Centene (CNC) Latest Which Stocks Stayed Green as the Market Plummeted? Only a handful of S&P 500 stocks managed to generate gains during the market's historic four-day plunge. 11 Defensive Stocks to Buy Now for Harder Times Later stocks to buy The best time to buy defensive stocks is before you need them. Here are 11 picks to buy now to prepare yourself for an eventual patch of turbulence. By Dana Blankenhorn Published 5 February 21 stocks to buy