The universe, as anyone who’s attempted to file their taxes can attest, is a deeply improbable place. And yet, here we are, perpetually surprised when things don’t go exactly as predicted. Economists, bless their hearts, are currently engaged in a fascinating debate about whether or not we’re on the verge of a recession. Some say yes, some say no, and the rest are probably busy calibrating their crystal balls. (It’s a surprisingly technical process, involving a lot of static and the occasional rogue pigeon.) But even if the economic meteor doesn’t actually strike, a prudent investor, one who’s considered the sheer existential dread of running out of biscuits, might consider companies that perform reasonably well when everyone else is panicking. Let’s examine two such entities: CVS Health (CVS 2.73%) and Gilead Sciences (GILD +1.32%). Not because they’re guaranteed success, of course. Nothing is ever guaranteed. Except, perhaps, death and taxes. And even those are subject to audit.
1. CVS Health
CVS Health, a chain of pharmacies so ubiquitous it’s practically woven into the fabric of American life, operates over 9,000 locations. This isn’t merely a matter of retail expansion; it’s a subtle form of territorial dominance. They’ve been dispensing remedies and dubious snacks for decades, accumulating a level of community trust that borders on the unsettling. (One wonders if they have a secret archive of medical histories and questionable life choices.) A recession might affect their bottom line, naturally. People might, in a fit of economic prudence, attempt to not buy quite so many lottery tickets and oversized chocolate bars alongside their prescriptions. But CVS is more than just a place to pick up your antibiotics; it’s a convenience store, a MinuteClinic, and a burgeoning health insurance provider. This diversification, while arguably a sign of late-stage capitalism, does provide a degree of resilience. They’re not just selling you pills; they’re selling you the idea of wellness, and that, my friends, is a remarkably profitable business.
CVS Health has experienced some turbulence lately, particularly within its Medicare Advantage (MA) business. Attempting to control costs in healthcare is, let’s be honest, a bit like trying to herd cats while simultaneously juggling flaming torches. But they’ve been recalibrating, scaling back the MA business to focus on profitable growth. A sensible move, one might argue, unless you’re a cat. The stock currently offers a dividend yield of 3.4%, which is significantly higher than the S&P 500‘s paltry 1.2%. They’ve also increased their dividend by 56.5% over the past decade. A solid, if unexciting, performer. It’s not going to make you a billionaire overnight, but it might just help you afford a slightly nicer brand of biscuits.
2. Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, a biotech company with a portfolio of drugs that reads like a science fiction novel, is best known for its work in HIV treatment. They’ve developed some of the leading medications, including Biktarvy and Descovy, effectively turning a once-fatal disease into a manageable condition. (A remarkable achievement, even if it does mean we have more people around to worry about the impending heat death of the universe.) They’ve also expanded into oncology and, rather famously, developed Veklury, the first approved treatment for COVID-19. (A moment of brief, fleeting triumph in a sea of global chaos.)
Gilead’s products, particularly those in the HIV franchise, are the sort of thing people will prioritize even during a recession. When faced with the choice between paying the rent and accessing life-saving medication, most will choose the latter. (A testament to the enduring power of the human spirit, or perhaps just a rational calculation of risk.) Sales growth has been somewhat sluggish recently, partly due to fluctuating demand for Veklury, but Gilead has a robust pipeline, especially in oncology, that promises to deliver new products and boost sales. They’re essentially betting on the continued existence of cancer, which, sadly, seems like a fairly safe bet.
And, of course, there’s the dividend. A forward yield of over 2.3%, with a 90.7% increase in payouts over the past decade. Gilead Sciences, therefore, can provide a degree of stability to a well-diversified portfolio when the economic seas become choppy. It won’t solve all your problems, of course. But it might just allow you to face the apocalypse with a slightly fuller biscuit tin.
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2026-03-11 13:04