Motley Fool Picks 3 Defensive Stocks for 2026 Sell-Off as EZCORP Rides 150% Surge
Updated
Updated · The Motley Fool · Jul 5
Motley Fool Picks 3 Defensive Stocks for 2026 Sell-Off as EZCORP Rides 150% Surge
3 articles · Updated · The Motley Fool · Jul 5
Summary
Three stocks — EZCORP, Carriage Services and York Water — were highlighted as hold-through-the-storm buys for a potential 2026 market sell-off because their demand is seen holding up in weak economies.
EZCORP is the most expansionary of the group, having taken control of Founders One's 105 stores to reach about 1,500 locations in 16 countries and launched online car title loans in Texas.
That case comes with a key caveat: EZCORP shares have climbed roughly 150% in a year, helped by gold above $5,000 an ounce, while scrap margins jumped to 38% from 22% and could normalize.
Carriage Services offers non-cyclical funeral and cemetery demand, but its growth push relies on leverage after a Knoxville acquisition and a new $60 million credit facility.
York Water adds utility stability with a dividend paid every year since 1816, though its recent $48 million stock offering underscores the trade-off of dilution and rate-sensitive regulated returns.