The Consumer Price Index (CPI) surged 8.5% higher on a year-over-year basis in July. The increase came in below analysts' expectations of an 8.7% increase and was 0.6 percentage points below the CPI reading for June.

Yet inflation is still near a four-decade high. What is an investor to do to preserve his or her purchasing power? The basic answer is to buy and hold quality companies in booming industries. You can also improve your chances by focusing on safe dividend stocks that perform well on price appreciation.

Let's take a look at two stocks that arguably fit these requirements and might make great additions to an investment portfolio.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com