The benchmark indexes have witnessed a pullback over the past week amid concerns surrounding the new coronavirus variant omicron. As the reimposition of travel restrictions and lockdowns could lead to a market crash, fundamentally sound stocks Microsoft (MSFT), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), and Kroger (NYSE:KR) might help hedge your portfolio against the current market risk. The stock markets witnessed a sharp pullback since the detection of the highly contagious omicron coronavirus variant in South Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the new variant is a “cause for concern,” leading to the reimposition of travel restrictions and lockdowns across the globe. Over the past five days, the S&P 500 index fell 2.3%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) declined 2.7%. The CBOE Volatility Index, on the other hand, rose 29.2% last week. Crude oil witnessed its worst day in 2021 on November 26, as prices fell 13% due to the new variant scare.
As the reimposition of the travel ban is expected to affect international trade amid continued supply chain disruptions, the markets are expected to remain volatile for some time until the transmission rate of omicron is determined. While renowned U.S. health official Dr. Fauci has stated that it is “too early to say” whether lockdowns will be reimposed, the probability of the same cannot be negated. However, as more than 80% of U.S. adults are vaccinated, the country is expected to remain shielded from extreme repercussions.
Given the volatile market conditions, investing in relatively stable stocks with a beta of less than 1 is ideal. Thus, fundamentally sound stocks Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), and The Kroger Co . (KR), which have a beta of less than 1, could be ideal bets now.