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Nasdaq Correction: Can Buying These 2 Safe Stocks Today Set You Up for Life?
The Motley Foolยท 2025-03-12 20:30
Group 1: American Express - American Express is one of the largest credit card issuers globally and operates the third-largest payments network in the U.S., providing a vertical integration advantage [3] - The company serves a premium customer base focused on travel, entertainment, and food, generating revenue from card swipe fees, credit card loan balances, and annual fees [4] - Concerns exist regarding the impact of a potential consumer spending recession on American Express's revenue streams, particularly after Delta Airlines reduced its Q1 revenue guidance [4] - Despite these concerns, Delta's premium, international, and loyalty revenue are growing as expected, indicating resilience in American Express's premium customer base [5] - American Express's stock is currently available at a discounted price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 18, down 20% from its highs, presenting a buying opportunity [5] - The company has a long history of weathering economic challenges and is expected to create wealth for shareholders in the long term [6] Group 2: Alphabet - Alphabet, the owner of Google, YouTube, and Google Cloud, is facing stock market pressure due to concerns about competitive threats from artificial intelligence (AI) [7] - Fears exist that users may switch from Google Search to AI-driven tools like ChatGPT, potentially reducing Alphabet's advertisement revenue [8] - However, Alphabet's financial performance contradicts these fears, with Google Search revenue increasing from $48 billion in Q4 2023 to $54 billion in Q4 2024 [9] - The integration of AI tools into Google Search is leading to an increase in search queries, countering Wall Street's concerns [9] - Google Cloud is experiencing significant growth, with an annual revenue run rate of $48 billion and a year-over-year growth rate of 30% [10] - YouTube is generating over $50 billion in annual revenue, which, along with Google Cloud, can offset any potential declines in Google Search revenue [11] - Alphabet's stock is trading at a P/E of 20, with consolidated revenue growing over 10% per year, making it a strong buy-and-hold investment during the current market correction [11]