Two industrial stocks could hold up even if the AI bubble bursts, according to The Motley Fool's Reuben Gregg Brewer: United Parcel Service (UPS) and MP Materials. UPS is slimming down, investing in technology and exiting low-margin businesses. Third-quarter 2026 revenues rose 6.7% year over year, and it raised its full-year guidance for revenues, earnings, and free cash flow. The stock yields 6%. MP Materials is building a rare-earth metals business outside China, the dominant global player. Its second-quarter 2026 revenues grew nearly 90% as output from its new mine fed its processing facilities. Brewer calls MP Materials a high-risk investment, suited to aggressive investors.

UPS chief executive officer Carol Tomé says forwarding and logistics grew 17% in the quarter. Premium health care and data-centre construction helped drive the growth. Tomé spoke with Romaine Bostick on "Bloomberg The Close.

Early third-quarter earnings suggest US consumers are still spending, though not every company is benefiting. "Resilient" was the word many executives used this week, despite inflation, high interest rates and tension between the US and Iran. Royal Caribbean beat earnings expectations, with guests served up 9% to 2.7 million. Its shares rose over 8% on Tuesday. UPS beat expectations on earnings and revenue, with US revenue up 4.5% to $14.86 billion, and raised its full-year revenue forecast to about $92.6 billion from $91.2 billion. Coca-Cola beat expectations and lifted its full-year earnings growth forecast to at least 11%. Sherwin-Williams' net sales rose 7.9%, but it expects muted demand into 2027. Whirlpool missed on both revenue and earnings, and its North America net sales fell more than 8%.