What are the best stocks to buy in 2025?

As 2025 settles into a rapidly changing economic climate, amid the continuation of the monetary tightening cycle, signs of recovery in certain key areas, and major technological upheavals, stock markets are being reshaped. In this shifting context, one question preoccupies investors: which stocks should be favoured this year to capture growth while managing risks?

Between the tech giants making a comeback, industrial stocks boosted by reindustrialisation and the rise of clean energy, and players in artificial intelligence and precision health, 2025 could well be the year of key choices for savvy portfolios. The question remains: where to look — and, above all, why?

Discover here the actions to follow, the best dividend stocks as well as growth stocks for long-term investment, in South Africa and internationally.

Top 10 best stocks of this year

1. Shoprite – Retail giant with strong growth momentum

Shoprite continues to dominate South Africa’s grocery retail space with increasing revenue, store expansion, and improved margins. Its investment in digital retail and customer loyalty programmes is paying off.

🎯 2025 Target Price: R350.00
(vs current ~R281.00)

📉 Despite a challenging consumer environment, Shoprite remains a defensive and growth-oriented stock in the local equity landscape.

2. FirstRand – Resilient banking leader with fintech upside

FirstRand, owner of FNB, is one of the most efficient banks in the country. With growth in digital banking and solid returns on equity, it is well-positioned for further performance as interest rates normalize.

🎯 2025 Target Price: R86.00
(vs current ~R69.00)

📉 Its consistent dividend payouts and innovative approach make it an attractive pick for both income and growth investors.

3. Naspers – A tech holding with global exposure

Naspers gives South African investors exposure to global tech growth via its significant stake in Tencent (through Prosus). Its discount to net asset value remains appealing to long-term investors.

🎯 2025 Target Price: R4,400.00
(vs current ~R3,610.00)

📉 While volatile, its underlying tech assets and strategic shifts may unlock additional value going forward.

4. MTN Group – Africa’s mobile and fintech champion

MTN is rapidly transforming from a traditional telco into a diversified digital service provider, with fintech and mobile money leading future growth. Its operations across Africa provide high growth potential.

🎯 2025 Target Price: R115.00
(vs current ~R92.00)

📉 Despite regulatory headwinds, MTN’s scale and strategy make it a dynamic long-term play in emerging markets.

5. Sasol – Rebounding energy and chemicals player

Sasol is benefitting from higher oil prices and internal restructuring. Its focus on cost control and emissions reduction positions it for stability and moderate growth.

🎯 2025 Target Price: R175.00
(vs current ~R140.00)

📉 Sasol’s cyclical nature comes with risk, but current valuation levels suggest room for upside.

6. Discovery – Integrated health and financial services disruptor

Discovery blends health insurance, life cover, investment and banking into a unique model. Its Vitality wellness programme adds defensiveness and customer retention value.

🎯 2025 Target Price: R152.50
(vs current ~R122.00)

📉 A differentiated business with long-term growth driven by innovation and data-centric services.

7. Anglo American – Resource exposure with a green tilt

Anglo is a diversified mining company with a strong pipeline in platinum, copper and critical green economy metals. It’s investing heavily in sustainability and next-gen mining technology.

🎯 2025 Target Price: R700.00
(vs current ~R560.00)

📉 Commodity price swings apply, but the structural demand for cleaner materials keeps Anglo relevant.

8. Microsoft – Digital infrastructure powerhouse

Microsoft remains essential in cloud computing, enterprise software, and now AI development. Its diversified revenue streams and strong balance sheet make it a global core holding.

🎯 2025 Target Price: $433.00
(vs current ~$346.80)

📉 For South African investors seeking global tech exposure, Microsoft offers long-term upside with relative resilience.

9. Visa – Global digital payment enabler

Visa benefits from the global shift to cashless payments. Its scalability and innovation in payment security and crypto infrastructure position it for consistent earnings growth.

🎯 2025 Target Price: $367.00
(vs current ~$293.65)

📉 As digital transactions expand across Africa and the world, Visa remains a foundational stock for growth portfolios.

10. Tesla – Electric mobility and energy disruptor

Tesla is far more than a car company. Its focus on clean energy, battery storage, and AI-driven manufacturing continues to capture investor imagination and capital.

