Boom or recession? 2 FTSE 100 shares I think are nailed on to perform regardless

The UK is facing the worst and longest recession in the G7. At the same time, there are bullish expectations for FTSE 100 exceed 8,000 points by the end of the year. I think it’s a mixed picture to say the least.

No deep recession is guaranteed. There is no guarantee that the FTSE 100 index will break the 8,000 mark. However, I intend to diversify my portfolio with as few FTSE 100 stocks as possible. Ideally this performance will come regardless of the performance of the domestic economy.

Domestic pain or global gain

A recent survey by Financial Times highlights that Britain is expected to have the harshest recession out of the G7 countries. As such, I focus more on the global facing FTSE 100 rather than the more domestically concentrated. FTSE 250.

Fortunately, I believe the FTSE 100 has been compared with the best monopoly stocks for me to pick from.

The consumer staples sector is one of the best performers in my eyes. Consumers will always buy food, household products, and alcohol, regardless of financial means. Of course, the market leader in this sector attracted my attention.

FTSE 100 consumer defence

Consumer defense specialist Unilever plc and Diageo plc is my current favorite choice.

Despite strong margin pressure, Unilever is one of the most stable performers in the FTSE 100 in volatile 2022. The company experienced a significant decline in sales volume. However, the underlying business still posted higher sales because it was able to raise prices significantly.

With this superpower pricing, I expect there will be more demand for the stock if business conditions generally deteriorate. Although, I still have to remember that the volume of sales can decrease even more if inflation remains stubbornly high.

Meanwhile, Diageo’s range of beverage marker products in the industry is relevant. The company’s sales, operating profit, and margins all grow in 2022. To me, the definition of consistent performance is snow or ice. So I was surprised that the share price has fallen by almost 10% in the last 12 months.

However, discounts may apply. North America buys beverages in smaller volumes. It is bad because the company generates a third of its sales from this area.

Tough FTSE 100 shares

A balanced portfolio in times of inflation and recession is a must for me. Despite the problems, I believe FTSE 100 stocks like Unilever and Diageo can add value to my portfolio. Most importantly, this can be a negative or positive growth environment.

In my opinion, the consumer staples sector is the most notable for having stocks where the underlying business performs consistently. This is regardless of changes in economic conditions or phases of the business cycle.

Therefore, I am itching to buy shares in one of the stocks this year. I just need to be careful about the costs I expect to incur in the new portfolio changes before I make the move.