The article by Mark Hulbert discusses the benefits of investing in low-volatility stocks amid historical risks in the U.S. stock market. Low-volatility stocks provide smoother returns, allowing investors to remain engaged in the market while reducing portfolio risk. Although their advantage has decreased over time, they still yield returns comparable to the S&P 500 with significantly less price volatility.

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Mark Hulbert

The U.S. stock market is facing historic downside risk — these 10 low-volatility stocks can protect your portfolio

Low-volatility stocks give investors a smoother ride — and they are beating the market on a risk-adjusted basis

Published: June 6, 2026 at 10:01 a.m. ET

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(4 min)

Illustration of a hand drawing a risk meter on a blackboard, pointing to low risk. Low-volatility stocks produce returns almost as good as the S&P 500 with far fewer gut-wrenching price swings.Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Low-volatility stocks promise to dampen investors’ portfolio risk while nevertheless allowing them to remain invested in the stock market.

But do they live up to their promise? They do. Even though low-volatility stocks’ advantage has diminished, these stocks on average are able to produce returns almost as good as the overall market while incurring significantly less volatility.

About the Author

Mark Hulbert

Mark Hulbert is a columnist for MarketWatch. His Hulbert Ratings service tracks investment newsletters that pay a flat fee to be audited.

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