7 Defensive Stocks to Buy for a Bear Market Today, we’ll introduce seven defensive stocks to buy for a bear market. As broader indices try to stabilize, investors are looking for robust shares that could hold up well in current volatility. InvestorPlace readers are keeping a close eye on the SP 500 index, which has declined roughly 18% in 2022. Earlier in June, markets plunged after the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced an inflation rate of 8.6% over the past 12 months. It was above the 40-year high of 8.5% recorded in March. In 2022, the severe macroeconomic climate increased market volatility and forced investors look toward defensive plays. These companies typically operate in sectors like healthcare, utilities, consumer staples, real estate and precious metals. Many of them also come with good dividend yields. In early May, data released by Morningstar revealed that the net inflows into defensive exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have jumped to roughly $50 billion year-to-date (YTD). That amount is already up more than $8 billion from the net inflows into defensive ETFs seen in 2021. 7 Warren Buffett Stocks to Buy for a Bear Market With that information, here are seven defensive stocks to buy that could generate consistent returns throughout 2022 despite the market selloff.