Recession puts the spotlight on the video rental sector. NEW YORK (Fortune) -- When economic ill-winds start to blow, consumer businesses like booze and cigarettes have turned out to be safe harbors for investors. Will video rental king Netflix prove the same? With the average U.S. gas price at $4.09 a gallon and movie tickets at $10, it may be. "I don't know if Netflix is recession proof, but it's certainly an advantage, in the respect that Netflix is almost a substitute for going to the movies," says Needham analyst Charlie Wolf. Netflix signed up a record 764,000 subscribers in the first quarter, helping to push sales up 7% to $326.2 million over a year ago. First quarter earnings were $13.4 million or 21 cents a share, up from $10 million or 14 cents last year. The company, however, has trimmed its yearly profit outlook...
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