The ultimate guide: where to invest in 2025 according to experts and market data

The current scenario defining the companies to invest in

2025 marks a significant turning point in financial markets. After record-breaking returns in 2024, investors now face a radically different landscape characterized by extreme volatility primarily caused by new US tariff policies.

The Trump administration has implemented a series of base tariffs of 10% on all imports, with rates escalating dramatically depending on the origin: 50% for the European Union, 55% accumulated for China, and 24% for Japan. This aggressive trade strategy has generated immediate turbulence in global stock markets, while safe-haven assets like gold have reached historic levels exceeding $3,300 per ounce.

However, after the March-April correction, major indices have shown recovery, returning to levels of all-time highs. This panic-rebound dynamic has created windows of opportunity to identify companies to invest in with solid short- and medium-term prospects.

Five companies to invest in 2025: detailed analysis

1. Novo Nordisk (NVO) – Leadership in high-impact therapies

This Danish company dominates the diabetes and obesity treatment segment, recording a 26% sales growth in 2024 to $42.1 billion.

Shares fell 27% in March 2025, the steepest decline since 2002, due to emerging competitive pressures. However, the company responded with decisive strategic moves: completed the acquisition of Catalent for $16.5 billion to expand production capacity, and signed an agreement with Lexicon Pharmaceuticals for $1 billion to license LX9851, an experimental drug with a differentiated mechanism.

Its solid margins of 43% and promising pipeline, particularly the dual GLP-1/amylin molecule with up to 24% weight loss in early studies, support the global structural demand for these therapies. Despite the competitive environment, the company maintains a favorable position for long-term profitability.

2. LVMH (MC) – Recovery in luxury markets

The French luxury giant reported revenues of €84.7 billion in 2024 with an operating margin of 23.1%, demonstrating strength even in a challenging economic context.

Shares experienced declines of 6.7% in January and 7.7% in April after modest first-quarter results, also affected by 20% US tariffs on EU products. This stock correction presents attractive opportunities considering the company’s innovative strategy.

LVMH enhances competitiveness through its Dreamscape AI platform for pricing and experience personalization, along with aggressive digital expansion. Growth areas identified in Japan (double-digit sales in 2024), Middle East (+6% regional), and India with new Louis Vuitton and Dior stores in Mumbai support future demand prospects in global luxury.

3. ASML (ASML) – Unique position in semiconductor technology

This Dutch company is the only global provider of extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machines, essential for manufacturing advanced chips. In 2024, it achieved net sales of €28.3 billion with a gross margin of 51.3%, and in Q1 2025 recorded €7.7 billion with a record margin of 54%.

Shares fell 30% over the past year due to reduced capex from clients like Intel and Samsung, emerging Chinese lithography competition, and Dutch export restrictions from January 2025 that will reduce sales to China by 10-15%.

Despite these challenges, the projected 2025 sales between €30-35 billion with gross margins of 51-53% remain robust. The structural demand for advanced chips for AI and high-performance computing supports the need for their EUV systems, positioning ASML favorably after the correction.

4. Microsoft Corp (MSFT) – Bets on AI and cloud

Microsoft reported revenues of $245.1 billion in fiscal year 2024, a 16% growth, with an operating income of $109.4 billion (+24%). Its Copilot ecosystem and strategic alliance with OpenAI have made it a leading provider of enterprise generative AI.

In early 2025, shares retreated 20% from all-time highs, reaching a low of $367.24 on March 31, with an 11% decline in the first quarter. This retreat reflects doubts about valuation, the relative slowdown of Azure, and macroeconomic pressures from trade tensions and FTC regulatory investigations into monopolistic practices.

However, in April 2025, it reported a solid third fiscal quarter: revenues of $70.1 billion with a 46% operating margin, while Azure grew 33%. Record spending on AI and layoffs of 15,000 between May and July reflect strategic reconfiguration toward emerging technologies, maintaining a strong financial position and presenting an opportunity for investors at more attractive valuations.

