10 Best Counter Cyclical and Defensive Stocks to Invest In

7. The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG)

Market Capitalization as of September 11: $408.98 Billion

Number of Hedge Fund Investors in Q2 2024: 64

The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) is a consumer investment play that engages in the provision of branded consumer packaged goods. It operates through five segments: Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine, & Family Care.

As a leading worldwide company in consumer products, recognized for its brands such as Tide, Pampers, and Gillette, it offers a wide variety of offerings that ensure consistency, even in tough economic times.

The major consumer Products Company recognized for its extensive range of home items has demonstrated strong market performance, indicating a notable 1-year improvement with a remarkable 14.02% rise. Investors have demonstrated greater trust in the company’s potential for expansion and stability during market changes, pushing the stock to higher levels and establishing a solid foundation for its future direction.

The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) achieved robust financial outcomes for the fiscal year 2024, experiencing a 4% growth in organic sales and a 12% increase in core earnings per share (EPS) to $6.59. During the fourth quarter, the firm observed a 2% growth in its organic sales and a 2% growth in its core EPS to $1.40. P&G’s online sales have also expanded by 9%, now representing 18% of its total sales.

While The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) trades at a premium price to earnings multiple of 28.43, it is expected owing to its dominant position in the Household Products industry and its history of reliable earnings and robust growth.

At the end of Q2 2024, 64 hedge funds held stakes in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), with total investments amounting to $7.73 billion. As of June 30, Fisher Asset Management was the largest shareholder, holding a position worth $2.9 billion.