Most promising companies to invest in 2025: Opportunity analysis in volatile markets

The Economic Context: Trade Tensions and Repositioning Opportunities

Global financial markets are undergoing an accelerated transformation in 2025. Following tariffs implemented by the U.S. administration—including a base tariff of 10% on all imports, 50% on the European Union, 55% accumulated on China, and 24% on Japan—initial widespread panic ensued. Major stock indices plummeted, while gold reached historic highs surpassing $3,300 per ounce, reflecting investors’ search for protection amid a potential global trade escalation.

However, the trend changed. After the March-April correction, markets rebounded significantly, and currently, major indices are returning to levels of historic highs. Paradoxically, this environment of uncertainty creates opportunities for strategic investors seeking better companies to invest in 2025.

15 Key Companies: Investment Opportunities Overview

Below, we present an analysis of 15 companies that deserve special attention. The selection considers short- and medium-term growth potential, a moderate risk profile, and sectoral and geographic diversification:

Source: Google Finance data as of July 7, 2025

Selection Criteria: Why These 15 Companies

In a scenario marked by global uncertainty and potential trade conflicts, the strategy has been to balance between established global leaders and sectors capable of generating positive returns. Geographic diversification includes representatives from the US, Europe, and Asia to mitigate regional risks.

Sectors and Justifications:

• Energy and Commodities: Exxon Mobil benefits from high oil prices with proven financial discipline. BHP Group, specializing in iron ore, copper, and nickel, leverages sustained demand from emerging economies.

• Financial Services: JPMorgan Chase, the largest U.S. bank, capitalizes on high interest rates, its diversification across commercial banking, investment, and credit cards, and its strong position for international growth.

• Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare: Novo Nordisk leads in diabetes and obesity treatments with innovative drugs ensuring sustained expansion despite recent corrections.

• Luxury and Global Consumer: LVMH dominates with iconic brands and offers recovery through reopening Asian markets and a tourism rebound. Alibaba rebounded after less restrictive Chinese regulations and international expansion.

• Automotive: Toyota provides stability through leadership in hybrids and advances in electric vehicles. Tesla exemplifies rapid growth in the electric vehicle market.

• Semiconductors and Advanced Technology: NVIDIA leads in AI chips. TSMC is key in manufacturing advanced semiconductors. ASML is the sole provider of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, essential for next-generation chips.

• Tech Giants: Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet maintain strong positions due to profitability, diversification, and continuous innovation.

The Top Five Investment Opportunities in 2025

Within this universe, five companies stand out for particularly attractive profitability catalysts, combining growth, financial strength, and market leadership. Their recent price corrections offer favorable entry points:

( 1. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton )MC###

LVMH is the undisputed leader in global luxury, operating a portfolio that includes Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Fendi, Celine, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, and Sephora. This structure covers fashion, perfumery, cosmetics, jewelry, and premium alcoholic beverages.

In 2024, the company reported revenues of €84.7 billion with a recurring operating profit of €19.6 billion, reflecting an operating margin of 23.1%. These figures demonstrate resilience in a challenging economic environment.

In January 2025, the stock fell 6.7%, the largest drop in over a year. Subsequently, on April 15, shares declined 7.7% after reporting first-quarter sales of €20.3 billion, a 3% decline. U.S. tariffs of 20% applied in April to EU products (reduced to 10% until July 9 with threats of rising to 50%) negatively impacted the stock.

Despite these challenges, the correction presents an attractive entry point. LVMH enhances competitiveness through AI (Dreamscape platform) and digital expansion. Growth focuses include Japan (double-digit sales in 2024), Middle East (regional increase of 6%), and India (new Louis Vuitton and Dior stores in Mumbai).

( 2. Novo Nordisk A/S )NVO(

This Danish company leads in diabetes and obesity treatment. In 2024, sales grew 26%, reaching DKK 290.4 billion )approximately $42.1 billion(.

In March 2025, the stock dropped 27%, the sharpest decline since 2002, due to concerns over increasing competition from Eli Lilly and its drug Zepbound. Additionally, CagriSema, a new drug, did not meet weight loss expectations in phase III.

To strengthen its position, Novo Nordisk completed the acquisition of Catalent for $16.5 billion in December 2024, expanding production capacity. In March 2025, it signed an agreement with Lexicon Pharmaceuticals to license LX9851, an experimental obesity drug with a different mechanism, valued at $1 billion.

The company maintains solid margins of 43% and ambitious R&D spending. Its pipeline shines with the dual GLP-1/amylin molecule amycretin, which achieved 24% weight loss in early studies. May 2025 brought revised forecasts of 13%-21% after a temporary halt of Wegovy in the U.S., and the CEO announced a leadership change.

Global demand for anti-diabetes and anti-obesity therapies remains upward, positioning Novo Nordisk for positive long-term returns even in a competitive environment.

) 3. ASML Holding N.V. ###ASML(

ASML is a Dutch leader in semiconductor lithography equipment. Its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems are essential for manufacturing more advanced chips, positioning it as a critical player in the global tech industry.

