On July 7, Gene Goldman, the CIO at Cetera, joined CNBC to warn of near-term market volatility from tariffs and high valuations. Goldman believes the markets are entering a prove-it phase for the current stock market rally. He cited several reasons for this, which included high valuations, the Fed remaining on hold, and cooling corporate earnings. He also noted that the recent news over the weekend regarding tariffs would likely create near-term volatility. He explained that while stocks have rallied to record highs and are pricey with good news, tariff levels could be higher for some countries. He added that cooperative countries might see tariff rates return to April 2 levels. which implies lower rates.
He stated that he would be carefully watching Q2 earnings, which are set to begin late next week, for further insights. Despite these near-term concerns, Goldman maintained a long-term positive view on the tariff war for the US. He argued that the US consumer base would provide a trade war advantage, and tariff revenue could generate an estimated $150 to $250 billion for pro-growth initiatives like the “beautiful bill.” Goldman acknowledged that a weaker dollar is beneficial for U.S. exports, as it makes American goods cheaper abroad. However, he cautioned that a weaker dollar also tends to import inflation, particularly as prices rise
Goldman also provided his 3 favorite sectors. First, technology, where he advised focusing on long-term secular trends like AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity, which he believes will not be affected as much in the long term by tariffs. Second, financials, which he sees benefiting from what he considers overly high loan loss reserves and recent positive economic data. Third, industrials, due to drivers such as infrastructure spending – particularly related to energy, supply chain reshoring, AI-generated demand, and increased defense spending from NATO members.
That being said, we’re here with a list of the 10 best US stocks to buy and hold in 2025.
A financial analyst looking at a monitor displaying the stocks of the public company.
Methodology
We used the Finviz stock screener to compile a list of the top US stocks. We sorted this initial list by market cap. We then selected the 10 stocks that were the most popular among elite hedge funds and that analysts were bullish on. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds that have stakes in them, as of Q1 2025. The hedge fund data was sourced from Insider Monkey’s database which tracks the moves of over 1000 elite money managers.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
10 Best US Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2025
10. International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM)
Market Capitalization as of July 7: $271.82 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 57
International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is one of the best US stocks to buy and hold in 2025. On July 7, Izzi Software announced its acquisition of Chicago-based CNX Corporation. CNX Corporation specializes in accelerating app development for users of IBM Power Systems. The acquisition marks Izzi Software’s entry into the IBM Power ecosystem.
IBM Power Systems are high-performance server computers built by IBM to handle demanding workloads like big data and AI. The company had previously launched in 2024 and focused on the IBM Z sphere with the acquisition of ColeSoft, which is a Virginia-based company that debugs tools for IBM mainframes.
As part of the acquisition, Izzi Software plans to expand the CNX team to support existing and future customers and help them maximize the value of their investment in the Valence framework. Izzi Software was founded by M&A experts and is led by a team with deep expertise in both IBM Power and IBM Z environments. The company is owned by Big Band Software, which has a record of acquiring and operating growing and profitable B2B SaaS businesses with ARR ranging from $2 to $10 million.
International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) provides integrated solutions and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It’s more commonly known as IBM.
9. T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS)
Market Capitalization as of July 7: $269.82 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 75
T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS) is one of the best US stocks to buy and hold in 2025. On July 2, T-Mobile announced the completion of a multi-year, $2 billion network expansion across Florida. The investment has enhanced T-Mobile’s network with faster 5G speeds, wider coverage, and increased capacity, which benefits ~22 million Floridians in both rural and urban communities.
The multi-year investment involved adding 1,282 new or retained cell sites from the merger with Sprint and upgrading ~1,350 existing sites across Florida. Average statewide 5G download speeds have now reached 266.7 MB per second, which marks a 216% increase since 2021. The expansion provides ~100% 5G coverage across Florida. Given Florida’s vulnerability to severe weather, T-Mobile has also hardened 1,375 sites over the past 4 years to improve emergency response and disaster recovery.
T-Mobile is also officially launching T-Satellite with Starlink on July 23, which will provide coverage in areas where terrestrial networks cannot reach. The company also has a 5G Standalone/SA network, which is the country’s only 5G Advanced network and the largest deployment of its kind in the US, rolled out earlier in 2020.
T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS) provides wireless communications services in the US, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.
8. RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX)
Market Capitalization as of July 7: $194.94 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 79
RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) is one of the best US stocks to buy and hold in 2025. On July 1, RTX announced a partnership with Shield AI. The collaboration will integrate Shield AI’s advanced capabilities, such as its Hivemind autonomy software and Visual Detection and Ranging/ViDAR software, into select RTX defense products, such as loitering munitions and sensors.
This work will be fully funded by RTX and Shield AI themselves, without government investment. RTX plans to integrate Shield AI’s Hivemind, which is an AI pilot for military and commercial aircraft enabling missions without GPS, communications, or remote piloting, to field the first operational weapon powered by Networked Collaborative Autonomy/NCA.
NCA is a breakthrough technology that combines real-time coordination, resilience, and combat-proven firepower. Additionally, Shield AI’s ViDAR software, which enables automated AI-based sensor autonomy for detecting, identifying, geolocating, and tracking objects using wide-area motion imagery, will be integrated with RTX’s Multi-Spectral Targeting System/MTS.
RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) is an aerospace and defense company that provides systems and services for commercial, military, and government customers in the US and internationally.
7. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T)
Market Capitalization as of July 7: $204.43 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 87
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is one of the best US stocks to buy and hold in 2025. Recently, AT&T announced that it plans to accelerate its fiber infrastructure buildout due to policies contained within the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which was passed by Congress on July 3, 2025, and signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4.
Due to the tax provisions and pro-investment policies within this legislation, AT&T expects to increase its fiber investment to an additional 1 million fiber customer locations annually starting in 2026. This bill also establishes a pipeline of mid-band spectrum to meet consumer demand.
AT&T credits this legislation with paving the way for the goals laid out by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s “Build America Agenda,” which aims to unleash high-speed infrastructure build and restore America’s global lead in wireless technology through smart policy. AT&T plans to provide a detailed update on the expected impact of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” on its 2025 and long-term financial outlook.
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) provides telecommunications and technology services worldwide.
6. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)
Market Capitalization as of July 7: $792.85 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 100
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is one of the best US stocks to buy and hold in 2025. Walmart partnered with Nitro Circus to launch a 12-stop “retailtainment” tour to enhance community engagement and brand visibility through BMX stunt shows featuring athletes like Ryan Williams. The initiative was announced on July 7 and builds on a previous drive-in tour conducted in 2020.
It’s designed to create a more immersive and festival-style experience at select Walmart locations across the West Coast states, which include Nevada, California, Oregon, and Washington. Each event will feature a free, 1.5-hour BMX stunt show, live music, BBQ, and interactive experiences from Genuine Dickies, which is a workwear brand also partnering on the tour.
Walmart seeks to attract families and thrill-seekers and encourage them to spend more time at their locations and purchase merchandise, such as Nitro Circus apparel, helmets, and skateboards, available both online and in-store. This approach will boost higher-margin revenue streams, amplify brand engagement, cross-promote products like electric motorbikes and Dickies apparel, and support omnichannel growth by linking in-store events with online shopping.
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) operates retail and wholesale stores and clubs, eCommerce websites, and mobile applications worldwide.
5. GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE)
Market Capitalization as of July 7: $265.16 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104
GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) is one of the best US stocks to buy and hold in 2025. On July 3, the US government informed GE Aerospace that it could resume shipments of jet engines to China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China/COMAC. The decision signals a de-escalation of US-Sino trade tensions, which also involved concessions from Beijing regarding rare earth exports. This followed the US’s suspended licenses for these shipments several weeks prior as part of an ongoing trade dispute.
The lifted restrictions specifically apply to GE’s LEAP-1C engines, which are manufactured by CFM International (this is a joint venture between GE Aerospace and France’s Safran) and are used on COMAC’s C919 single-aisle aircraft. Additionally, licenses for GE’s CF34 engine, used on COMAC’s C909 regional jet, were also reinstated. The C919, while assembled in China, relies heavily on overseas components.
The US also recently lifted export restrictions on chip design software developers and ethane producers for China, which further indicates progress in trade talks between the two nations. The previous restrictions were among countermeasures imposed by the US President Donald Trump’s administration in response to China’s export restrictions on rare earths and related magnets in April this year. Beijing’s move on rare earths had threatened to derail a bilateral trade deal.
GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) designs and produces commercial and defense aircraft engines, integrated engine components, electric power, and mechanical aircraft systems.
4. Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG)
Market Capitalization as of July 7: $191.65 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 106
Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) is one of the best US stocks to buy and hold in 2025. On July 2, Intuitive Surgical announced that its latest da Vinci 5 Surgical System received CE mark approval. This regulatory milestone enables the system’s use across adult and pediatric patients in Europe for a spectrum of minimally invasive endoscopic procedures, such as abdominopelvic and thoracoscopic surgeries in urology, gynecology, and general laparoscopy.
The da Vinci 5 introduces 50+ enhancements on the foundational da Vinci Xi Surgical System. Key innovations include first-of-its-kind Force Feedback-enabled technology, which allows surgeons to sense pressure and tension during operations. It also features Intuitive’s most realistic 3D vision system to date. The system supports 10,000x more computing power than previous models. There’s also greater surgeon autonomy through integrated components controlled at the fingertips, a universal user interface for care teams, and dynamic assistance to automate select tasks.
In 2024, the US FDA had already granted 510(k) clearance for the da Vinci 5 Surgical System for use in urology, general, gynecology, and thoracic procedures in adults. In 2024, surgeons performed 410,000+ procedures in Europe using da Vinci systems, contributing to ~17 million procedures performed worldwide to date with Intuitive’s technology.
Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) develops, manufactures, and markets products that enable physicians and healthcare providers to enhance the quality of and access to minimally invasive care.
3. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC)
Market Capitalization as of July 7: $366.5 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 117
Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) is one of the best US stocks to buy and hold in 2025. As Los Angeles marks 6 months since the onset of the January 2025 wildfires, Bank of America announced on July 7 an additional commitment of over $1 million in philanthropic capital to local nonprofits.
The latest round of grants brings Bank of America’s total fire-related contributions to more than $3.5 million, in addition to direct assistance provided to thousands of its clients and hundreds of employees and their families affected by the disaster. $400,000 from this aid has been directed to small businesses through 3 local Community Development Financial Institutions/CDFIs to provide technical coaching and low-cost microloans.
Bank of America itself was directly impacted by the wildfires, with 2 of its financial centers in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades being destroyed. In response, the bank quickly established a temporary mobile center and has committed to rebuilding new permanent financial centers in these communities.
Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) provides various financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide.
2. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Market Capitalization as of July 7: $3135.78 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 159
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is one of the best US stocks to buy and hold in 2025. On July 3, it was reported that after grappling with stagnant iPhone sales in China for the past 2 years, Apple finally saw a positive turnaround in Q2 2025, with Counterpoint Research reporting an 8% year-over-year increase. This marks the first quarterly growth for Apple in the region since Q2 2023.
This rebound was due to Apple’s strategically timed price cuts in May this year, just ahead of China’s 618 shopping festival, and the demand for the new iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models, which were originally released on September 20 last year. While overall sales volumes for the 618 festival period (April 1 to June 22) remained relatively flat compared to the previous year, most of Apple’s growth occurred specifically in May. During this time, 3 iPhone 16 variants secured spots in the top half of China’s bestseller charts.
Despite Apple’s resurgence, the Chinese smartphone market remains highly competitive. Counterpoint Research projects that Huawei is expected to overtake all rivals to claim the number one spot in China for Q2 2025, fueled by strong user loyalty and customers upgrading to its latest handsets.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and accessories worldwide.
1. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Market Capitalization as of July 7: $3699.33 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 284
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the best US stocks to buy and hold in 2025. On July 7, Viome Life Sciences announced a collaboration with Microsoft. The partnership will accelerate the next generation of preventive and personalized healthcare by integrating Viome’s extensive dataset of human and microbial gene expression with Microsoft Azure infrastructure services, such as Azure Ultra Disk Storage and Virtual Machines.
Viome’s AI platform is designed to transform this complex biological data into personalized nutrition and health insights. The integration of Viome’s RNA science with Azure’s secure and scalable HIPAA-compliant infrastructure services is expected to enable a new model of proactive and home-based healthcare guided by molecular data.
Viome’s flagship product is the Full Body Intelligence Test, which is described as one of the most advanced home-based health tests. It analyzes both human and microbial gene expression from saliva, blood, and stool samples. To date, Viome has completed over one million analyses across 106 countries, generating more than 10 quadrillion biological data points, making its metatranscriptomic (RNA sequencing) dataset the most comprehensive of its kind.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) develops and supports software, services, devices, and solutions worldwide. Viome is a longevity and preventive healthcare company that uses AI to bridge the gap between scientific breakthroughs and their practical implementation as health solutions.
While we acknowledge the potential of MSFT to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MSFT and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Disclosure: None. Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily e-newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below.
