2025: How to choose profitable stocks amid global volatility?

Global stock markets are experiencing a turbulent moment in 2025. Following tariffs implemented by the U.S. administration —10% general on imports, 50% on the EU, 55% on China, and 24% on Japan— investors face unprecedented uncertainty. However, amidst volatility and corrections, there are real opportunities to invest in stocks with recovery potential.

The context: Why is 2025 different?

Unlike 2024, when markets hit record highs, 2025 has brought significant corrections in U.S., European, and Asian indices. Meanwhile, gold surpassed $3,300 per ounce, reflecting investors’ flight to safety.

The interesting part is that after the initial panic in March-April, markets have rebounded. Major indices recovered lost ground and are moving near all-time highs again. This suggests that current volatility creates opportunities to buy cheap stocks with rebound potential.

Five companies with the greatest potential in 2025

1. Novo Nordisk: The bet on metabolic health

The Danish company leads in diabetes and obesity treatments. In 2024, its sales increased by 26%, reaching approximately $42.1 billion.

However, competition is intensifying. In March 2025, shares fell 27% —the largest drop since 2002— due to concerns over rivals like Eli Lilly and its drug Zepbound. Additionally, its new drug CagriSema did not meet expectations in phase III.

Why is it still interesting? Novo Nordisk has made key strategic moves: acquired Catalent in December 2024 for $16.5 billion to expand manufacturing capacity, and licensed LX9851 from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals for $1 billion in March 2025, adding a new mechanism against obesity.

The company maintains margins of 43% and continues investing in its pipeline. Its dual GLP-1/amylin molecule amycretin achieved up to 24% weight loss in early studies. Although it lowered sales forecasts to a range of 13%-21% after a temporary halt of Wegovy in the U.S., global demand for metabolic therapies remains on the rise.

Current price: $69.17 | Market cap: $241.55 billion | YTD return: -19.59%

2. LVMH: Luxury in recovery

This diversified French company with iconic brands (Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Fendi, Bulgari, Sephora) reported revenues of €84.7 billion in 2024 with an operating margin of 23.1%.

However, it faced corrections: fell 6.7% in January 2025 and retreated another 7.7% in April after reporting Q1 revenues of €20.3 billion, a 3% decline. U.S. tariffs of 20% (reduced to 10% until July 9) also pressured its shares.

What is the turning point? LVMH identifies promising growth areas: Japan advanced to double digits in 2024, the Middle East grew 6%, and India will host new Louis Vuitton and Dior stores in Mumbai. The company also launched the Dreamscape AI platform to personalize experiences and expanded digital channels.

Current price: €477.3 | Market cap: €237.19 billion | YTD return: -25.24%

3. ASML: The bottleneck of technology

This Dutch company manufactures extreme ultraviolet lithography machines (EUV), essential for producing advanced chips. In 2024, it achieved sales of €28.3 billion and net income of €7.6 billion, with a gross margin of 51.3%.

In Q1 2025, it recorded €7.7 billion in sales and a record gross margin of 54%, confirming expectations to generate between €30 billion and €35 billion in 2025.

Why did it fall 30% in the last year? Companies like Intel and Samsung reduced investments in advanced equipment, while Chinese lithography competition increases. Additionally, the Netherlands expanded export controls on January 15, 2025, impacting sales to China by 10-15%.

Why recover? TSMC and SK Hynix maintain high capex due to AI demand. The growing need for advanced chips for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing supports ASML’s position as a unique asset in its market.

Current price: $799.59 | Market cap: $305.87 billion | YTD return: 14.63%

4. Microsoft: The bet on enterprise AI

The company reported fiscal year 2024 revenues of $245.1 billion (+16%), operating income of $109.4 billion (+24%), and net income of $88.1 billion (+22%).

Its shares corrected 20% from all-time highs in 2025 so far, reaching lows of $367.24 on March 31. The first quarter closed with an 11% decline due to relative slowdowns in Azure and trade tensions.

The renewal factor: In April 2025, Microsoft posted solid Q3 fiscal results: revenues of $70.1 billion and an operating margin of 46%. Azure and cloud services grew 33%. The company is investing aggressively in AI but requires record spending: between May and July, it announced over 15,000 layoffs to redirect resources to AI and streamline its structure.

