Let’s face it – most financial and economic predictions are wrong. Something always comes out of the blue to scuttle even the most logical forecasts.

So Zacks is offering five “play it safe” stock investments for the new year.

“Several key market watchers signal higher volatility for the next year,” explains Zacks’ Swarup Gupta.

“In such a scenario, picking value stocks that have a low beta might be a prudent option. Beta measures the tendency of a stock's returns to respond to market swings. Low correlation stocks provide protection during turbulent times as they are less prone to day-to-day fluctuations.”

Zacks’ 5 selections:

• OFS Capital Corp. (OFS) is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. The stock has a dividend yield of 12.3%.
• Carnival Corp. (CCL) operates as a cruise and vacation company. As a single economic entity, Carnival Corporation & Carnival plc forms the largest cruise operator in the world. The stock has a dividend yield of 2.2%.
• Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp. (NNA) provides marine transportation services. It is an owner and operator of tanker vessels focusing on the transportation of petroleum products and bulk liquid chemicals. The stock has a dividend yield of 6.6%.
• Sibanye Gold Limited (SBGL) is a gold mining company based in Houghton, South Africa. The stock has a dividend yield of 2.9%.
• Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) is a biopharmaceutical company, which focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of drugs for several indications. The stock has a dividend yield of 1.7%.

Meanwhile, some experts see a brighter horizon for the coming year.

Stock-market guru Jeremy Siegel, professor of finance at the University of Pennsylvania, is looking for 10 percent earnings growth next year. And it will all be because of the Federal Reserve.

"I actually think we're not going to get four rate increases next year," the Wharton School professor told CNBC. "I think we're going to get two or three. I don't think we're going to get interest rates that are going to go up all the way back to the pre-crisis level," he said. "I think we're going to stay at low interest rates, and that's why I think valuations can stay on the high side."

Related Stories:

• Denis Kleinfeld: US Economy Heads Into 2016 Maelstrom
• Bob Doll: 'We're Going to Be OK' in 2016 as Oil, China Will 'Stabilize'