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.
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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 (NYSE:UL) 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 (NYSE:UL) 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 (NYSE:CL) 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 (NYSE:CL) 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 (NYSE:CL) manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and internationally.
6. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)
On April 21, 2026, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) 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 (NYSE:JNJ) 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 (NYSE:JNJ) engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of healthcare products worldwide.
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