Why consider it? Microsoft maintains a robust financial position, leadership in generative AI through Copilot, and a partnership with OpenAI. The correction presents an opportunity to acquire stakes at a more attractive valuation.

Current price: $491.09 | Market cap: $3.71 trillion | YTD return: 18.35%

5. Alibaba: Chinese tech resurgence

This Chinese company, a leader in e-commerce (Taobao, Tmall, AliExpress), announced a three-year plan of $52 billion to strengthen AI and cloud infrastructure, plus a campaign of 50 billion yuan in coupons to revitalize domestic consumption.

In Q4 2024, it reported revenues of ¥280.2 billion (+8%). In Q1 2025, revenues were ¥236.45 billion with adjusted net profit growing 22%, driven by an 18% rise in Cloud Intelligence.

Value volatility: Shares fell in January 2025, accumulating a 35% retreat from 2024 highs due to concerns over large AI investments and trade tensions. They rose over 40% in February with a rebound of AI tech stocks but fell 7% after March results were considered weak.

Why bet on recovery? Alibaba continues to invest aggressively in strategic areas. The current low prices offer an opportunity for long-term positions if China implements additional economic stimuli.

Current price: $108.7 | Market cap: $259.53 billion | YTD return: 28.20%

Other relevant assets for 2025

Beyond the five highlighted companies, a diversified portfolio strategy should include:

Energy sector: Exxon Mobil (XOM, $112) benefits from high oil prices with disciplined finances (+4.3% YTD). BHP Group (BHP, $50.73) leverages demand from emerging economies for metals like copper and nickel (+3.46% YTD).

Finance: JPMorgan Chase (JPM, $296) stands out as the largest U.S. bank, benefiting from high interest rates and diversification across commercial banking, investment, and credit cards (+23.48% YTD).

Semiconductors: NVIDIA (NVDA, $110) dominates the AI chip market, though it corrected -17% YTD. TSMC (TSMC, $234.89) is key in global advanced semiconductor manufacturing (+18.89% YTD).

Automotive: Toyota (TM, $174.89) provides stability with leadership in hybrids and advances in electric and hydrogen vehicles (-10% YTD). Tesla (TSLA, $315.65) represents accelerated growth in electric vehicles (-21.91% YTD).

Tech giants: Apple (AAPL, $212.44), -4.72% YTD(, Amazon )AMZN, $219.92(, +1.83% YTD), and Alphabet (GOOGL, $178.64), -5.16% YTD( remain key bets for profitability, diversification, and innovation.

Practical strategy: How to build a resilient portfolio

In a context of tariffs and volatility, investors should be strategic:

Sector and geographic diversification: Prioritize companies with a strong presence in domestic markets or business models less dependent on international trade. In protectionist scenarios, this is the main defense.

Identify adaptable leaders: Solid companies with good financial positions and leadership in innovation or digitalization respond to global structural demand, growing even in uncertain environments.

Stay informed: Flexibility and active risk assessment make the difference between protecting capital and incurring unnecessary losses. Trade tensions, regulatory changes, and conflicts require constant monitoring.

Combine safe-haven assets: Bonds and gold offset potential losses. In 2025, with unprecedented volatility, a balanced mix is vital.

Don’t panic: After big drops, corrections follow. Selling in panic can multiply losses. Patience and discipline are valuable assets.

Ways to invest in these stocks

Direct purchase: Buy individual stocks through a broker or authorized bank entity.

Investment funds: Include various thematic stocks )by country, sector managed actively or passively. Great for diversification, but you lose the ability to pick specific stocks.

Derivatives CFDs: Allow amplifying positions with less initial capital or hedging risks against volatility thanks to leverage. Interesting in aggressive policy contexts but require discipline and solid knowledge, as leverage magnifies both gains and losses.

Final reflection

2025 will be remembered as the year when the record-breaking rally abruptly slowed, giving way to unprecedented volatility and uncertainty. Historical data never guarantees future results, but the current reality is unique.

What can investors do now? Build sector- and geographically diversified portfolios, complemented with safe-haven assets. Stay informed about political, economic, and current conflict developments. And remember that being prepared means being informed.

The corrections in 2025 offer real opportunities for those who stay calm and act strategically. The best stocks to invest in now combine growth potential, financial strength, and adaptability to uncertain environments.