The word "defensives" is spelled with the letter "s" after the "v" due to the pronunciation of the word. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be spelled /dɪˈfɛnsɪvz/. The "v" is pronounced as a voiced consonant, while the "s" is unvoiced. This causes the spelling to change in order to represent the sound accurately. "Defensives" is a plural form of "defensive," used to describe actions or strategies used to protect oneself or one's team.
Defensives refer to a category of financial assets that are considered to be relatively resistant to market volatility or economic downturns. This term is commonly used in the context of investment and finance. Defensives are sought after by investors as they are believed to provide a level of stability and safety during periods of market uncertainty.
Defensives typically include assets that belong to sectors such as consumer staples, healthcare, utilities, and telecommunications. These sectors are generally less prone to fluctuations in consumer spending patterns and tend to provide essential goods and services that people require regardless of economic conditions.
Investors often turn to defensives as a means of protecting their portfolios against potential losses when financial markets experience downturns or economic recessions. The rationale behind this strategy is that even during periods of economic hardship, people still need to purchase essential goods and services that these sectors offer. Therefore, these defensive stocks may continue to generate revenue and remain relatively stable, demonstrating a degree of resistance to broader market fluctuations.
While defensives are considered more stable, it is important to note that no investment is entirely risk-free and that unforeseen economic or market events may impact their performance. Nevertheless, defensives are commonly viewed as a potential source of stability and risk diversification within an investment portfolio.
The word "defensives" is derived from the Latin word "defensivus", which comes from the verb "defendere", meaning "to defend". "Defendere" is a combination of the prefix "de-" (meaning "down", "away", or "off") and "fendere" (meaning "to strike" or "to ward off"). Ultimately, the etymology traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*gʷʰed-", which means "to protect" or "to guard". Over time, "defensives" evolved from Latin into English, referring to things related to defense or protection.