Which ETFs and stocks do well when there is a war or a recession?

**During times of war or recession, certain sectors and asset classes tend to perform better than others. Here are the key findings:**

1. **Defense Stocks**: Historically, defense stocks have benefited from increased military activity. However, there are no results currently available. Investors might consider defense stocks as they are often seen as a safe-haven investment during times of conflict.
2. **Utilities Sector**: The utilities sector is often considered recession-proof due to the inelastic demand for essential services such as electricity, gas, and water. Unfortunately, there are no results currently available for this sector.
3. **Consumer Staples**: Similar to utilities, consumer staples involve products that are essential for daily life, making them less sensitive to economic downturns. While there is no current data on performance, this sector could be a good consideration for recession-resistant investments.
4. **Financial Stocks with Strong Fundamentals**: During economic uncertainty, it's crucial to focus on well-managed companies with strong balance sheets, low debt, and good cash flow. This applies to stocks with a P/E ratio < 15 and a price-to-book ratio < 2. Wells Fargo (WFC) and Northrim Bancorp (NRIM) are examples of stocks that meet these criteria.
5. **Gold and Gold ETFs**: Gold is often seen as a safe-haven investment during times of economic uncertainty. Historical data shows that gold and gold ETFs can perform well during recessions.
6. **Printing and Publishing Sector**: Surprisingly, the printing and publishing sector outperformed during wartime, likely due to increased demand for information and communication materials.
7. **Alcoholic Drinks Sector**: This sector also showed resilience during wartime, possibly due to the continued demand for alcohol.

In conclusion, when considering investments during times of war or recession, it's essential to focus on sectors and stocks that are historically resilient in such environments. This includes defense stocks (pending results), utilities, consumer staples, financial stocks with strong fundamentals, gold-related investments, and certain service sectors like printing and publishing. It's important to note that while historical performance can provide guidance, it is not a guarantee of future results, and investment decisions should always be based on a thorough analysis of current economic conditions and individual circumstances.