Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash

Equity markets have seen elevated volatility over the course of 2025, due to stubborn inflation, rising geopolitical risks, and fears about a potential recession. Not all stocks are hit equally by equity market turmoil, however. Instead, some stocks tend to be more volatile than others due to their vulnerability to recessions.

For an investor looking to provide some stability for their portfolio, low-volatility stocks can be a solid choice.

Verizon Communications (VZ)

Verizon Communications is one of the largest wireless carriers in the country. Wireless contributes three-quarters of all revenues, and broadband and cable services account for about a quarter of sales. The company’s network covers ~300 million people and 98% of the U.S.

On September 5th, 2025, Verizon announced that it was increasing its quarterly dividend 1.8% to $0.69 for the November 3rd, 2025 payment, extending the company’s dividend growth streak to 21 consecutive years.

On October 29th, 2025, Verizon reported third quarter results for the period ending September 30th, 2025. For the quarter, revenue grew 1.5% to $33.8 billion, but this was $470 million below estimates. Adjusted earnings-per-share of $1.21 compared favorably to $1.19 in the prior year and was $0.02 better than expected.

For the quarter, Verizon Consumer had postpaid phone net losses of 7,000, which compares to net additions of 18,000 in the same period of last year. However, wireless retail core prepaid net additions grew 47,000, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of positive subscriber growth.

Consumer wireless retail postpaid phone churn rate remains low at 0.91%. The Consumer segment grew 2.9% to $26.1 billion while consumer wireless service revenue increased 2.4% to $17.4 billion. Consumer wireless postpaid average revenue per account grew 2.0% to $147.91.

Broadband totaled 306K net new customers during the period, which marks 13 consecutive quarters of at least 300K net adds. The total fixed wireless customer base is almost 5.4 million. Verizon aims to have 8 to 9 million fixed wireless subscribers by 2028.

Wireless retail postpaid net additions were 110K for the period. Free cash flow was $15.8 billion for the first three quarters of the year, up from $14.5 billion for the same period in 2024.

Verizon reaffirmed prior guidance for 2025 as well, with the company still expecting wireless service revenue to grow 2% to 2.8% for the year. Verizon is also expected to produce adjusted EPS growth in a range of 1% to 3%.

General Mills (GIS)

General Mills is a packaged food giant, with more than 100 brands and operations in more than 100 countries. General Mills has paid a dividend to shareholders for 125 consecutive years.

On June 30th, 2025, General Mills completed the sale of its North American yogurt business for $2.1 billion in cash. The proceeds will be used for share repurchases.

The sale of this business, which generated 8% of total sales last year, is expected to reduce earnings-per-share by ~3% in fiscal 2026, which ends in May 2026. General Mills decided to sell its North American yogurt business for its low profit margins.

In mid-September, General Mills reported (9/17/25) results for Q1-2026. Net sales and organic sales fell -7% and -3%, respectively, over the prior year’s quarter, primarily due to lower prices.

Adjusted earnings-per-share decreased -20%, from $1.07 to $0.86, but exceeded the analysts’ consensus by $0.04. General Mills is facing tough comparisons, as the pandemic has subsided. In addition, it is currently investing in its pet business to reinvigorate growth, at the expense of short-term earnings. As a result, the company reiterated its weak guidance for fiscal 2026.

General Mills has grown its earnings-per-share at a 4.1% average annual rate in the last decade. In recent years, the company accelerated, though it has stumbled in recent quarters due to tough comparisons and cost inflation. We expect approximately 4.0% annual earnings-per-share growth over the next five years, mostly thanks to Blue Buffalo.

Earnings per-share will also benefit from a decent amount of share repurchases, as the proceeds from the sale of North American yogurt business will be allocated on share repurchases. Buybacks had paused due to the high debt load caused by the acquisition of Blue Buffalo but they have resumed in recent years.

GIS currently yields 5.1%.

Sonoco Products Co. (SON)

Sonoco Products provides packaging, industrial products and supply chain services to its customers. The markets that use the company’s products include those in the appliances, electronics, beverage, construction and food industries. The company generates over $5 billion in annual sales. Sonoco Products is now composed of 2 major segments, Consumer Packaging, and Industrial Packaging, with all other businesses listed as “All Other”.

On July 23rd, 2025, Sonoco Products announced second quarter results for the period ending June 29th, 2025. For the quarter, revenue grew 17.9% to $1.91 billion, which was in-line with estimates. Adjusted earnings-per-share of $1.37 compared to $1.28 in the prior year, but was $0.08 less than expected.

Revenues and earnings benefited from the addition of Eviosys. For the quarter, Consumer Packaging revenues surged 110% to $1.23 billion, mostly due to contributions from Eviosys. Volume growth was strong and favorable currency exchange rates also aided results. Industrial Paper Packing sales fell 2% to $588 million due to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates and lower volume following two plant divestitures in China last year.

On April 16th, 2025, Sonoco Products raised its quarterly dividend 1.9% to $0.53, extending the company’s dividend growth streak to 49 consecutive years. SON currently yields 5.2%.

More By This Author:

10 Best Stocks To Unleash The Power Of Dividend Growth
High Dividend 50: Midland States Bancorp
High Dividend 50: Energy Transfer LP