Ever-growing fears of an financial recession have left traders scrambling to determine the way to shield their portfolios. Within the first quarter, U.S. GDP contracted by greater than 1% because the nation handled the unfold of the omicron Covid-19 variant. The financial system can also be seen as struggling within the second quarter, with the Atlanta Federal Reserve’s GDPNow mannequin indicating a achieve of simply 0.9% . The brand new estimate is down from an estimated improve of 1.3% a couple of week in the past. This sluggish financial exercise comes because the Federal Reserve raises rates of interest to fend off inflationary pressures not seen in many years. That mentioned, there are some shares that may publish strong returns in this type of surroundings, historical past reveals. To seek out them, CNBC Professional screened for S & P 500 shares that posted constructive whole returns (value positive aspects plus dividends) over the last 5 intervals of sluggish financial progress. We then ranked every inventory primarily based on their median returns throughout these time frames. The display used FactSet knowledge. We outlined sluggish progress as GDP of lower than 2%, however greater than unfavorable 2% in back-to-back quarters. We examined the next intervals: Q3-This fall of 2018; This fall 2016-Q1 2017; Q3-This fall 2015; Q2-Q3 2012 and Q2-Q3 2009. Listed below are the shares that posted the very best returns throughout these time frames. The search yielded a slew of shopper staple and utility names resembling Kimberly-Clark, Hershey , Clorox and Atmos Power . On a median foundation, Kimberly-Clark has returned 17% over the last 5 intervals of gradual financial exercise, whereas Hershey Atmos have every returned 15.8%. Clorox’s median return throughout these time frames got here out to 15.2%. Shares of Hershey and Atmos have outperformed this yr rising 9.5% and 11.8%, respectively. Kimberly-Clark is down 8% in that point, however that is nonetheless higher than the S & P 500’s greater than 12% drop. Clorox shares are down 22.6% yr thus far. Internet area registry firm VeriSign topped the record, with a median return of 24.4%, whereas cosmetics firm Ulta Magnificence got here in second, with a median return of 19%. VeriSign shares are down greater than 29% in 2022 as traders have shunned tech shares amid rising charges, however Ulta’s inventory has held up properly, rising 2.7% in that point. Dow Jones Industrial Common element Coca-Cola additionally made the record, with a median return of 10% during the last 5 intervals of gradual financial exercise. The corporate’s inventory is doing properly this yr, rising 6.6%. In late April, Coca-Cola reported a 16% year-over-year bounce in income and maintained its outlook whilst inflation surged. Different shares that made the record are: McCormick , Pinnacle West Capital , Ameren , Chubb , DTE Power , American Tower Corp ., American Electrical Energy and Eversource Power . Backside line: The financial system could also be slowing, however these shares might supply sturdy returns and bolster your portfolio, if historical past is any indication.