Core Viewpoint - Netflix and Casey's General Stores are recommended as strong investment options that are likely to perform well even if AI stocks experience a significant decline, which could negatively impact the broader market [2]. Group 1: Netflix - Netflix is the world's largest video streaming service with over 300 million paid memberships globally, and it plans to expand into the video podcast space in early 2026 through a partnership with Spotify [6]. - The company announced a $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios, including HBO and HBO Max, which is expected to close in 12 to 18 months pending approvals [7]. - Netflix's revenue increased by 17% to $11.51 billion in Q3, with EPS rising by 8.7% year over year, despite some earnings being affected by a dispute with Brazilian tax authorities [10]. - The company achieved its highest quarterly "view share" ever in the U.S. and U.K., and it projects a revenue growth of 17% and EPS growth of 28% for Q4 [11]. - Netflix's stock gained 70.7% during the Great Recession, while the S&P 500 fell by 35.6% during the same period, indicating its resilience in challenging economic times [8]. Group 2: Casey's General Stores - Casey's General Stores operates 2,895 locations across 19 states, making it the third-largest convenience store chain in the U.S. [14][15]. - The company offers a unique product mix, including gasoline, freshly prepared food, and its popular made-from-scratch pizza, ranking as the fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S. [16]. - In fiscal Q1 of 2026, Casey's revenue increased by 11% to $4.57 billion, with net income surging by 20% year over year, translating to EPS growth of 20% [18]. - The stock pays a modest dividend yielding 0.4%, which can contribute positively to long-term returns [18]. - During the Great Recession, Casey's stock declined only 11.5%, showcasing its stability compared to the S&P 500's 35.6% drop [19].