7 ‘Strong Buy’ Defensive Dividend Stocks to Grab Now as Markets May Return to June Lows

General Mills also supplies branded and unbranded food products to the North American foodservice and commercial baking industries, and it manufactures and markets pet food products, including dog and cat food.

The company markets its products under the Annie’s, Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Blue Buffalo, Blue Basics, Blue Freedom, Bugles, Cascadian Farm, Cheerios, Chex, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Cookie Crisp, Fiber One, Food Should Taste Good, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gardetto’s, Go-Gurt, Gold Medal, Golden Grahams, Häagen-Dazs, Helpers, Jus-Rol, Kitano, Kix, Lärabar, Latina, Lucky Charms, Muir Glen, Nature Valley, Oatmeal Crisp, Old El Paso, Oui, Pillsbury, Progresso, Raisin Nut Bran, Total, Totino’s, Trix, Wanchai Ferry, Wheaties, Wilderness, Yoki and Yoplait trademarks.

Shareholders receive a 2.87% yield. Citigroup’s $88 price target on General Mills stock is well above the $63.00 consensus target. The stock closed at $75.83 on Monday.

Kraft Heinz

Even in bad times, everybody has to eat, and this company always stands to benefit. Kraft Heinz Co. (NASDAQ: KHC) was formed via the merger of H.J. Heinz and Kraft Foods. The company is a leading global food company, with $29 billion of annual revenues generated by such well-known brands as Kraft, Heinz, Oscar Meyer and Maxwell House.

It is the third-largest food and beverage manufacturer in North America, deriving 76% of revenues from that market and 24% internationally. Additional brands include Oscar Meyer, Maxwell House, Capri Sun, Classico, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Lunchables, Ore-Ida, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Planters, Plasmon, Quero, Weight Watchers Smart Ones and Velveeta.

Buffett holds a massive position in Berkshire Hathaway of 325 million shares, which is a stunning 26.6% of the company’s stock float.

Kraft Heinz stock comes with a 4.61% dividend. It is one of Stifel’s top dividend picks. The firm’s $48 price target is higher than the $41.94 consensus target price and Monday’s close at $34.61.

Kroger

This grocery chain giant is always a solid idea when the going gets rough as people tend to go out less. Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) operates as a retailer in the United States. It operates combination food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores and price impact warehouses.

Its food and drug stores offer natural food and organic sections, pharmacies, general merchandise, pet centers, fresh seafood and organic produce. Its multi-department stores provide apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, electronics, automotive products and toys.

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