Building the Fiscal Cliff-Proof Portfolio

December 06, 2012, 09:56 am ET, BY Billy- Contributor| Editor: Thomas H. Kee Jr. (Follow on LinkedIn)

The U.S. may soon be headed over the fiscal cliff. That being said, traders may want to have some equity positions in the event that a compromise is able to be reached and stocks make a big move upwards. According to Stock Traders Daily, the smartest approach at this point may be to craft a portfolio that even a fall over the fiscal cliff cannot crack. In my opinion, here are four stocks to ride out short term volatility. PROFIT FROM THESE STOCKS TODAY!

Still Smokin’

One name that jumps into the picture as being a safe bet in the current environment is Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM). Despite slight declines in cigarette volumes, the company has several factors going for it. Philip Morris has pricing power to offset these declines as evidenced by its year-over-year uptick in its Q3 adjusted margins. It also is in the business of selling products that its customers are addicted to and will not be able to do without regardless of the state of the economy.

Another name that is positioned to sparkle regardless of a fiscal cliff is Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE:FNV). If investors begin to pile into gold as a safe haven play, the company will be an immediate winner. Even in the event that such a scenario does not play out, Franco-Nevada still remains an advantageous investment. It does not have any debt on its balance sheet and being a royalty company, it does not have the operating exposure that a gold mining company does. Agility will win out in the current macroeconomic environment.

Electing Beneficiaries

One retailer that is well-positioned to ride out a dive over the fiscal cliff is Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT). Despite the anxiety hanging over Capitol Hill, the company still managed to ring up its best ever Black Friday last month. If tax rates go up and consumers tighten their belts, Wal-Mart is positioned to be a prime beneficiary as households look to stretch their income further.

Another retailer that traders can round out their portfolio with in the coming weeks is Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE:FDO). It too fits into a value theme that can hold up even if the clock runs out on Washington. The company’s plan to open approximately 500 new stores in 2013 sends a strong message that the discount chain is not overly concerned about the outcome of fiscal negotiations among politicians. Traders have held a similar bullish sentiment which has kept the stock’s 50-day moving average above the 200-day moving average for much of the year and has shares in striking distance of a 52-week high.  

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