subject to adjustments. The transaction implies an enterprise value of approximately $44.8B for Unilever Foods and about $21B for McCormick, both at approximately 13.8x fiscal 2025 EBITDA.
Upon closing, Unilever shareholders are expected to own 55.1%, McCormick shareholders 35.0%, and Unilever 9.9% of the combined company. The deal is not expected to trigger U.S. federal income tax for Unilever or its shareholders. The companies expect approximately $600M in annual run-rate cost synergies over three years, with about two-thirds realized by the end of year two, with one-time costs estimated at approximately $300M and an additional $100M in incremental cost and revenue synergies to be reinvested. The transaction is expected to close by mid 2027, subject to McCormick shareholder approval, regulatory clearances, and other customary conditions, including works council consultation.
Unilever PLC operates as a fast-moving consumer goods company across the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
7. Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL)
On April 21, 2026, Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) to Buy from Neutral and raised its price target to $100 from $93. The firm said its review of the home and personal care space following the recent selloff points to a more favorable setup for Colgate, citing “resilient growth” and a “strong track record” in pricing and productivity savings. It also noted that the stock’s absolute and relative valuation is below multi-year average levels.
Meanwhile, on April 17, 2026, JPMorgan lowered its price target on Colgate-Palmolive Company to $95 from $97 and maintained an Overweight rating as part of adjustments across the household and personal care group ahead of earnings season. JPMorgan said investor attention is expected to center on customer behavior, cost pressures, and deal flow, while noting Shark Ninja, Church & Dwight, and e.l.f. Beauty could report stronger results on a relative basis.
Similarly, BofA analyst Peter Galbo lowered the firm’s price target on Colgate-Palmolive Company to $102 from $105 and kept a Buy rating, updating estimates for organic sales and FY26 EPS to reflect a shift in Optic White launch timing in North America and a more conservative gross margin outlook tied to rising oil costs.
Colgate-Palmolive Company manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and internationally.
6. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)
On April 21, 2026, Johnson & Johnson said it will present updates across its electrophysiology portfolio at the 2026 Heart Rhythm Society Annual Meeting, including developments in pulsed field ablation and advances in cardiac mapping and imaging. The company will introduce the CARTOSOUND SONATA Module, which uses artificial intelligence with the CARTO System to convert intracardiac echocardiography images into detailed maps and automatically label cardiac structures. The module integrates with SOUNDSTAR CRYSTAL and NUVISION NAV ultrasound catheters, supporting treatment planning for conditions such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and complex procedures.
Johnson & Johnson will also share new clinical and real-world data on its VARIPULSE Platform for atrial fibrillation, highlighting safety, workflow efficiency, and patient outcomes. The VARIPULSE Plus update in the U.S. adds automated irrigation flow control, while the VARIPULSE Pro3 platform, recently launched in Europe, introduces a new pulse sequence aimed at improving workflow efficiency.
A day earlier, Guggenheim raised its price target on Johnson & Johnson to $266 from $244 previously and maintained a Buy rating on the shares after updating its model following Q1 earnings and reviewing the Icotyde opportunity after its recent approval in plaque psoriasis. The firm increased its Icotyde unadjusted peak revenue estimate to $14.9B from about $10B.
Johnson & Johnson engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of healthcare products worldwide.
5. Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB)
On April 15, 2026, Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB) outlined the organizational structure and leadership for the combined company following its pending acquisition of Kenvue (KVUE). After closing, the business will be organized into four segments: North America, generating approximately $18.0B in annual sales; Asia Pacific Focus Markets, including Greater China, Australia / New Zealand, South Korea, and Indonesia, with about $4.3B in sales; Europe, Middle East, and Africa, or EMEA, with approximately $5.0B; and Enterprise Markets, covering Latin America, India, Southeast Asia, and Japan, generating around $4.3B. Hsu will remain Chairman and CEO, and the transaction is still expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions.
On April 13, 2026, Barclays analyst Lauren Lieberman lowered the price target on Kimberly-Clark Corporation to $99 from $105 and maintained an Equal Weight rating as part of a Q1 preview across consumer staples. Lauren Lieberman cited “growing caution” on the group ahead of earnings due to higher input costs and pointed to “building concerns” in food around dividend sustainability for certain companies.
Meanwhile, BofA reduced its price target on Kimberly-Clark Corporation to $120 from $130 and maintained a Buy rating, adjusting estimates ahead of earnings in the U.S. consumer staples group.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation manufactures and markets personal care products in the United States.
4. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
On April 21, 2026, Merck & Co., Inc. said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Idvynso, a single-tablet regimen combining 100 mg doravirine and 0.25 mg islatravir, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults. The therapy is intended to replace a current antiretroviral regimen in patients who are virologically suppressed on a stable regimen, with no history of treatment failure and no known resistance to doravirine. Idvynso is contraindicated with strong CYP3A enzyme inducers and with lamivudine or emtricitabine, and is expected to be available in pharmacies after May 11.
