Five tech and luxury companies to bet on in 2025: investment strategy amid tariffs

2025 has brought a radical shift in global financial markets. Following the record-breaking returns of 2024, the imposition of tariffs by the United States—10% base on all imports, with peaks of 55% on China, 50% on the European Union, and 24% on Japan—has generated considerable volatility. Although stock indices faced initial pressures, they have recovered ground toward all-time highs after months of corrections. In this environment of uncertainty, identifying the most robust companies becomes critical.

Five Leading Companies to Invest in 2025

In the face of these tariff tensions, there are real opportunities in sectors with resilient structural demand. The following five companies combine financial strength, market leadership, and innovation capable of generating positive returns even in adverse contexts.

Novo Nordisk: Leading pharmaceutical company facing competitive challenges

The Danish company specializing in diabetes and obesity reported a 26% increase in sales in 2024, reaching approximately $42.1 billion. However, it faced a 27% drop in March 2025, the steepest since 2002, due to emerging competition from Eli Lilly with its drug Zepbound.

Despite these pressures, Novo Nordisk has executed key strategic moves: completed the acquisition of Catalent for $16.5 billion in December 2024, expanding its manufacturing capacity. In March 2025, it licensed LX9851 to Lexicon Pharmaceuticals for $1 billion, gaining access to a different mechanism of action in obesity treatment.

The company maintains operating margins of 43% and an ambitious R&D budget. Its pipeline features a dual GLP-1/amylin molecule that achieved 24% weight loss in preliminary studies. Although it lowered its sales forecast to a range of 13%-21% in May 2025, the sustained global demand for anti-obesity therapies positions the company for long-term positive performance.

LVMH: Recovery opportunity in global luxury

The French luxury goods giant reported revenues of €84.7 billion in 2024, with a recurring operating margin of 23.1%. However, it faced significant corrections in January (6.7%) and April (7.7%) after Q1 results showed modest growth of 3%.

U.S. tariffs of 20% applied in April on European Union products directly impacted LVMH’s shares, which generate a significant portion of sales in the U.S. Despite this, the stock correction presents attractive opportunities.

The company strengthens its competitiveness through technological innovation—launching the AI platform Dreamscape to personalize pricing and experiences—and digital expansion. It identifies growth focuses in Japan (double-digit sales in 2024), the Middle East (regional increase of 6%), and India, where it plans new Louis Vuitton and Dior stores in Mumbai.

ASML: Essential provider in semiconductor technology

The Dutch company, a dominant player in extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV), achieved sales of €28.3 billion in 2024 with a gross margin of 51.3%. In Q1 2025, it recorded sales of €7.7 billion and a record gross margin of 54%, projecting revenues between €30 billion and €35 billion for all of 2025.

Shares experienced an approximate 30% decline over the past year due to several factors: reduction of capex in companies like Intel and Samsung, emergence of Chinese competition in lithography, and Dutch export restrictions (which estimate a 10-15% cut in sales to China, though without changing the annual guidance).

Despite these challenges, ASML maintains a dominant position. The growing demand for advanced chips for AI and high-performance computing ensures sustained need for its EUV systems. The recent correction presents an entry opportunity for investors seeking exposure to the semiconductor sector.

Microsoft: Valuation correction after regulatory pressures

The U.S. tech giant reported revenues of $245.1 billion in fiscal year 2024, with 16% annual growth. Net income reached $88.1 billion, up 22%.

In early 2025, shares experienced a roughly 20% correction from all-time highs, with an intraday low of $367.24 on March 31. This retreat reflected doubts about valuation, the relative slowdown of Azure growth, and macroeconomic pressures from tariff tensions and high interest rates. Additionally, FTC investigations into monopolistic practices in cloud and cybersecurity weighed on the stock.

However, in April 2025, Microsoft posted solid Q3 fiscal results: revenues of $70.1 billion with a 46% operating margin, while Azure and cloud services grew 33%. The company continues aggressive AI investments, though it is executing internal adjustments—more than 15,000 job cuts between May and July to redirect resources toward AI.

Microsoft maintains a robust financial position. The recent correction could be an opportunity for investors interested in leading companies with more attractive valuations.

Alibaba: Resurgence in Chinese tech with volatility

The Chinese tech conglomerate, dominant in e-commerce through Taobao and Tmall, announced a three-year plan of $52 billion to strengthen AI and cloud infrastructure. Additionally, it launched a campaign of 50 billion yuan in coupons to revitalize domestic consumption.

In the quarter ending December 31, 2024, Alibaba reported revenues of ¥280.2 billion, an 8% annual increase. In the quarter ending March 31, 2025, revenues were ¥236.45 billion with adjusted net profit growing 22%, driven by an 18% increase in Cloud Intelligence.

Shares experienced significant volatility: a 35% drop from 2024 highs in January due to concerns over AI investments and trade tensions; a subsequent 40% rebound until mid-February; and a new 7% decline after March results were considered weak.

Despite these volatile movements, Alibaba continues to position itself as a key player in China’s digital economy. Current prices offer opportunities for investors with an extended time horizon.

Strategy to Identify Leading Companies in 2025

In a context marked by protectionism and new tariff tensions, investors should adopt clear approaches:

Sectoral and geographic diversification: Prioritize companies with strong presence in domestic markets or business models less dependent on international trade. This reduces exposure to tariffs.

Innovative and adaptable companies: Those leading in digitalization and innovation can grow even in uncertain environments, responding to global structural demands such as AI, advanced semiconductors, and sustainable energy.

Constant monitoring of political and economic environment: Flexibility and active risk assessment make the difference between protecting capital and incurring unnecessary losses.

Access to These Top Companies for Investing in 2025

Investors interested in these leading companies have multiple options:

Individual stocks: Through an account with a bank or authorized broker, directly purchase desired shares.

Investment funds: Include various thematic (by country, sector) funds managed actively or passively, allowing diversification but with less control over specific selection.

Derivatives: Contracts for difference (CFDs) enable amplifying positions with less initial capital or hedging risks amid volatility through leverage. In environments of aggressive economic policies, diversifying between derivatives and traditional assets balances risks while maintaining exposure to promising sectors.

Leverage requires discipline and solid knowledge, as it can magnify both gains and losses.

Final Reflection: Navigating 2025

2025 will likely be remembered as the year when the record rally in returns slowed, giving way to unprecedented volatility and uncertainty. Investors must recognize that past gains never guarantee future performance.

In this unique context, the most prudent strategy includes: building diversified portfolios both sectorally and geographically, allocating a portion to safe assets like bonds or gold to offset potential losses, avoiding impulsive decisions driven by panic, and staying informed about ongoing political, economic, and conflict developments.

Being informed is being prepared. The best companies to invest in 2025 will be those demonstrating adaptability and financial solidity in an unprecedented scenario.