🎯 2025 Target Price: $265.00
(vs current ~$212.00)

📉 While volatile, Tesla’s bold vision and rapid growth make it a top pick for high-risk, high-reward investors.

What are the best dividend stocks?

Here is a summary table of the best South African dividend stocks for 2025, selected for their high yield and financial strength. 

What are the best growth stocks in 2025?

Here is a summary table of the best growth stocks for 2025, selected for their potential for stock appreciation, their sales dynamics and their long-term prospects. The selection emphasizes solid South African companies, complemented by some essential international stocks.

Geographic Focus: Where to Invest in 2025?

🏰🇦 South Africa: Still the heart of innovation, but at what price?

In 2025, the United States maintains its status as the driving force of global markets, driven by tech, AI, and services. Giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia continue to capture the majority of flows, with impressive growth. But the valuation requirement remains high: investing in the USA means betting on innovation... but also accepting to pay dearly for this premium for excellence. Rigorous selection is essential.

🇿🇦 South Africa: Selection of defensive and industrial opportunities

In South Africa, the focus is on stabilisation. While growth remains moderate, the environment favours solid industrial stocks (like those found locally) and certain well-managed financial players. South Africa also offers an attractive playing field for cautious profiles looking for yield and diversification. Political risk, although present, is more integrated into prices.

🇿🇦 South Africa & emerging markets: rebound or trap?

After a period of 2021-2023 marked by instability and regulatory restrictions, China is showing signs of recovery. Players like Alibaba are benefiting from a gradual re-rating. However, the geopolitical environment and the lack of transparency still weigh heavily. In 2025, these markets represent more of a tactical option than a fundamental conviction, to be handled with caution.

🏴🇿 / 🏴🇿 Other specialised markets: commodities and energy in the spotlight

Canada and Australia maintain their appeal as niche markets focused on natural resources, renewable energy or critical metals. Bombardier (Canada) or solar energy producers like SunPower (US/CA) are benefiting from renewed interest related to infrastructure needs and the energy transition. Markets to watch for those who want to capture targeted opportunities that are less correlated with global indices.

Which shares should you invest in based on your investor profile?

The choice of stocks on the Stock Exchange depends largely on your investor profile. Whether you are cautious, balanced or dynamic, some stocks are better suited to your return objectives, your risk tolerance and your investment horizon. Here is a selection of stocks suited to each type of profile to start or adjust your portfolio in 2025:

How to buy the best stocks?

Now that you know which are the best stocks to buy currently according to the consensus of analysts, let's see how to proceed to acquire them simply in a few steps:

• First, you need to choose the financial intermediary or broker with whom you will place your stock market orders.
• Once chosen, open an online account such as a cash account or margin account.
• Deposit your investment capital into this account.
• Search for the stock(s) that interest you and place a buy order to add them to your portfolio.

Example

Here, you have the opportunity to build your own portfolio of securities or bet on a basket of securities or a particular sector by using, for example, ETFs or Exchange Traded Funds to invest.

4 Investment Tips for This Year

• Adapt your strategy to your profile: Before investing, it's essential to know yourself well. Whether you are cautious, balanced or dynamic, choose shares consistent with your risk tolerance and objectives. For example, cautious investors may prefer stable stocks such as McDonald's or Visa, while balanced profiles will turn to a mix of growth technologies (Apple, Microsoft), defensive stocks (TotalEnergies) and cyclical stocks (Stellantis, Airbus). The most dynamic will look for high-potential opportunities with more volatile stocks like Tesla, Roblox or SunPower, while actively managing risks.
• Diversify to cushion shocks: Do not concentrate your investments in a single sector or geographical area. In 2025, volatility can resurface at any time. Well-thought-out diversification between different sectors (technology, energy, finance) and geographical areas (United States, South Africa, emerging markets) is a key strategy for smoothing performance and limiting losses.
• Identify performance catalysts: Beyond the quality of a company, it is often specific triggers that drive its price up. This could be the launch of a new product, a macroeconomic turnaround, an improvement in margins or entry into a major stock market index. These events can offer strategic entry points.
• Keep a cool head: In an environment that is still uncertain (geopolitical conflicts, interest rates, economic risks), discipline is paramount. Avoid decisions dictated by emotion and adopt a long-term vision based on solid convictions and a rigorous strategy.

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.