A day earlier, the company said the FDA granted priority review for two supplemental Biologics License Applications for KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX, each in combination with Padcev, for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy, with a target action date of August 17. The applications are based on Phase 3 KEYNOTE-B15 data and, if approved, would expand use of the combinations as perioperative treatments regardless of cisplatin eligibility, building on existing approvals for patients ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy. KEYTRUDA plus Padcev is already approved for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer in the U.S., European Union, Japan, and other markets.
Last week, UBS analyst Michael Yee raised the firm’s price target on Merck to $145 from $130 and maintained a Buy rating as part of a Q1 preview across the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology group.
Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide.
3. Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM)
On April 21, 2026, CIBC analyst Anita Soni lowered the price target on Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) to $176 from $177 previously and maintained an Outperformer rating on the shares. The update comes as part of a Q1 preview across the gold and base metals group. Anita Soni said the roughly 20% selloff in gold from its January high, along with the “flip-flop” in Federal Reserve funds expectations, could “support a bounce in the asset’s price,” adding that current levels present a more attractive entry point. CIBC also adopted a more constructive stance on base metal equities, pointing to supply constraints as a source of ongoing tailwinds.
Meanwhile, National Bank downgraded Newmont Corporation to Sector Perform from Outperform with a price target of $130, down from $140 previously. The firm cited rising costs from higher diesel prices, a new tax framework in Ghana, and an operations pause at the Cadia mine. It also expects Q1 EBITDA to be affected by lower production at Boddington due to bushfires, scheduled downtime at Nevada Gold Mines, and higher operating costs in Ghana.
Newmont Corporation operates as a gold producer and also explores for copper, silver, lead, zinc, and other metals.
2. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM)
On April 21, 2026, CIBC analyst Anita Soni lowered the price target on Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM) to $304 from $312 and maintained an Outperformer rating as part of a Q1 preview across the gold and base metals group. Anita Soni said the roughly 20% decline in gold from its January high, along with the “flip-flop” in Federal Reserve funds expectations, could “support a bounce in the asset’s price,” while noting a more constructive view on base metal equities driven by supply constraints. The firm also sees current levels as an attractive entry point.
On April 20, 2026, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and B2Gold entered into a definitive agreement under which Agnico Eagle will acquire B2Gold’s 70% interest in the Fingold JV for $325M in cash, with Aurion waiving its right of first refusal. Upon completion, Agnico Eagle will own 100% of the Fingold JV, with the transaction expected to close in April 2026, subject to customary conditions. The companies also agreed to a non-exclusive collaboration focused on knowledge sharing across their operations in Nunavut.
On the same day, Agnico Eagle entered into a separate arrangement agreement to acquire all remaining outstanding common shares of Rupert not already owned, with each share to be exchanged for 0.0401 of an Agnico share plus contingent consideration of up to C$3.00 per share through a contingent value right tied to specified milestones. The upfront consideration is valued at approximately C$2,871M on a fully diluted basis and represents about a 67% premium to Rupert’s closing price on April 17. Each CVR has a 10-year term and provides up to C$3.00 in cash based on milestones tied to mineral reserves and production levels at the acquired properties. The transaction requires customary approvals, including court and shareholder approvals under applicable rules, and is expected to close early in the third quarter of 2026, after which Rupert is expected to be delisted from the TSX. Directors, executive officers, and certain shareholders representing 28.75% of Rupert shares have agreed to vote in favor of the transaction.
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited engages in the exploration, development, and production of precious metals.
1. Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT)
On April 16, 2026, Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) announced the expansion of its Better Care Services platform as demand grows for weight management and overall health support, adding offerings that combine virtual care, nutrition services, and pharmacy access in a single experience. The platform connects customers to third-party providers alongside pharmacy services, nutrition insights, and delivery options, and now includes weight management support for those using or considering GLP-1 therapies. This builds on access to medications available through Walmart’s nearly 4,600 pharmacies nationwide. The company also introduced a redesigned GLP-1 digital destination on Walmart.com, aimed at helping customers explore related products and services and access medically reviewed nutrition guidance.
On the same day, Walmart Inc. announced plans to remodel 72 stores across Texas in 2026 as part of broader efforts to update both in-store and digital experiences. The upgrades include changes to layouts, technology, and services to enable faster and more convenient shopping, with delivery available in as little as an hour for most customers. The company said new and remodeled locations in Texas will feature expanded services such as free Pharmacy delivery for Walmart+ members, including on GLP-1s, and a store-based app designed to help customers navigate stores and book services like those at Auto Care Centers. Nationally, Walmart plans to remodel more than 650 Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets this year and has invested more than $2.5 billion over the past five years to upgrade stores in Texas. Separately, Walmart is preparing to open a new milk processing facility in Robinson, expected to create more than 400 jobs and supply milk across the South.
Earlier, on April 12, 2026, Guggenheim raised its price target on Walmart to $137 from $120 and maintained a Buy rating, citing scale, mix, value perception, and operational intensity as positioning the company for the “macro-related schizophrenia” reflected in shifting risk-on and risk-off market preferences.
Walmart Inc. operates retail and wholesale stores and clubs, ecommerce platforms, and mobile applications worldwide.
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