Most of the members of the All-Weather Stock List we launched in late February are doing their job, holding value with some even notching gains during this incredibly tough environment for investors in which one comment from President Donald Trump can rip the Dow Jones Industrial average by 1,000 points in either direction. Today, we’ll be adding Netflix to the list based on Wall Street’s growing belief that the streamer can thrive during any economic conditions that may lie ahead because of its stable market share. First, let’s review the current members of the portfolio and how they are doing. As a reminder, we started this list as our worries grew about the market setup, and its goal is to feature investments that have stable cash flow and income that will hold up under any economy. Here are the current members of the list: You can view the lists and other lists we are adding here . Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway remains the star ahead of its annual meeting in about two weeks as investors believe a $300 billion cash hoard will allow the “Oracle of Omaha” to ride out a possible recession and more importantly, capitalize on it with some astute asset purchases on very favorable terms. Waste Management is another winner so far with its recession-resilient revenue line. Our dividend exchange-traded fund is not working as well as the others as the market correction takes down a broad swath of stocks. Regardless, most of the investments are outperforming the market during this tough time. New addition: Netflix Adding a one-time high beta internet stock to a list of defensive companies would have been unheard of a few years ago, but here we are. Netflix is America’s entertainment company and just as cable companies were at one time considered recession-proof, the streamer is now increasingly looked at on Wall Street as a defensive stock with resilient revenue as viewers will still use it during tough times. NFLX YTD mountain Netflix, YTD The stock hit an all-time high last week after reporting a 13% increase in revenue for the first quarter despite the emerging tariff turmoil. “Netflix, as measured in quarters, is a predictable business,” wrote Morgan Stanley analyst Benjamin Swinburne this week. “That predictability, combined with a business that should be relatively resilient in a tougher macro, support our [overweight] view.” Deutsche Bank said this week that Netflix was the “most immune” stock in the media industry from the tariff-related economic turmoil and it “offers both defensiveness and growth.” Hedge funds are also hiding out in Netflix, believing it is the one “Magnificent Seven” name that can keep thriving. Shares of the streamer have an average hedge fund weight of more than 10% right now, compared with about a 1% weight in the S & P 500, according to Jefferies’ latest analysis. That makes it the biggest long of hedge funds at the moment. It does worry us a bit about adding this stock to the defensive list when it is trading near an all-time high, but I think the market in this case is correct, anticipating an environment where Netflix is one of the few tech winners the remainder of the year as tariff uncertainty hits the economy and restrains investor risk-taking. Reminder: This is not a portfolio, but a starting point for research for investors with a gloomy macro view. Get Your Ticket to Pro LIVE Join us at the New York Stock Exchange! Uncertain markets? Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange. In today’s dynamic financial landscape, access to expert insights is paramount. As a CNBC Pro subscriber, we invite you to join us for our first exclusive, in-person CNBC Pro LIVE event at the iconic NYSE on Thursday, June 12. Join interactive Pro clinics led by our Pros Carter Worth, Dan Niles and Dan Ives, with a special edition of Pro Talks with Tom Lee. You’ll also get the opportunity to network with CNBC experts, talent and other Pro subscribers during an exciting cocktail hour on the legendary trading floor. Tickets are limited!
These all-weather stocks are beating the market this year. And here’s another addition to the list
Apr 23, 2025
