Source: YouTube

President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs sparked a brutal sell-off across Wall Street, wiping out billions in market value and shaking investor confidence. But among the rubble emerged the top 5 stocks that not only survived the bloodbath but also gained. These firms either delivered solid earnings, revealed strong fundamentals, or operated in defensive sectors that shielded them from trade-related exposure.

Here are the top 5 stocks that survived the weekend warzone and proved that not all companies get dragged down during economic turbulence. ​Note that the stock prices and percentage changes mentioned are based on reports from April 4, 2025.

1. Lamb Weston Holdings (LW): $59.00 (+8.96%)

Lamb Weston, a leading producer of frozen potato products, emerged as a standout performer amid the market turmoil. The company's stock surged by 8.96% to close at $59.00 on April 4, 2025, following a robust fiscal third-quarter earnings report that exceeded expectations. Lamb Weston's confidence in meeting its 2025 revenue targets and its minimal exposure to tariff impacts bolstered investor sentiment.​

2. Philip Morris International (PM): $95.00 (+1.2%)

Philip Morris International, a global tobacco company, has benefited from its strategic movement toward smoke-free products like IQOS, with limited tariff exposure due to its global operations. This strategic positioning has contributed to its stock's resilience during market downturns.

3. CVS Health (CVS): $72.50 (+1.5%)

CVS Health, a diversified healthcare company, has shown resilience in the face of market volatility. The company's strong performance is attributed to its robust earnings and strategic initiatives in the healthcare sector.

4. Cencora (COR): $140.00 (+1.3%)

Cencora, a major pharmaceutical distributor, has profited from demographic trends and popular medications. With pharmaceutical products currently excluded from tariffs, the healthcare sector remains a safe-haven stock during economic instability, contributing to Cencora's positive performance.

5. SBA Communications (SBAC): $219.91 (+0.26%)

SBA Communications, a real estate investment trust specializing in wireless communications infrastructure, saw its stock rise by 0.26% to close at $219.91 on April 4, 2025. The company's focus on essential communication services, which are less susceptible to economic cycles, contributed to its resilience. Investors viewed SBA Communications as a defensive asset amid the broader market sell-off.

What Do These Stocks Have in Common?

While the broader market faced nuclear winter after President Trump’s new tariffs rattled investors, these five companies demonstrated something in common: they operate in essential or insulated sectors with strong pricing power or domestic dominance.

Companies like CVS Health and Cencora operate within the healthcare industry, providing indispensable services that maintain demand irrespective of economic conditions. Similarly, Philip Morris International's strategic pivot towards smoke-free products has positioned it favorably in a shifting market landscape. This focus on essential goods and services, coupled with strategic market positioning, has enabled these companies to withstand the adverse effects of tariff-induced market volatility.

In uncertain times, the market rewards stability, necessity, and insulation from international headwinds. That’s exactly what these names delivered. Whether through food, healthcare, communications infrastructure, or U.S.-based manufacturing, they reminded investors that not all stocks fall when the global order is tested. In fact, some rise not despite the storm, but because they were built to weather it.

Which of the top 5 stocks has you excited as we’re entering the dark days of the tariff? Tell us your picks as well!

 Loading ...