Trump's Team Says Don't Worry About Rising Inflation. Here Are 3 Stocks to Buy If They're Wrong.

By Keith Speights – Apr 14, 2026 at 3:45AM ESTKey PointsNextEra Energy operates the largest electric utility in the U.S. Vertex Pharmaceuticals markets therapies for treating cystic fibrosis and other diseases.Walmart is the world's largest consumer staples company and has a thriving e-commerce business.Gas prices have soared roughly 80% year to date. When transportation costs rise, so do the prices of most products.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell publicly acknowledged that the energy shock is causing considerable concern about the potential for a broader inflationary impact. However, White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai posted on X (formerly Twitter) that these are only "short-term disruptions" and "the American economy remains on a solid trajectory." National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett echoed Desai in an interview with Fox (FOX +2.41%) News, stating that high gas prices are a "temporary phenomenon" and that the "economy has so much momentum that it's humming along." Americans don't have to worry about inflation if Trump's team is right. But what if they're wrong? Here are three stocks to buy. Image source: Getty Images. 1. NextEra Energy Electric utilities are often some of the most inflation-proof investments on the market. They can typically pass higher costs along to consumers. And the electricity demand won't plunge as inflation rises. That makes NextEra Energy (NEE 1.85%) an attractive choice if the White House's optimism proves to be unfounded. NextEra is North America's largest electric power and energy infrastructure company. It owns Florida Power & Light, the largest electric utility in the U.S. The company's NextEra Energy Resources unit is also one of the largest energy infrastructure development companies in the country. ExpandNYSE: NEENextEra EnergyToday's Change(-1.85%) $-1.74Current Price$92.34Key Data PointsMarket Cap$192BDay's Range$91.94 - $94.2252wk Range$63.64 - $96.20Volume199KAvg Vol9.8MGross Margin36.20%Dividend Yield2.52% Like many utility stocks, NextEra Energy offers an attractive dividend. Its forward dividend yield is currently 2.7%. NextEra expects to grow the dividend by around 10% this year and by 6% per year through 2028. Even better, the company projects a compound annual growth rate for adjusted earnings per share of at least 8% through 2032. NextEra plans to triple the size of its renewables and storage business during that period. Its energy infrastructure unit has a pipeline of over $25 billion. 2.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Will higher inflation cause patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) to stop taking their medications? Of course not. As the maker of the only approved therapies that treat the underlying cause of CF, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX +0.87%) doesn't have to worry about inflation. While Vertex's CF products generate most of its revenue now, the company's future growth will likely be driven by other therapies. Journavx, a non-opioid pain medication, is especially important to Vertex's growth strategy. The company is targeting a year-over-year increase in Journavx prescriptions of over 3x in 2026. Casgevy, the first approved CRISPR gene-editing therapy, is also picking up momentum. ExpandNASDAQ: VRTXVertex PharmaceuticalsToday's Change(0.87%) $3.78Current Price$440.05Key Data PointsMarket Cap$112BDay's Range$433.68 - $445.1152wk Range$362.50 - $510.77Volume1MAvg Vol1.5MGross Margin86.32% Another key therapeutic category to watch with Vertex is renal disease. The company hopes to win accelerated approval for povetacicept in treating IgA nephropathy, a chronic kidney disorder, later this year. It also plans to report results from a pivotal study of inaxaplin for treating APOL1-mediated kidney disease by early 2027 and to quickly file for U.S. accelerated approval, pending positive results. 3. Walmart Walmart (WMT 1.74%) ranks among the most resilient stocks during turbulent periods, including times of rising inflation. It's the world's largest consumer staples company, operating more than 10,900 stores in 19 countries. E-commerce has also become a big business for Walmart. The company's global e-commerce net sales jumped 24% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2025, comprising 23% of total net sales. Walmart's e-commerce platform is particularly strong in the U.S. and China, where sales increased by 27% and 28%, respectively, in Q4. ExpandNASDAQ: WMTWalmartToday's Change(-1.74%) $-2.20Current Price$124.57Key Data PointsMarket Cap$993BDay's Range$123.95 - $126.3052wk Range$90.61 - $134.69Volume15MAvg Vol30MGross Margin23.41%Dividend Yield0.76% Walmart is also a member of the Dividend Kings, a group of stocks that have increased their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years. Earlier this year, Walmart raised its dividend for the 53rd consecutive year. Read NextApr 13, 2026 •By Matt DiLalloBest Wind Energy Stocks for 2026 and How to InvestApr 11, 2026 •By James HiresThe Energy Transition Isn't Dead. Here Are 2 Green Stocks Worth Buying This Month.Apr 2, 2026 •By Matt DiLalloBest Blue Chip Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2026Apr 2, 2026 •By Catie Hogan2 Green Energy Stocks to Buy in 2026Mar 28, 2026 •By James HiresHere's Why Nuclear Energy Stocks May Be the Smartest Buys of 2026Mar 26, 2026 •By Todd Shriber1 Energy Stock That Actually Benefits From $100 Oil (It's Not Who You Think)About the AuthorKeith Speights is a contributing Motley Fool healthcare analyst covering publicly traded companies across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, technology, and marijuana. Prior to The Motley Fool, Keith was CEO of Constant Care Technology, a healthcare technology company; vice president of American HealthTech, a healthcare software company; and a director of operations for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, a health insurer. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University.TMFFishBizStocks MentionedNextEra EnergyNYSE: NEE$92.34(-1.85%)-$1.74Vertex PharmaceuticalsNASDAQ: VRTX$440.05(+0.87%)+$3.78WalmartNASDAQ: WMT$124.57(-1.74%)-$2.20FoxNASDAQ: FOX$56.25(+2.41%)+$1.33*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.