Here's why they picked Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX). David Jagielski (Gilead Sciences): Investors can minimize their risk in the event of a recession by investing in businesses that provide essential products and services and that also pay a dividend to help offset declines in the event of dropping share prices. Gilead Sciences meets both of those criteria, as its HIV treatments are vital to patients.