Volatility 2025: Company Guide to Buying Stocks with Profit Potential

2025 has brought about a radical change in global financial markets. After the historic records of 2024, investors now face a completely different scenario: unprecedented tariff tensions, extreme volatility, and buying opportunities at more accessible prices.

The Context: Why It’s Time to Reconsider Your Strategy

The US administration has implemented an aggressive tariff package: 10% on all imports as a base, 50% on the European Union, 55% accumulated on China, and 24% on Japan. This measure initially caused panic in the markets, but after the March-April correction, the main stock indices have been regaining ground.

Gold has reached all-time highs above $3,300 per ounce, reflecting a search for refuge. However, this does not mean that equities should be abandoned: many companies to buy stocks in 2025 present real opportunities, especially those trading at more attractive valuations after recent corrections.

The Top 5 Options: Companies to Buy Stocks in 2025

1. Novo Nordisk (NVO): Leadership in Diabetes and Obesity

Novo Nordisk is the Danish company dominating the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Its 2024 figures were impressive: sales of 290.400 billion Danish kroner (42.100 billion dollars), with a 26% increase.

However, in March 2025, the shares experienced a 27% drop, their worst performance since 2002. The reasons: intensified competition from Eli Lilly and disappointing results in phase III of CagriSema.

Why does it remain attractive? The company has taken key strategic moves:

• Completed the acquisition of Catalent for $16.5 billion in December 2024, expanding production capacity
• In March 2025, licensed LX9851 from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals for $1 billion, accessing an innovative mechanism of action
• Maintains margins of 43% and has R&D ambitions
• Its molecule amycretin achieved a 24% weight loss in preliminary studies

Global demand for obesity and diabetes therapies continues to expand, positioning Novo Nordisk for positive long-term returns.

2. LVMH (MC): Resilient Luxury After the Correction

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is the French luxury powerhouse, with iconic brands like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Tiffany & Co., and Sephora. In 2024, it reported revenues of €84.7 billion and recurring operating profit of €19.6 billion, reflecting a margin of 23.1%.

Shares fell 6.7% in January 2025 and another 7.7% in April, after revealing modest quarterly growth (-3%). The US tariffs of 20% (temporarily reduced to 10%) affected this slowdown.

Where is the opportunity? LVMH identifies promising growth areas:

• Japan: double-digit sales growth in 2024
• Middle East: regional growth of 6%
• India: expansion with new Louis Vuitton and Dior stores in Mumbai
• AI platform Dreamscape to personalize prices and experiences

The stock correction makes it a company to buy stocks with recovery potential.

3. ASML (ASML): The Advanced Chip Factory

ASML is Dutch and unique in its kind: it manufactures EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography machines essential for producing the world’s most advanced chips. Without it, the semiconductor industry could not advance.

In 2024, it achieved net 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%.

Shares fell approximately 30% over the past year due to:

• Capex reduction by Intel and Samsung
• Emerging competition from Chinese companies
• Export controls from the Netherlands (estimated sales reduction to China of 10-15%)

However, ASML projects revenues between €30 billion and €35 billion for 2025. The demand for chips for AI and high-performance computing remains structural and global. The price correction is a window of opportunity.

4. Microsoft (MSFT): Repositioning in AI

Microsoft is the US tech giant with dominant products: Windows, Office 365, Azure, and Xbox. Its strategic alliance with OpenAI positions it as a key provider of enterprise generative AI.

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

In early 2025, it corrected about 20% from highs, reaching $367.24 on March 31. Reasons include valuation doubts, relative slowdown of Azure, and FTC investigation into monopolistic practices.

Why recover? In April 2025, it presented solid Q3 fiscal results: revenues of $70.1 billion, operating margin of 46%, and Azure grew 33%. It also announced layoffs of 15,000 to redirect resources to AI, signaling strategic reorientation.

Microsoft maintains an unwavering financial position and continues to be a key tech investment.

5. Alibaba (BABA): Chinese Tech Revival

Alibaba, founded in 1999, dominates Chinese e-commerce through Taobao and Tmall. Recently, it announced a three-year plan of $52 billion for AI and cloud infrastructure, plus 50 billion yuan in coupons to revitalize domestic consumption.

In Q4 2024, it reported revenues of 280.2 billion yuan (+8%), and in Q1 2025, revenues of 236.45 billion yuan with adjusted net profit growing 22%. The Cloud Intelligence division advanced 18%.

Shares fell 35% from 2024 highs, influenced by investor concerns over large AI investments, trade tensions, and Chinese slowdown. It then recovered over 40% in February, though lost 7% after March results considered weak.

Despite volatility, Alibaba continues investing in future growth areas. Current low prices could translate into future profitability.

The Top 15 Companies: A Complete Opportunity Overview

Besides the five mentioned, this selection includes other interesting assets:

Energy Sector: Exxon Mobil (XOM) benefits from high oil prices; BHP Group (BHP) leverages demand from emerging economies in metals like copper and nickel.

Financial Sector: JPMorgan Chase (JPM) benefits from high interest rates, diversification in commercial and investment banking, and strong financials for international growth.

Pharmaceutical Sector: Beyond Novo Nordisk, the industry shows sustained potential.

Automotive Sector: Toyota ™ offers stability in hybrids and EVs; Tesla (TSLA) leads innovation in EVs.

Semiconductors: TSMC (TSMC) is key in global manufacturing; NVIDIA (NVDA) dominates chips for AI.

Tech Giants: Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), and Alphabet (GOOGL) maintain stability and combined growth.

How to Select the Best Companies to Buy Stocks

In this uncertain environment, investors should adopt clear strategies:

Comprehensive Diversification: Combine different sectors and geographies. In protectionist scenarios, prioritize companies with strong domestic presence or models less dependent on international trade.

Seek Financial Strength: Leading innovation or digitalization companies can grow even in uncertain environments, responding to structural and global demand.

Stay Informed: Monitor political, economic, and geopolitical conflicts. Flexibility and active risk assessment will make the difference between protecting capital and incurring unnecessary losses.

Ways to Invest in These Companies to Buy Stocks

Individual Stocks: Direct purchase through a bank account or authorized broker.

Investment Funds: Thematic diversification by country, sector, or strategy, managed actively or passively.

Derivatives (CFDs): Amplify positions with less initial capital or hedge risks against volatility through leverage. Requires discipline and solid knowledge, as it multiplies both gains and losses.

Final Reflection: Investing in 2025 with Perspective

2025 will be remembered as the year when the record-breaking rally of previous years slowed down, giving way to unprecedented volatility and uncertainty. Reality is unique and without precedents, making predictions difficult.

So, what can an investor do?

Invest in sector- and geography-diversified portfolios. Include safe assets like bonds or gold to offset potential losses. Avoid panic-driven decisions. After significant drops, corrections often follow, and panic selling amplifies losses.

Finally, stay attentive to current politics, economics, and ongoing conflicts. Being informed means being prepared. The companies to buy stocks exist; it’s about identifying them and acting with discipline.