Evergy(EVRG) The Motley Fool·2025-04-06 09:45Core Viewpoint - The stock market is experiencing significant declines, reminiscent of the COVID-19 sell-off in 2020, with a looming global trade war and increased recession probabilities due to President Trump's new tariffs [1]. Group 1: Company Analysis - Kroger - Kroger's stock has risen approximately 14% despite the overall market downturn, indicating resilience [3]. - The company acknowledges potential tariff impacts, particularly on its produce business, but expects only a mid-single-digit percentage effect [4]. - Kroger is likely to perform well even in a recession, as grocery shopping remains essential, potentially increasing sales of its private-label products [5]. - Management expresses a proactive approach to tariffs, viewing them as an opportunity rather than a significant threat [6]. Group 2: Company Analysis - Evergy - Evergy, a utility company serving 1.7 million customers, has shown gains this year and is well-positioned amidst new tariffs [7]. - The company has a market cap of approximately 873.5 million for 2024, with a robust backlog of growth opportunities [8]. - There was no mention of tariffs in Evergy's earnings call, suggesting minimal impact from trade policies, and the company is expected to continue providing dividends with a yield over 3.8% [9]. Group 3: Company Analysis - Vertex Pharmaceuticals - Vertex Pharmaceuticals has seen its stock rise nearly 20% year-to-date, demonstrating strong performance amid tariff concerns [10]. - The company specializes in therapies for cystic fibrosis and is expanding its product line with new treatments, which are unlikely to be affected by tariffs [11]. - Vertex's pipeline includes several late-stage programs that could lead to significant revenue, including a potential cure for severe type 1 diabetes [13].