Altria Group Inc (MO), Walgreen Company (WAG): The U.S. Serves As a Safe Haven

An additional dose of downside protection that these stocks can offer you is a hefty dividend yield. Whereas many international stocks, particularly within the emerging markets, yield very little, these stocks have outsized dividends that compare favorably to the broader market.

Walgreen Company (NYSE:WAG) shareholders have received quarterly dividend payments for 323 consecutive quarters — a streak spanning more than 80 years. In addition, the company has bumped up its distribution to shareholders for 38 years in a row, and the stock yields 2.6% at recent prices.

Altria Group Inc (NYSE:MO) has a track record of rewarding shareholders that makes it the gold standard for dividend payers. The company has increased its dividend 46 times in the last 43 years, and it will likely give investors another raise in time for its next quarterly payout. Altria Group Inc (NYSE:MO)’s current yield of 5.6% trounces the roughly 2% yield on the S&P 500.

The bottom line
International headline risk is roiling the global economy once again in what is becoming a recurring pattern. However, you don’t need to lose sleep about the seemingly never-ending string of worries coming from across the globe. It’s entirely possible to insulate your portfolio against international headline risks.

These stocks generate the vast majority of their sales within the U.S., which certainly isn’t experiencing runaway growth but is at least measurably better off than other economies. To provide your portfolio with a much-needed dose of stability, consider these U.S.-only stocks.

The article These Stocks Can Give You Shelter From International Storms originally appeared on Fool.com is written by Robert Ciura.

Robert Ciura owns shares of Altria Group. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

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