In 2024, ASML achieved net sales of €28.3 billion and a net income of €7.6 billion, with a gross margin of 51.3%. The fourth quarter reported sales of €9.3 billion, exceeding expectations. In the first quarter of 2025, it recorded €7.7 billion in sales and a record gross margin of 54%, reaffirming revenue expectations between €30 billion and €35 billion for 2025.

Early 2025, shares declined about 30% from annual highs due to: reduced spending by key clients )Intel and Samsung(, emerging competition in lithography from China, and export restrictions )The Netherlands expanded export controls on January 15, projecting 10-15% cuts in sales to China###.

Despite challenges, ASML maintains a strong position. Projections for 2025 include net sales between €30 billion and €35 billion with gross margins between 51% and 53%. Growing demand for advanced chips for AI and high-performance computing sustains the need for EUV systems. The recent price correction may present an attractive opportunity for semiconductor exposure.

( 4. Microsoft Corporation )MSFT(

Microsoft stands out as a leading U.S. tech company with products like Windows, Office, Azure cloud platform, and Xbox. Through its Copilot ecosystem and strategic alliance with OpenAI, it has become a primary provider of generative AI for enterprises.

Fiscal year 2024 recorded revenues of $245.1 billion )up 16%(, operating income of $109.4 billion )up 24%(, and net income of $88.1 billion )up 22%###.

In early 2025, shares corrected approximately 20% from all-time highs, with an intraday low of $367.24 on March 31 and a Q1 decline of 11%. This retreat raised doubts about valuation, the relative slowdown of Azure growth, and a challenging macroeconomic environment. An FTC investigation into monopolistic practices in cloud also weighed.

However, Microsoft continues aggressive investments in AI and cloud. Results from Q3 fiscal 2025 in April showed solid performance: $70.1 billion in revenue with a 46% operating margin. Azure and cloud services grew 33%. This strategy involves record spending: between May and July 2025, over 15,000 layoffs were announced to redirect resources toward AI and streamline the structure.

Despite challenges, Microsoft maintains a robust financial position. The stock correction may present an opportunity to acquire a stake in a leading company at a more attractive valuation.

( 5. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. )BABA(

Founded in 1999, Alibaba is China’s leading tech company in e-commerce, cloud computing, and digital services. Its Taobao and Tmall platforms dominate the Chinese market, while AliExpress facilitates international trade.

The group announced a 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.

The quarter ending December 31, 2024, reported revenues of ¥280.2 billion )up 8%(. The quarter ending March 31, 2025, reported revenues of ¥236.45 billion with adjusted net profit up 22%, driven by an 18% increase in the Cloud Intelligence division.

January 2025 brought a stock decline, with a 35% retracement from 2024 highs, influenced by concerns over massive investments in AI and cloud computing, as well as trade tensions and economic slowdown in China. Since then, volatility characterized movements: a rise of over 40% until mid-February with a rebound in AI tech stocks, followed by a drop of more than 7% after March results were considered weak.

Despite challenges, Alibaba continues investing in strategic areas. Taking advantage of depressed prices now could be profitable in the future horizon.

Strategies for Identifying and Selecting Companies in 2025

In an economic context marked by trade tensions and rising tariffs, investors should adopt strategies that reduce risks and capitalize on genuine opportunities:

Comprehensive Diversification: Both across sectors and types of geographic exposure, it is essential. In a protectionist scenario, it is advisable to prioritize companies with a strong presence in domestic markets or business models less dependent on international trade.

Identifying Solid Companies: Firms with good financial position and adaptive capacity. Those leading innovation or digitalization can continue growing in uncertain environments, responding to global structural demand.

Active Monitoring of the Environment: Staying informed about the political, economic, and ongoing conflicts allows for anticipation and portfolio adjustment. Flexibility in the face of geopolitical risks will differentiate between capital protection and unnecessary losses.

Ways to Access These Investments

Investors have multiple channels to access the best companies to invest in 2025:

Individual Stocks: With an account at a bank or authorized broker, it is possible to directly purchase shares of desired companies.

Investment Funds: Include various stocks, often thematic )by country, sector(, and managed actively or passively. They allow diversification but reduce individual selection capacity.

Derivatives: Instruments like contracts for difference )CFDs### enable amplifying positions with less initial capital or hedging risks against volatility through leverage. In an environment of more aggressive economic policies and potential trade escalation, they can be interesting if properly diversified among derivatives and traditional assets, balancing risks while maintaining long-term exposure to promising sectors.

It is vital to remember that derivatives require discipline and solid knowledge, as leverage magnifies both gains and losses.

Conclusion: Rational Investing in Times of Uncertainty

2025 will likely be remembered as the year when the rally of record profits and returns of previous years abruptly slowed, giving way to unprecedented volatility and uncertainty. Investors must consider this fact when making decisions, recognizing that past gains never guarantee future results. The current reality is unique, with no clear precedents, making predictions about financial markets’ evolution difficult.

Practical Recommendations:

• Invest in a diversified portfolio across sectors and regions
• Incorporate safe-haven assets like bonds or gold to offset potential losses
• Avoid impulsive decisions: after significant declines, corrections often follow, and panic selling can amplify losses
• Maintain constant awareness of political, economic, and ongoing conflicts, understanding that being informed means being prepared

Discipline and fundamental analysis will continue to be the best defenses in volatile markets.