11 Best Performing Large Cap Stocks So Far in 2025

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1. Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN)

Market Capitalization: $121.14B

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 17

Year-To-Date Performance: 59.42% 

Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) is another international financial services company. It has core operations in retail and commercial banking, along with services in asset management, insurance, and mortgage lending. Its business segments are segregated based on its geographical operations such as Continental Europe, United Kingdom, Latin America, and the United States.

The company recently released its fiscal first quarter results for 2025. Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) grew its attributable profit by 19% year-over-year to reach €3.4 billion. Moreover, it also grew its return on tangible equity by 15.8%, surpassing previous targets. Management noted that its “One Transformation” program is delivering results. Process automation, product simplification, and 23% growth in digital sales have contributed to cost reduction and operational leverage. The bank has reaffirmed its intention to distribute up to €10 billion to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends for 2025 and 2026. Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) has performed well on a year-to-date basis making it the best performing large cap stock so far in 2025.

While we acknowledge the potential of SAN to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than SAN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.

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