5. Alibaba (BABA) – Resurgence of Chinese technology

Alibaba reported revenues of 280.2 billion yuan in Q4 2024 (+8%), and in Q1 2025, 236.45 billion yuan with an adjusted net profit +22%, driven by an 18% increase in Cloud Intelligence.

Shares fell 35% from 2024 highs in January due to concerns over large investments in AI and cloud computing, as well as trade tensions and China’s economic slowdown. The subsequent volatility showed a 40% rally in mid-February followed by a 7% decline after March results.

The three-year plan of $52 billion to strengthen AI and cloud infrastructure, along with a campaign of 50 billion yuan in coupons to revitalize domestic consumption, demonstrates strategic commitment. Taking advantage of current low prices offers profitable potential for medium-term horizons.

Complete outlook: 15 prominent companies to position in 2025

Beyond the top 5, a diversified portfolio benefits from additional exposure:

Energy: Exxon Mobil (XOM) at $112 with YTD return of 4.3%, and BHP Group (BHP) at $50.73 with 3.46%, both benefiting from commodity prices and emerging demand.

Finance: JPMorgan Chase (JPM) at $296 shows a YTD return of 23.48%, standing out as the largest US bank with capacity to benefit from high interest rates and international diversification.

Semiconductors and technology: TSMC at $234.89 (+18.89% YTD), NVIDIA at $110 with dominant presence in AI chips, Microsoft at $491.09 (+18.35%), Apple at $212.44, Amazon at $219.92 (+1.83%), and Alphabet at $178.64 (-5.16%).

Automotive: Toyota ™ at $174.89 provides stability in hybrids and electric vehicles, while Tesla (TSLA) at $315.65 represents accelerated growth in the EV segment.

Tech luxury: ASML at $799.59 maintains a unique position as a provider of EUV lithography machines.

Investment strategy for a volatile environment

In 2025, economic volatility demands a disciplined approach. Investors should prioritize:

Multilevel diversification: Combining sector exposure (technology, energy, luxury, finance) and geographic diversification (U.S., Europe, Asia) reduces regional risks. This dispersion is critical in a potential trade war scenario.

Identifying financial strength: Companies with solid margins, positive cash flow, and adaptability thrive even amid uncertainty. Leaders in innovation or digitalization respond to global structural demand, not cyclicality.

Complementary safe assets: Bonds and gold offset potential losses in stocks during extreme turbulence, especially with gold surpassing $3,300 per ounce.

Continuous geopolitical monitoring: Active tracking of trade policies, regulatory tensions, and unexpected economic events determines timely portfolio adjustments. Flexibility will make the difference between capital protection and unnecessary losses.

Investment mechanisms: options to access these companies where to invest

Direct stock purchase: Through authorized brokers, individual acquisition of selected company shares.

Thematic investment funds: Funds by country, sector, or technology offer automatic diversification, though they limit control over specific asset selection.

Derivatives and CFDs: Contracts for difference allow amplifying positions with less initial capital or hedging risks against extreme volatility through leverage. In a context of aggressive economic policies, balancing derivatives with traditional assets maintains long-term exposure to promising sectors, though it requires strict discipline as leverage magnifies gains and losses simultaneously.

Final reflection: investing in 2025 requires strategic clarity

2025 is shaping up as a year of upheaval: previous record returns have given way to unprecedented volatility and uncertainty. Markets oscillate between panic and rebound, creating windows of opportunity for smart positioning.

The rational investor must avoid emotional decisions driven by short-termism. Historically, major corrections precede significant recoveries, so panicked selling amplifies unnecessary losses.

The key lies in building a diversified sectoral and geographic portfolio, continuous monitoring of political-economic developments, and selectivity in companies to invest in that combine financial solidity with prospects for structural growth. In such an environment, timely information and disciplined strategy surpass short-term predictions.