Even though U.S. stock markets are currently hitting all-time highs and the economy remains in overall good shape, investors are increasingly concerned that a recession may not be too far off. The U.S. economy is showing distinct signs of a slowdown heading into 2020, China's blistering growth rate has tapered off significantly, and the eurozone may already be in recession based on the latest export numbers coming out of the region. So, it may indeed be time for U.S. investors to get defensive.
Which stocks are best suited to weather an economic downturn? The dividend-paying large-cap pharma stocks Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) could be just what the doctor ordered. Here's why these top healthcare names should continue to deliver stellar returns on capital, no matter what happens to the broader economy.
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