Bolting the Door and Stocking the Larder
When people feel unsafe, they take matters into their own hands. This is another uncomfortable truth that underpins this investment idea. Companies involved in personal security, from traditional firearms makers to firms like Byrna Technologies with their less-lethal alternatives, could see demand rise if social tensions simmer over. It’s a grim thought, but one that investors looking at the full spectrum of risk should probably consider.
Then there’s the most basic need of all, food. We saw how quickly supermarket shelves can empty. The idea of being able to grow your own food, therefore, has a powerful appeal. The hydroponics sector, which allows people to cultivate produce indoors without soil, could move from a niche hobby to a vital home utility. It’s the ultimate defence against broken supply chains. This isn't about replacing your entire portfolio with doom and gloom stocks. It's about acknowledging a growing trend towards self-sufficiency. You can see the types of businesses that fit this mould in thematic baskets, like the Apocalypse Proof, which group these crisis-ready firms together. It’s a fascinating, if slightly morbid, collection of companies.
Investing in this theme is a contrarian move. It’s a bet that while everyone else is hoping for the best, you’re quietly preparing for something else entirely. These companies often serve steady, niche markets during the good times. But in a crisis, their products could become as essential as water. Of course, there are no guarantees. These sectors can be volatile and subject to regulation. But as a hedge against a world that feels increasingly unpredictable, it’s an idea that, unfortunately, makes more sense every day.