Business
Explore the 14 Top Large-Cap Stocks for Investment in 2025
Investment analysts are pointing to a range of promising large-cap stocks as 2025 approaches. On December 17, Daniel Gerard from State Street Global Markets featured on CNBC’s Squawk Box Asia, emphasizing that it is premature to shift away from technology stocks. He suggested that energy stocks could also be worth monitoring, as they are perceived to be undervalued at present.
In another development, optimism surrounding the seasonal Santa Rally is gaining traction. According to a report from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Citadel Securities, since 1928, the S&P 500 has shown an increase during the last two weeks of December 75% of the time, averaging a gain of 1.3%. Despite ongoing concerns regarding artificial intelligence (AI) investments and high valuations, investor confidence remains buoyed by positive economic indicators and corporate profits.
Traders are actively purchasing bullish options on chipmakers and large-cap technology stocks, reflecting this confidence. Retail investors are also significantly increasing their purchases of US stocks.
According to a client note from Goldman Sachs, led by analyst Gail Hafif, the forthcoming seasonal period is expected to maintain strong momentum: “Barring any major shocks, it will be hard to fight the overwhelmingly positive seasonal period we are entering and the cleaner positioning set-up.”
With this backdrop, here is a closer look at the 14 best large-cap stocks to consider for investment in 2025.
Investment Methodology
To identify the top 14 large-cap stocks, a stock screener from Finviz was employed to select companies with market capitalizations between $10 billion and $200 billion as of December 18, 2025. The initial list was narrowed down to the top 50 stocks based on market capitalization, focusing on those most favored by institutional investors. Data on hedge fund sentiment was gathered from Insider Monkey’s Q3 2025 database, which covers 978 elite hedge funds. The final selection was ranked in ascending order according to the number of hedge funds holding stakes in each company as of Q3 2025.
The rationale behind monitoring hedge fund activities stems from research indicating that mimicking the stock picks of leading hedge funds can yield superior market returns. A quarterly newsletter has recorded a remarkable 427.7% return since May 2014, surpassing its benchmark by 264 percentage points.
Top Large-Cap Stocks to Consider
14. Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU)
Market Capitalization: $186.13 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 96
On December 15, TipRanks highlighted that DBS analyst Andy Yu reiterated a Buy rating on Intuit, maintaining a price target of $875. Mizuho Securities also reaffirmed a Buy rating on December 16, with the same target. BMO Capital Markets predicts a recovery year for application and vertical software stocks in 2026, seeing Intuit as a leading choice.
13. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG)
Market Capitalization: $199.19 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 99
On December 18, Truist raised its price target on Intuitive Surgical from $620 to $650, maintaining a Buy rating. RBC Capital also increased its target to $650 from $625 on December 17, anticipating strong sector fundamentals due to aging populations and healthcare innovations.
12. The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW)
Market Capitalization: $172.77 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 99
On December 15, TD Cowen reiterated a Buy rating with a price target of $134. UBS initiated coverage, providing a target of $119, highlighting Schwab’s sustainable advantages and projected earnings growth.
11. Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)
Market Capitalization: $139.05 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 99
Barclays raised its price target on December 16 from $270 to $285. The company is also developing a new industrial park in Texas, enhancing its strategic position.
10. Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX)
Market Capitalization: $142.48 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 102
UBS maintained its Buy rating on December 17 with a target of $140. Despite a recent drop in shares, analysts believe that the company’s growth prospects remain strong.
9. ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW)
Market Capitalization: $159.26 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104
Citizens maintained a Market Outperform rating with a price target of $1,300. The company is actively pursuing acquisitions to bolster its growth.
8. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)
Market Capitalization: $163.09 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 106
Citi initiated coverage on December 12 with a Buy rating and a target of $265. The company recently acquired Spirit AeroSystems, enhancing its operational capabilities.
7. The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)
Market Capitalization: $199.72 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 107
Reuters reported on December 11 that Disney is investing $1 billion in OpenAI to leverage generative AI in content creation, a move that could revolutionize its storytelling approach.
6. GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV)
Market Capitalization: $173.49 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 108
Wells Fargo raised its target on December 16 from $717 to $831, reflecting strong sales outlooks in power and electrification.
5. S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI)
Market Capitalization: $154.61 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 110
Goldman Sachs increased its target from $637 to $640, citing structural growth in ratings revenue.
4. Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT)
Market Capitalization: $116.09 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 116
Spotify announced plans to launch music videos for premium subscribers by year-end, aiming to enhance user engagement.
3. Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR)
Market Capitalization: $158.47 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 117
Goldman Sachs initiated coverage with a target of $265, noting strong growth in the bioprocessing sector.
2. Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF)
Market Capitalization: $154.36 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 129
BofA Securities raised its target from $248 to $268, reflecting robust credit performance.
1. Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER)
Market Capitalization: $165.58 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 143
RBC Capital reaffirmed its Outperform rating with a target of $110, highlighting Uber’s growth potential in autonomous vehicles.
Investors are advised to consider these stocks carefully. While the market shows signs of optimism, particularly in sectors like technology and healthcare, it is essential to conduct thorough research and consider both potential risks and rewards.
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