Barron’s recent Roundtable discussion, held on January 6, 2025, in New York, brought together five top investment professionals to share their insights and stock picks for the year. Despite concerns about high market valuations, the panellists identified several attractive opportunities spanning various sectors, from AI-driven tech companies to defensive consumer staples and income-generating fixed-income options.
This article summarises the best stock picks for 2025 based on the insights shared by:
- Henry Ellenbogen, CIO and Managing Partner, Durable Capital Partners
- Sonal Desai, CIO and Portfolio Manager, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income
- John W. Rogers Jr., Founder, Chairman, co-CEO, and CIO, Ariel Investments
- Rajiv Jain, Chairman and CIO, GQG Partners
- Mario J. Gabelli, Chairman and CEO, Gabelli Funds
Top Stock Picks for 2025
1. Nvidia (NVDA) – AI Growth Leader
Picked by: Rajiv Jain
- Why invest? Nvidia continues to dominate the AI and data centre space, with strong demand for its GPUs and AI capabilities. The company’s financial strength and leadership in AI make it a compelling growth opportunity.
- P/E Ratio: 30
- Potential Upside: AI expansion into sovereign funds and enterprises.
- Risk: Valuation concerns, competition from AMD and Intel.
- Verdict: A long-term growth stock for AI enthusiasts.
2. Meta Platforms (META) – Digital Advertising Powerhouse
Picked by: Rajiv Jain
- Why invest? With 3.3 billion users across its platforms, Meta remains a dominant force in digital advertising. AI-driven ad targeting enhancements are expected to boost revenue and profitability.
- P/E Ratio: 20
- Potential Upside: Beneficiary of a potential TikTok ban and growing ad market.
- Risk: Increased regulatory scrutiny and competition.
- Verdict: Solid growth potential with a reasonable valuation.
3. Novo Nordisk (NVO) – Diabetes & Weight-Loss Leader
Picked by: Rajiv Jain
- Why invest? Novo Nordisk is a leader in the GLP-1 diabetes and weight-loss drug market, with strong revenue growth potential and expanding demand.
- P/E Ratio: 21
- Potential Upside: Expanding global healthcare markets and new treatments.
- Risk: Competition from Eli Lilly and regulatory price control.
- Verdict: A reliable healthcare investment with steady growth.
4. Coupang (CPNG) – Korea’s E-commerce Giant
Picked by: Henry Ellenbogen
- Why invest? Coupang dominates Korea’s e-commerce market with efficient logistics and a growing third-party fulfilment business.
- P/E Ratio: 49
- Potential Upside: Expansion into Taiwan and other Asian markets.
- Risk: Competition from Chinese e-commerce players and economic slowdown in Korea.
- Verdict: A high-growth e-commerce play with long-term potential.
5. AT&T (T) – High Dividend Telecom Play
Picked by: Rajiv Jain
- Why invest? AT&T offers a compelling dividend yield (~5%) and improves cash flow as capital expenditure declines.
- P/E Ratio: 8
- Potential Upside: Industry consolidation and pricing power.
- Risk: High debt levels and slow growth in the telecom sector.
- Verdict: A solid income-generating stock for conservative investors.
6. J.M. Smucker (SJM) – Defensive Consumer Staple
Picked by: John W. Rogers Jr.
- Why invest? Smucker’s portfolio of well-known brands such as Jif, Folgers, and Uncrustables provides stability in uncertain markets.
- P/E Ratio: 10.5
- Potential Upside: Expansion into new distribution channels and focus on debt reduction.
- Risk: Shifts in consumer preferences towards healthier food options.
- Verdict: A defensive stock with steady cash flow and brand strength.
7. Lazard (LAZ) – M&A and Restructuring Boom
Picked by: John W. Rogers Jr.
- Why invest? Deal-making activity is expected to pick up in 2025, and Lazard’s diversified advisory business stands to benefit significantly.
- P/E Ratio: 12
- Potential Upside: Increased corporate restructuring and asset management growth.
- Risk: Sensitivity to economic downturns affecting deal activity.
- Verdict: A value stock with cyclical growth potential.
8. Philip Morris International (PM) – Smoke-Free Transition
Picked by: Rajiv Jain
- Why invest? PM is steadily moving towards reduced-risk tobacco alternatives like IQOS, with strong revenue growth and a high dividend yield (~4.5%).
- P/E Ratio: 17
- Potential Upside: Shift in consumer preferences and regulatory approvals.
- Risk: Currency fluctuations and litigation risks.
- Verdict: A solid income stock with a focus on future growth.
9. RBC Bearings (RBC) – Industrial & Aerospace Growth
Picked by: Henry Ellenbogen
- Why invest? RBC Bearings benefits from strong long-term demand in aerospace and industrial applications.
- P/E Ratio: 34
- Potential Upside: Manufacturing rebound and defence sector tailwinds.
- Risk: Economic downturns impacting industrial spending.
- Verdict: A quality industrial stock for long-term investors.
10. Bharti Airtel (BHARTIARTL.NS) – India’s Telecom Growth Story
Picked by: Rajiv Jain
- Why invest? Bharti Airtel benefits from increased data consumption in India, with room for revenue growth through higher tariffs.
- P/E Ratio: 22
- Potential Upside: Market consolidation and rising ARPU (average revenue per user).
- Risk: Regulatory challenges and competition from Reliance Jio.
- Verdict: A strong emerging market telecom play.
Conclusion: Where to Invest in 2025?
Based on Barron’s Roundtable experts, the best investment opportunities in 2025 include:
| Investment Type | Top Picks |
|---|---|
| Growth Stocks | Nvidia (NVDA), Coupang (CPNG), Meta (META) |
| Dividend & Income | AT&T (T), Philip Morris (PM), Lazard (LAZ) |
| Defensive Stocks | J.M. Smucker (SJM), RBC Bearings (RBC) |
| Emerging Markets | Bharti Airtel (BHARTIARTL.NS), PetroChina (PTR) |
Investors should consider their risk tolerance and investment goals, as tech stocks like Nvidia offer high growth but come with valuation risks. At the same time, defensive names such as Smucker provide stability with a steady income.
Source: Barron’s Roundtable, Nvidia, Smucker, Muni Bonds, and 31 Other Investment Ideas From Our Roundtable Pros – January 17, 2025.
