Discover the key investment sectors for 2025: tech, healthcare, bonds, gold, cryptos and foreign markets. Tips for diversifying and optimizing your portfolio.
Investing in the stock market arouses both curiosity and apprehension. However, it offers a unique opportunity to grow your savings and participate in the growth of the economy, provided you accept the risks. If you plan to launch in 2025, here are the sectors to watch to optimize your investments.
Summary:
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1st stock market tip: Think about defensive stocks
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2nd stock market tip: Explore foreign markets
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3rd stock market tip: Diversify with cryptocurrencies and gold
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4th stock market tip: Take an interest in bonds
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5th stock market tip: Focus on technology and artificial intelligence for 2025
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6th stock market tip 2025: Take luxury into account
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7th stock market tip: Pharma companies and the health sector are relevant
1st stock market tip: Think about defensive stocks
The year 2024 is marked by political uncertainties and major geopolitical tensions (the war in Ukraine, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, etc.). This year, the Paris Stock Exchange experienced a sharp decline, to almost -2.15%. The CAC 40 index underperformed, penalized by this unstable climate. In this unfavorable context, so-called “defensive” values can represent an interesting refuge.
These are companies with little exposure to rapid economic fluctuations, upwards or downwards. By nature, they are less affected by market variations and offer a certain stability in troubled periods. They generally come from sectors like:
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Large retail (Carrefour),
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Community services (Veolia),
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Health (Sanofi, EssilorLuxottica),
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Telecommunications (Orange).
2nd stock market tip: Explore foreign markets
In 2024, the American markets achieved exceptional performances: +24% for the S&P 500 and +30% for the Nasdaq Composite. They have demonstrated their strength, including in an unstable international context. Exposure to American markets in 2025 can be an opportunity.
To easily invest across the Atlantic, ETFs (listed index funds) are an accessible and effective solution. For example, funds like Amundi Nasdaq-100 or iShares Core S&P 500 make it possible to replicate the performance of American indices. They are available via an ordinary securities account (CTO). Some are eligible for the PEA.
-3rd stock market tip: Diversify with cryptocurrencies and gold
In 2024, the best-known cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) will cross the $100,000 mark. This currency shows a spectacular progression of +1216% over five years. However, it is still an unpredictable asset class, able to fluctuate quickly and sharply. In 2021, bitcoin was worth $64,000 before falling to $16,000 a year later. Here again, you can invest in ETFs replicating the price of this currency, because the entry ticket may still be high in 2025 for a direct investment. However, you must remember to invest only part of your savings that you do not need. The risk of capital loss is great.
In 2025, you can also turn to gold: it is the safe haven asset par excellence. Its price jumped 25% in one year, to cross the $2,600 mark. This precious metal has the particularity of reassuring investors in times of uncertainty or in the face of a tense geopolitical climate, thanks to its tangible nature. Gold and cryptocurrencies are assets to consider with a very long-term perspective (15 years or more). A commonly applied rule is to allocate between 5% and 10% of your overall portfolio to these two asset classes.
4th stock market tip: Take an interest in bonds
Bonds represent an interesting option for diversifying your investments or securing your portfolio. Investing in bond funds involves purchasing debt securities. They are issued by companies (in this case, they are high yield bonds) or by governments.
In 2025, the decline in inflation should further encourage central banks to adopt a more accommodating monetary policy. This development makes high-yield bonds attractive, particularly those with short maturities (between one and three years). Indeed, they offer better visibility and carry less risk than long-term bonds.
5th stock market tip: Focus on technology and artificial intelligence for 2025
In 2024, the tech sector has stood out. The “magnificent seven” – Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta (formerly Facebook), Tesla – have also largely contributed to the impressive performance of the American indices. The monetary easing that began in the second half of 2024 may continue into 2025. The fall in interest rates particularly favors the shares of growth companies.
With an Artificial Intelligence (AI) market valued at several billion dollars and promised to grow exponentially, the sector must remain at the center of attention in 2025. Nvidia, pioneer of AI, is the perfect example. . The company made the bet on AI before anyone else and saw its value increase by 185% in 2024. To invest in Nvidia, it is necessary to have a securities account. For broader exposure to the sector via ETFs, options such as Amundi MSCI Robotics & AI ESG Screened or Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence & Big Data are available.
With a PEA, it is possible to invest in ETFs including major tech companies, such as the Amundi PEA NASDAQ-100 ETF mentioned above or the Amundi Stoxx Europe 600 Technology ETF. Furthermore, emerging markets like China and India can also be interesting in terms of tech. Young and promising companies may present opportunities. However, caution is required in these markets and each investment must be carefully measured.
Another promising, but still very early, area is that of quantum technology. Companies like Alphabet (Google), IBM and Intel, listed on the stock exchange, are leading the way in research and development in this IT revolution. However, this sector remains to be approached with caution, given its uncertainties and its long-term horizon.
6th stock market tip 2025: Take luxury into account
After a gloomy year in 2024, marked by the slowdown in consumption in China and the rise of resale platforms, luxury could well rebound in 2025. Players like UBS or HSBC anticipate a stabilization of Chinese demand and a recovery in UNITED STATES. With significant declines in 2024 (-23% for L’Oréal, -13% for LVMH, -40% for Kering), certain luxury values are becoming (a little) more accessible. This may be the time to invest.
To note
Hermès is an exception, with an increase of +22% over the year, making its stock even less affordable for modest portfolios.
7th stock market tip: Pharma companies and the health sector are relevant
Health is experiencing a revolution with the arrival of GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) drugs, offering lasting and spectacular weight loss. With the adult obesity rate having more than doubled since 1990, the potential market is immense. Companies like Novo Nordisk (NVO), Eli Lilly & Co or Pfizer can benefit from this breakthrough in the long term. It is possible to invest in these companies through a CTO. Another option: invest in sector ETFs like Tema Cardiovascular and Metabolic ETF or the iShares MSCI World Health Care.
Stock market, can we make fun investments there?
A pleasure investment consists of placing your money in an area that interests you: wine, watches, jewelry, etc. The direct purchase of a great vintage or a rare piece of timepiece is possible, but this often involves a significant amount to pay. In addition, one must have the necessary knowledge to identify authentic treasures.
On the stock market, direct investment in these material goods is impossible, but certain ETFs (trackers) allow exposure to these sectors. For example, the Amundi ETF S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF focuses on luxury. There are also products like the Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF or the AdvisorShares Vice ETF, including companies related to the wine industry. Thus, to combine passion and responsibility, many ETFs also integrate ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) criteria. They allow you to invest while respecting your values.