8 'Rock Solid' Stocks Hold Strong During Iran War Chaos

• Three financials (U.S. Bancorp, Allstate, KeyCorp) are up exactly 0.1% YTD, with analysts forecasting 17%, 15%, and 17.7% upside respectively over the next 12 months
• The eight stable stocks span multiple sectors including financials, consumer staples (Philip Morris), industrials (Emerson Electric), utilities (AES), and communication services (Electronic Arts)
• Analysts project an average 13.2% gain for these rock-solid stocks over the next year, with KeyCorp expected to see 20% EPS growth in 2026 and 18% in 2027

Summary: 8 'Rock Solid' Stocks Hold Strong During Iran War Chaos

Amid geopolitical turmoil and market volatility, eight S&P 500 stocks are demonstrating exceptional stability with year-to-date performance ranging from -0.1% to +0.1%, significantly outperforming the broader S&P 500's 3.4% decline.

Key Holdings:

The financial sector dominates the list with three stocks up 0.1% YTD: U.S. Bancorp (USB), Allstate (ALL), and KeyCorp (KEY). Additional stable performers include Aflac (AFL), Philip Morris International (PM), Emerson Electric (EMR), AES, and Electronic Arts (EA).

Financial Sector Strength:

U.S. Bancorp shows projected EPS growth of 9% in 2026 and 11% in 2027. KeyCorp, despite a modest RS Rating of 78, anticipates stronger growth with 20% EPS expansion in 2026 and 18% in 2027. Analysts forecast 17% upside potential for both USB and KEY over the next 12 months.

Mixed Outlook:

Allstate presents a contrarian case with a weak RS Rating of 53 and projected EPS declines of 25% in 2026 and 1% in 2027, yet analysts still see 15% upside potential. The insurance firm may benefit from increased pricing power as investors seek risk protection.

Market Implications:

According to Brent Schutte, Northwestern Mutual's CIO, "The economy remains in a delicate balance," driving investors toward stability over growth. Collectively, these eight stocks carry an average analyst-projected upside of 13.2% over the next year, with Emerson Electric leading at 24.3% and Philip Morris at 21.5%.