Winning Wallets in 2025: Which Stocks to Choose in Times of Trade Uncertainty

The first half of 2025 has brought a dramatic turn for global markets. After the record-breaking returns of 2024, stock indices now face unprecedented turbulence. The introduction of U.S. tariffs — 10% base, 50% toward the EU, 55% accumulated on China, 24% on Japan — has triggered an immediate reaction: initial panic followed by corrections and volatile rebounds. Gold reached historic highs surpassing $3,300 per ounce, reflecting a search for safe-haven assets amid a potential global trade war.

However, after the turbulence of March-April, major indices have regained ground and are once again moving at all-time highs. In this context of trade tension and significant volatility, identifying the best stocks to invest in 2025 requires a balance between safety, growth, and diversification.

The Five Most Promising Stocks for 2025 Portfolios

Novo Nordisk: Leadership in Metabolic Treatments

Novo Nordisk (NVO) dominates the diabetes and obesity market, although it faced challenges in 2025. In March, its shares fell 27% — the steepest decline since 2002 — due to emerging competition from Eli Lilly and disappointment with the CagriSema drug in Phase III.

Despite the setback, the company has taken decisive strategic moves. It completed the acquisition of Catalent for $16.5 billion in December 2024, expanding its manufacturing capacity. In March 2025, it signed an agreement with Lexicon Pharmaceuticals for $1 billion to license LX9851, a new drug with a different mechanism.

With operating margins of 43% and an ambitious pipeline — including amycretin with 24% weight loss in early studies — the global demand for metabolic therapies supports growth prospects. The current market correction presents an attractive opportunity for patient investors in this sector.

LVMH: Recovery in Asian Markets

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (MC), the French luxury leader, reported revenues of €84.7 billion in 2024 with an operating margin of 23.1%. However, January-April 2025 saw declines of 6.7% and 7.7%, driven by modest quarterly growth and U.S. tariffs of 20% (reduced to 10% until July with a threat of 50%).

The company strengthens competitiveness through digital innovation. It launched Dreamscape, an AI platform for price personalization, while expanding online channels. Growth catalysts persist: Japan showed double-digit sales in 2024, the Middle East grew 6%, and India will see new Louis Vuitton and Dior stores in Mumbai. The current correction offers an attractive entry point into a resilient global consumer brand.

ASML: Unmatched Advantage in Semiconductors

ASML Holding (ASML), the Dutch manufacturer of EUV lithography equipment, is the sole provider of machines essential for advanced chips. In 2024, it achieved €28.3 billion in sales with a gross margin of 51.3%. Q1 2025 showed €7.7 billion in sales and a record gross margin of 54%, with projections of €30-35 billion annually.

The stock fell about 30% over the past year due to reduced CapEx from Intel and Samsung, emerging Chinese competition, and Dutch export restrictions (which will cut sales to China by 10-15% without changing annual guidance).

Despite these headwinds, ASML maintains a technological monopoly position. The growing demand for chips for AI and high-performance computing underpins the structural need for its EUV systems. The recent correction presents an opportunity to capture exposure in the global semiconductor infrastructure.

Microsoft: Aggressive Bet on Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), the US tech giant, reported revenue of $245.1 billion in fiscal year 2024, up 16%, with net income of $88.1 billion (+22%).

It started 2025 with a 20% correction from all-time highs, reaching a low of $367.24 on March 31. Concerns about Azure slowdown, trade tensions, and regulatory uncertainty (FTC investigating monopolistic practices in cloud) weighed on the stock.

However, Q3 fiscal results (April 2025) were solid: revenue of $70.1 billion and an operating margin of 46%, with Azure growing 33%. Microsoft continues aggressive investment in AI and cloud, having laid off over 15,000 employees between May and July to redirect resources. With a strong financial position, the recent correction offers a more attractive valuation for investors in a leading cloud computing and generative AI company.

Alibaba: Beneficiary of Domestic Stimuli

Alibaba Group (BABA), the Chinese tech conglomerate founded in 1999, announced a three-year plan of $52 billion for AI-cloud infrastructure and a campaign of 50 billion yuan in coupons to revitalize consumption.

Q4 2024 showed revenues of 280.2 billion yuan (+8%), while Q1 2025 recorded 236.45 billion yuan with a +22% net profit, driven by an 18% rise in Cloud Intelligence.

Shares fell 35% from 2024 highs due to concerns over massive AI investments and China’s economic slowdown. Volatility persisted: rose 40% mid-February and declined 7% after March results.

Despite these challenges, the company continues investing in areas of structural growth. Capitalizing on current prices could offer significant returns when Chinese domestic stimuli prove effective.

Beyond the Top Five: Other Candidates for a Diversified Portfolio

Besides these five pillars, the best companies to invest in 2025 include other proven options: NVIDIA leads the AI chip market; TSMC controls global manufacturing of advanced semiconductors; Tesla maintains leadership in electric vehicles; JPMorgan Chase benefits from high interest rates; Exxon Mobil gains from oil prices; and Apple remains a stability bet. The original 15-company portfolio offers sectoral and geographic diversification for investors seeking to reduce idiosyncratic risks.

Selection Strategy in Volatile Times

Identifying the best stocks to invest in 2025 requires a clear methodology in the current protectionist environment:

Prioritize diversification: Combine companies with strong domestic presence with those less dependent on international trade. In an environment of rising tariffs, this mix reduces geopolitical exposure.

Quality and adaptability: Prioritize leading companies in innovation and digitalization. Those responding to global structural demand — like semiconductors for AI or metabolic treatments — can grow even in uncertain environments.

Informed flexibility: Stay updated on the political-economic environment to adjust portfolios before significant changes. Active monitoring of geopolitical risks will make the difference between protecting capital and incurring avoidable losses.

Complementary safe assets: Consider bonds and gold to offset potential corrections in equities, especially with high volatility.

Conclusion: Rational Investing in a Transition Year

2025 marks a transition from the exceptional returns of previous years toward unprecedented volatility and uncertainty. Past gains do not guarantee future results, but this current reality is unique and requires adaptation.

The winning strategy combines three elements: a diversified portfolio across sectors and regions; inclusion of safe assets for balance; and patience during corrections. Not panicking during dips and waiting for rebounds has historically been more profitable than selling in crises.

For 2025, investing in the best stocks to invest in 2025 means choosing solid companies positioned in sectors with structural demand, leveraging volatility for better prices, and maintaining long-term discipline. In times of trade and geopolitical uncertainty, this balance of informed boldness and prudence will remain the best defense of capital.