Many of these stocks have a low beta, which evaluates how sensitive a stock's past performance has been compared to the fluctuations of the market as a whole. Many of these businesses also pay out respectable dividends, which is made possible by the longevity of their operations and the robustness of their cash flows. A low beta and higher yields make these stocks good core holdings for defensive investing portfolios. These portfolios seek to minimize their exposure to market risk. Here is a list of seven dividend stocks with the little risk you should consider purchasing in a volatile market.

American Electric Power Co. Inc.

Because of the inelastic nature of their services, utility stocks are good candidates for lower-risk defensive holdings. During a recession, consumers may choose to reduce their expenditure on discretionary items, but it is improbable that they would fail to pay their utility payments. As a result, these businesses have a greater ability to keep their profit margins and profits stable even when the economy is in a downturn. American Electric Power is an excellent large-cap utility company to purchase since it produces and transports electricity throughout the United States utilizing a variety of different energy sources, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, and wind power. Retail consumers comprise American Electric Power's clientele; the company also serves wholesale clients in smaller electric utilities, towns, and rural electric cooperatives.

Verizon Communications Inc.

In the United States telecom industry, publicly listed corporations operate in a strong oligopoly, which means they face little to no competition and have an unending client base. This quality has, throughout the years, been crucial in assisting telecom businesses in achieving robust cash flows and substantial dividend payments. Verizon, one of the world's leading suppliers of wireless and internet services, is an excellent choice for a large-cap investment in this industry.

AT&T Inc.

AT&T, active in the same industry as Verizon and has historically performed comparably, makes for an excellent tax-loss harvesting combination for investors who already own Verizon. Alexander Graham Bell, the man who invented the telephone, established AT&T in 1876, and the company currently provides services to retail and business customers all over the globe. In April 2022, the corporation decided to concentrate on making its core operations more efficient, so it separated its entertainment division and renamed it Warner Media.

Clorox Co.

Customers who shopped during the pandemic may recall the frantic search for disinfection and cleaning items sold out, which benefited manufacturers. In addition to manufacturing its namesake brand of disinfectant, this consumer staples stock also manufactures a broad variety of detergents, packaged meals, vitamins and supplements, water filtration devices, and cat litter, amongst other things. Products manufactured by Clorox are sold all over the globe owing to an extensive distribution system that includes mass shops, online merchants, and direct sales.

Kellogg Co.

Kellogg, one of the world's major makers of snack and pre-packaged food, is another company that belongs to the consumer staples sector and has a historically stable revenue. Kellogg continues to retain a significant position in the convenience food business by using well-known brands such as Rice Krispies, Pop-Tarts, Cheez-It and Frosted Flakes. The firm reported profits per share of 90 cents, up from 89 cents in the same period last year, and a year-over-year sales increase of 9%, which is above analysts' forecasts for the company's fiscal third-quarter 2022 earnings report.

Campbell Soup Co.

During economic downturns, when people have less disposable income, there is often an upsurge in demand for inexpensive, non-perishable food goods that come in canned form. Another noteworthy firm that manufactures consumer staples, Campbell Soup, is a market leader in this sector. The firm is most well-known for its condensed and ready-to-serve soups, but in addition to those items, it also sells a range of sauces, drinks, crackers, potato chips, and bakery goods.

Gilead Sciences Inc.

Companies engaged in creating and producing pharmaceutical items, such as those in the healthcare industry, tend to see evergreen demand for their goods and services. Even in times of decreased consumer expenditure, healthcare items are often the last to be discontinued. Gilead Sciences is a good choice since it has minimal volatility. Tamiflu is an antiviral medication used to treat influenza. Truvada is a prophylactic antiretroviral medication used to prevent HIV infection in people who have not yet been exposed to the virus. Letairis is a medicine that treats pulmonary arterial hypertension.