8 Recession-Resistant Stocks to Own as AI Fears, Tariffs Shake Market Confidence

Concerns are mounting in the markets
US tariffs and fears of AI-related disruption dominate the news
Which stocks should you turn to in order to weather a period of market turmoil?

Markets are turning more negative, with growing worries pushing US stock indices sharply lower at the start of the week on Monday.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said global US tariffs would rise from 10% to 15%. At the same time, concerns about how artificial intelligence could disrupt several industries continued to grow.

In tech news, Anthropic introduced a new tool that helps update old COBOL computer systems. COBOL is a decades-old programming language that still runs key systems in banking, airlines, and government departments. Updating this code usually requires large teams of specialists, and fewer developers today know how to work with it. The new tool aims to make that process faster and easier.

Shares of were hit hard after the news, dropping more than 13% by the close. , which also works closely with companies on technology upgrades, fell more than 6%.

A report from Citrini Research added to the negative mood. The report received wide attention and outlined a grim outlook for the impact of AI on industries such as software and payments.

According to the report, rapid advances in AI could replace large numbers of white-collar jobs. It warns of what it calls a global intelligence crisis, with US unemployment rising above 10% by 2028 as companies automate more roles.

After powering much of the bull market in recent years, AI is now viewed by many investors as a source of risk. There is a growing belief that only a small group of companies will capture most of the gains from this shift.

Against this backdrop, investors may need to brace for higher volatility and rethink how their portfolios are positioned.

That could mean leaning toward companies with strong balance sheets, steady cash flow, and resilient business models that can ride out downturns and potentially gain ground when weaker players struggle.

8 Recession-Resistant Stocks Built for Market Stress

To identify these names, investors can use the preconfigured Recession-Resistant Stocks filter available on the Investing.com stock screener, which highlights companies with strong balance sheets and stable earnings profiles.

This search allows you to find stocks that meet six criteria with a single click:

At present, the screen highlights more than 40 U.S.-listed companies. To narrow the list, we added one more filter, selecting only stocks that show upside potential of over 30% based on InvestingPro’s Fair Value estimate, which combines several established valuation models.

After applying this extra condition, the list shrinks to eight stocks:

More specifically, these stocks trade at discounts ranging from 31.2% to 73.2% based on InvestingPro’s Fair Value estimates.

There are also other ways to look for opportunities when recession risks rise. Dividend-paying stocks, for example, tend to attract attention during downturns because steady income can help cushion portfolio swings.

The Investing.com screener includes eight ready-made filters focused on dividend strategies, making it easier to spot income-oriented opportunities.

Please note: Some searches are reserved for InvestingPro subscribers with a PRO+ plan.

 

Disclaimer: This article is written for informational purposes only. It is not intended to encourage the purchase of assets in any way, nor does it constitute a solicitation, offer, recommendation or suggestion to invest. I would like to remind you that all assets are evaluated from multiple perspectives and are highly risky, so any investment decision and the associated risk belong to the investor. We also do not provide any investment advisory services.