Inflation Could Be Coming Back. 2 Stocks To Buy Now

Economic Overview - Gas prices have increased by approximately 27% since the onset of the war in Iran, raising concerns about widespread inflation as oil impacts various products and transportation costs [1] - The Producer Price Index (PPI) rose by 0.7% in February, significantly above the expected 0.3%, following increases of 0.5% in January and 0.4% in December 2025, with an annual increase of 3.4% in February [2][3] - Core prices, excluding volatile categories, increased by 3.5%, indicating potential for higher consumer prices as wholesale prices often lead retail price trends [3] AutoZone - AutoZone is identified as a countercyclical stock, performing better during economic downturns as consumers tend to delay new car purchases, leading to increased demand for auto parts [6][7] - The company has shown strong growth in comparable sales, with a 3.3% increase recently, and has historically rewarded investors through share buybacks, reducing shares outstanding by nearly 50% over the last decade [9][10] - AutoZone's stock has appreciated over 300% in the last decade and over 10,000% since its IPO in 1991, indicating strong operational performance [9] Dollar General - Dollar General benefits from consumers trading down to cheaper stores during tough economic times, with over 20,000 locations across the U.S. [11] - The company experienced a 75% stock increase last year due to a weakening labor market and new tariffs, with expectations for continued growth if inflation rises [12] - Comparable sales rose by 3% in 2025, and the company plans to open 460 new stores and remodel over 2,000 locations in 2026, despite conservative guidance for comparable sales growth of 2.2%-2.7% [14][15]