Five Companies that Have Stood Through Numerous Recessions

Today's economy is clearly very bad. The consumer isn't confident because there is absolutely no reason to be confident right now. The job market is deterioriating in a big way. The housing market continues to set records for how badly it is doing on a month to month basis. The credit markets have yet to unfreeze, and our banking system is forever changed due to use of too much leverage and debt. One could go on and on, but the fact is there is a whole lot of uncertainty in today's economy. I thought it would be very appropriate to look at five companies who have proven to be able to weather any economic conditions and perform well.

Five companies who have withstood the test of time and economic hardships

1. Johnson and Johnson- I don't know how I could start with any other company. Johnson and Johnson, or JNJ, has an amazing business model that has led to 75 straight years of sales increases on a year to year basis. This number is absolutely staggering given the number of economic slowdowns that have occurred in the past 75 years. JNJ has a line of products in several different areas that people need, no matter what the economic conditions are. The balance sheet at JNJ is stocked full of cash and the company has increased its dividend to investors for 45 consective years.

2. Coca Cola- Coca Cola has one of, if not the best, brand name in all of the world. That brand name is worth a whole lot, and it has helped the company survive the worst of times since Coca Cola was first sold in 1886. The company has a healthy dividend that attracts investors in down periods. Coca Cola has a very strong business outside the United States which should help offset any domestic downturns.

3. Proctor and Gamble- Proctor and Gamble had a humble beginning way back in 1837, but it has grown into a multi-national power. P&G boasts a lineup of products that are quite recession proof and it owns of the most solid balance sheets out there. The stock has outperformed through recessions time after time, and I expect that to continue.

4. Altria- The company formerly known as Phillip Morris has been through lots of legal battles, but it has come through very strong. The cigarette business is definitely one that is recession proof. Altria boasts a dividend of over 8% at today's stock prices, which speaks volumes about the financial health of the company.

5. General Electric- General Electric would have been higher on this list a couple of years ago, but recent problems in its financial business have brought the company down a few notches. The company still has a great line of products and is more diversified than any other company in the world, which should be worth quite a bit in the years to come.