l around if you are looking for a generally safe stock. Its beta is .94, which means it is less volatile than the market and less subject to dramatic price fluctuations. I had the opportunity to have a tour of Sikorsky Aircraft located in Stratford, CT, as my Uncle is employed there. Sikorsky, which is a division of UTX, is a defense contractor. During periods of inflation, a period of recession is sure to follow. Defense stocks are desirable to have in one’s portfolio during recessions, and the time to buy them would be before a recession, hence purchase during inflationMy final stock pick once again assumes the aforementioned circumstances in the first paragraph and one other: Year 2000 computer problems lead to a deep recession in 2000. If it is in fact the middle of a deep recession, you are probably most concerned about meeting those expenses necessary for sustenance. If, however, a stock were needed to be purchased now in anticipation of a deep recession, I would buy any blue-chip stock. Since I must pick one, I think Enron ( symbol ENE) is a relatively stable choice. Enron is in the natural gas and power market. Since the recent rise in prices of petroleum products, natural gas is looking more and more attractive. They also happen to be building a 20,000 mile fiber optic communication system with Sun Microsystems. As of January 28, 2000. Its price was $64.88 with a P/E of 43.6. Those numbers rose to $76 and a P/E of 62 on May 3, 2000. That is already a substantial increase in the first quarter of 2000. However, I feel the stock is undervalued. Fiber optics will be increasing in demand in the next few years once broadband width is increased. With a head start ENE has in size and reach, this stock will be one to hold onto, even if a recession is to hit. Since it is in natural gas already, with a growth rate of 17% per year, those numbers are in fact only based on that sector of industry. Where it will emerge as a real winn...
