‘We have a whole lot more to go down’: Suze Orman thinks we’re headed for a recession and warns that things may get a ‘little bit ugly.’ Here’s what she likes for safety

Market Trading EssentialsJune 27, 2022

3 minutes read

‘We have a whole lot more to go down’: Suze Orman thinks we’re headed for a recession and warns that things may get a ‘little bit ugly.’ Here's what she likes for safety — ‘We have a whole lot more to go down’: Suze Orman thinks we’re headed for a recession and warns that things may get a ‘little bit ugly.’ Here’s what she likes for safety

According to personal finance expert Suze Orman, more pain will likely come for the markets.

“We’re experiencing a bull bounce within a bear market. We have a whole lot more to go down, and come August, September, that’s when we may see it get a little bit ugly,” she says in a recent Yahoo Finance interview.

The personal finance author, TV personality, and podcaster also sees trouble looming in the distance for the U.S. economy.

“I personally think we are heading into a recession, a mild one, either at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.”

On the positive side, Orman provides a solution for those looking for a flight to safety.

“If you want to be safe and sound, get dividend-paying stocks that are paying you at least 3% or more. Make sure you know about the companies and how they work, so at least you’re getting something while these markets continue down,” she says.

Let’s take a look at three companies that fit the description.

Don’t miss

Realty Income (O)

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are known for providing oversized dividends. But like any other sector, dividends from real estate companies aren’t carved in stone.

When it comes to paying reliable dividends, one real estate stock stands out: Realty Income.

Realty Income is a REIT with a diverse portfolio of over 11,000 commercial properties located in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the UK and Spain. It leases them to around 1,090 different tenants operating across 70 industries.

This means even if one tenant or industry enters a downturn, the impact on company-level financials will likely be limited.

Realty Income has been paying uninterrupted monthly dividends since its founding in 1969. That’s 623 consecutive monthly dividends paid.

Since the company went public in 1994, it has announced 116 dividend increases. The stock currently yields 4.4%.

Last week, Credit Suisse analyst Omotayo Okusanya initiated coverage of Realty Income with an ‘outperform’ rating. His price target of $75 implies a potential upside of 9%.

Chevron (CVX)

Energy stocks have turned out to be big winners amid the oil price boom. Chevron, for instance, is up 21% in 2022, in stark contrast to the broad market’s double-digit decline.

As an oil and gas supermajor, Chevron’s business is firing on all cylinders. For Q1, the company reported earnings of $6.3 billion, which more than quadrupled the $1.4 billion in the same period last year. Revenue totaled $54.4 billion for the quarter, up 70% year over year.

In January, Chevron’s board approved a 6% increase to the quarterly dividend rate to $1.42 per share. That gives the company an annual dividend yield of 3.9%.

Orman sees further upside in oil but warns that energy stocks can be volatile.

“Oil will go up to about $135, maybe $145 a barrel. But you need to watch your oil stocks carefully because it can turn on a dime,” she says.

Earlier this month, Cowen analyst Jason Gabelman reiterated an ‘outperform’ rating on Chevron while raising his price target from $165 to $179 — roughly 22% above where the stock sits today.

AT&T (T)

We pay our cell phone bills and Internet bills every month. If you want to get even, consider collecting dividends from companies that provide these services.

AT&T, for instance, is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. More than 100 million consumers in the U.S. use its mobile and broadband services. At the same time, the company also serves nearly all of the Fortune 1000 companies with connectivity and smart solutions.

And because wireless and Internet services are necessities for the modern economy, AT&T generates a recurring business through thick and thin.

The company pays quarterly dividends of 27.75 cents per share, translating to an annual yield of 5.3%. To put things in perspective, the average S&P 500 company yields just 1.6%.

Tigress Financial analyst Ivan Feinseth has a ‘buy’ rating on AT&T and a price target of $28. Considering that the stock trades at around $20.90 today, his price target implies a potential upside of 34%.