5 Top Stocks to Buy Now for April 2026

2. Procter & Gamble (PG)

3. Medtronic PLC (MDT)

4. Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX)

5. Church & Dwight (CHD)

Defensive plays are the best stocks to buy now for April of 2026. Why? Because three major stock indexes have lost value this year, the U.S. is involved in an expanding war in the Middle East and high oil prices have experts worried about inflation and recession.

You can take chances when the economy is humming and the stock market outlook is strong. But when the road ahead is unclear, low-volatility stocks are the heroes that protect your wealth. Choose the right ones and they also deliver good total returns.

5 Top Stocks to Buy Now for April 2026

To identify reliable defensive stocks with total return potential I filtered public equities on sector, sales and cash flow growth, and dividend performance. Here are the screening metrics I used:

Operating in health care, consumer staples, or utilities

Debt-to-equity of less than 1

Positive, three-year free cash flow and revenue growth

10 or more years of dividend growth

Strong buy and buy ratings from analysts

Five-year beta of less than 0.75

The largest companies meeting these parameters are shown in the table below, which includes Procter & Gamble, of which I’m a long-time shareholder.

A closer look at each company follows. Bulleted metrics are sourced from StockAnalysis.com. For more investing ideas, see best index funds 2026 and best dividend stocks.

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Spangram, Answers: Saturday, March 21 (Sniff Sniff)

Nicholas Brendon, Xavier On ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer,’ Dies At 54

WWE SmackDown Results, Winners And Match Grades On March 20, 2026

Walmart by the numbers:

Trailing 12-month (TTM) revenue: 0.64

Three-year free cash flow growth: 7.6%

Three-year revenue growth: 5.3%

Dividend growth years: 53

Walmart Business Overview

Walmart is a global retailer operating the Walmart and Sam’s Club chains in the U.S. and internationally. The company generates $120 billion annually from ecommerce sales and runs a growing advertising business called Walmart Connect.

Why WMT Stock Is A Top Choice

Walmart operates two recognized global brands that generate a diverse and growing revenue base. The company offers an........

© Forbes