3 Dividend Stocks That Thrive in Market Crashes

It's a cold, hard truth that stock market crashes happen. And while true long-term investors shouldn't pay market movements any heed, the fact of the matter is, even the most tough-minded investor inevitably falls prey to fretting over their portfolios when a crash finally does arrive. One of the ways to combat this, and generate valuable capital with which to buy stocks if and when a crash does happen, is by owning dividend-paying stocks. For reasons detailed below, Atmos Energy (NYSE: ATO), Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE: BIP), and Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) are three great picks to get Foolish investors started. 

Image Source: Getty Images.

Sean O'Reilly (Atmos Energy): They say a rising tide lifts all ships. But, as is often discovered during a market crash, a sinking tide has the opposite, devastating effect, dragging down the most storied of stocks. Fortunately, thanks to their business models, there are a few stocks that held up amid the turmoil of the 2008 financial crisis. One of these, my pick for a stock that thrives in market crashes, is Atmos Energy Corporation. Almost a decade ago, the 2008-2009 crash sent the S&P 500 down over 60% from its highs. Atmos Energy, a Dallas, Texas-based natural gas distributor, saw its shares fall a mere 20% during the market's darkest days in spring of 2009.

Continue reading

Source: Fool.com