Which type of stock would be best to own if the market is experiencing a significant downturn?

A stock with a beta of 1 moves in line with the market. While it does not exhibit additional volatility, it also does not provide any cushion against market declines. Thus, owning such a stock during a downturn could result in losses that mirror the broader market, which is not optimal for risk-averse investors.

A stock with a beta of 1.5 is more volatile than the market, meaning it tends to increase more than the market during upswings but also decreases more sharply during downturns. This higher risk makes it a poor choice when the market is experiencing negative trends, as it could result in significant losses.

A stock with a beta of 2 is highly volatile, indicating that it is likely to double the market's movements, both up and down. In a downturn, this stock would likely experience substantial losses, making it an unsuitable investment for those looking for stability amid market turbulence.