3 Great Stocks for Low-Risk Investors

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This article was originally published on this site

Demitrios Kalogeropoulos (TMFSigma)

Investing in stocks involves risk — there’s no way around that fact. But you can lessen the amount of risk you take on by having a diversified portfolio, one that includes steady, high-probability growth in addition to those volatile equities that could soar or sputter.

With that in mind, below I’ll highlight three stocks that have a lower risk profile than most. These aren’t necessarily investments that you can buy and forget for the next decade, but they’re also unlikely to plummet on account of some minor shift in their industry. These companies are all leaders in their respective markets, have a record of market-thumping growth, and yet their valuations won’t leave shareholders overly exposed to a large stock price decline.

Consistent cash flow

Despite its nearly 30% stock price jump over the last year, fast food king McDonald’s(NYSE:MCD) remains one of the highest-yielding stocks on the Dow. The key reason for owing this business, though, is its ability to consistently throw off tons of cash.

Mickey D’s produced $6.5 billion last year, which was close to a record-high result despite the unusually rough business slump (guest traffic fell by 3% in its U.S. stores and comparable-store sales declined by 2% globally).

Mcd

BREAKFAST HAS HELPED MCDONALD’S RETURN TO GROWTH LATELY, BUT ITS BUSINESS DOES FINE EVEN THROUGH INDUSTRY SLUMPS. IMAGE SOURCE: MCDONALD’S.

McDonald’s has a heavily franchised business model, as it owns less than 15% of its locations. That setup ensures a steady stream of rent and royalty fees that help cushion operating results from swings in the underlying business. Sure, franchising dilutes the potential for huge profit gains like the 36% boost that Chipotle, which owns all of its shops, managed in 2014. However, it also protects shareholders from the type of sharp swing that the burrito baron is currently going through, where profits are projected to dive by 65% this year following a food safety scare.

Efficient growth

Kroger (NYSE:KR) is one of the world’s biggest food retailers, with over $100 billion in sales last year. While groceries aren’t a particularly profitable business (operating margin hovers around 2% of sales), the chain has demonstrated the power of slow, steady growth on stock market returns.

In 2015, Kroger managed several impressive milestones. It closed its 49th consecutive quarter of comparable-store sales growth and reduced costs while expanding market share for the 11th straight year.

Those trends have helped net income more than double over the last decade to over $2 billion a year, and shareholders have been rewarded by a tripling of the stock price over that time.

KR Chart

KR DATA BY YCHARTS.

Even after that run, there isn’t much risk in dramatically overpaying for this business. Kroger is valued at 16 times next year’s earnings, which is less than Wal-Mart‘s multiple of 17 andWhole Foods‘ 23.

Dominant market position

It pays to be the global leader in paint, coatings, and finishings — just ask Sherwin William(NYSE: SHW). Sales are up 70% since 2009, but even better news for investors is the fact that profitability is marching higher as well. Sherwin Williams has managed four straight years of increasing profit margin: The figure hit 49% of sales in 2015 from 43% in fiscal 2011.

Paint Cans

That success is a testament to the company’s unique portfolio of well-known brands. Beyond Sherwin-Williams’ paint, it also controls the popular Thompson’s wood sealer and Minwax finishing lines. Brand power allows the company to raise prices when raw material costs spike, and the fact that it controls 75% of its product distribution through its own store footprint gives it even more say over how its products are marketed, priced, and displayed to customers.

With a forward P/E ratio of 23, Sherwin Williams is a relatively expensive stock. Yet its stranglehold on the paint market and efficient business model suggests that the business can thrive in just about any selling environment, which is the best you can ask for in a low-risk stock.

John Mackey, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors.Demitrios Kalogeropoulos owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, McDonald’s, Sherwin-Williams, and Whole Foods Market. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Chipotle Mexican Grill and Whole Foods Market. The Motley Fool recommends Sherwin-Williams. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.