Top 10 Stocks Soaring in 2025: How They Stack Up vs. Last Year

At GLHR Investing, we’re diving into the top 10 U.S. stocks that have seen the highest value increases as of July 7, 2025, compared to their performance on July 7, 2024. With the S&P 500 (SPY) rallying to ~6,243 points, up 3.94% over the past month but down 15.6% YTD as of May 23, 2025, certain stocks have defied market volatility driven by Trump’s tariffs, 3.2% CPI inflation, and geopolitical tensions. From AI-driven tech to gold mining and insurance tech, what fueled these gains, and how do they compare year-over-year? Here’s a comprehensive analysis of the top performers, their drivers, and strategies to navigate 2025’s volatile market, ensuring investors capitalize on these soaring stocks.

2025 Market and Economic Context:
- Market Performance:
  - SPY rose to ~6,243 points by July 7, up 3.94% over the past month and 12.02% YOY (July 7, 2024, to July 7, 2025), per web data. June’s 4.33% gain was driven by trade optimism and a jobs report (147,000 added), but volatility persists (VIX ~20–25), per web data.
  - Nasdaq gained ~6.6% in June, led by tech, but lagged ~0.8–1.2% YTD, per web data.
  - Sectors like technology (+9.9%), consumer discretionary (+7.3%), and energy (+4.9%) led June, while consumer staples slipped (-1.6%), per web data.
- Economic Indicators:
  - Q1 GDP contracted -0.3%, Q2 estimated at 1.5–1.9%, below 2024’s 2.7%, due to tariffs and 13% retail spending cuts, per web data.
  - Inflation at 3.2% CPI in June, projected to hit 4–4.5% (or 5–6% with Iran-Israel oil spikes to ~$80/barrel), per web data.
  - Unemployment fell to 4.1% in June, with 147,000 jobs added, above estimates (115,000), per web data.
  - Consumer sentiment rose to 60.7 in June (from 52.2), but spending contracted 0.14% in May, per web data.
- Trump’s Policy Impacts:
  - Tariffs: 125% on China, 25% on Canada/Mexico (paused until July 9), and 50% steel tariffs (June 4) raised costs 5–10%, per web data. U.S.-Vietnam deal (20% tariffs) and EU pause eased pressures, per web data.
  - OBBBA Tax Cuts (May 22): $3.7T package boosted spending (0.3–0.5%) but added $3.1–$3.8T deficits, pushing 10-year yields to 4.46%, per web data.
  - Canada Trade Suspension (June 27): Halted talks over digital services tax, causing a ~0.5% SPY dip, per web data.
  - Deregulation: Relaxed Basel III rules and pro-crypto policies supported financials and tech, per web data.
- Iran-Israel Conflict:
  - U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites (June 21) spiked oil to ~$80/barrel, with ceasefire talks (June 24) lifting markets, per web data.
  - Risk of Strait of Hormuz closure could push oil to $100–$120/barrel, driving inflation, per web data.
- Market Sentiment:
  - Investors embraced tariff pauses and tax cuts, driving the “TACO trade” (buying dips), but geopolitical risks and high valuations (SPY P/E ~21) fueled caution, per web data.
  - X posts highlighted AI and gold stocks as outperformers, with tariff fears lingering, per X post.
Top 10 Stocks Up in Value (July 7, 2025, vs. July 7, 2024):
- 1. Root, Inc. (ROOT):
  - 2025 Price: ~$50, YTD Gain: 92.4%, YOY Gain: 1,230% (from ~$3.75), per web data.
  - Why Up: Insurance tech platform using data-driven auto insurance pricing. Q4 2024 reported 21% growth in policies in force and first-ever profit, per web data. OBBBA-driven spending boosted consumer demand, per web data.
  - Metrics: P/E ~N/A (volatile), market cap ~$750M, per web data.
  - Risks: Small float (<3M shares) and high volatility, per web data.
- 2. Harmony Gold Mining Company (HMY):
  - 2025 Price: ~$9, YTD Gain: 93.7%, YOY Gain: ~100%, per web data.
  - Why Up: World’s largest gold tailings retreatment producer, benefiting from gold prices at $3,300/oz (up from $2,300 in July 2024). March 2025 reported record free cash flow and dividends, with copper production plans, per web data.
  - Metrics: P/E ~10, market cap ~$5.6B, per web data.
  - Risks: Gold price volatility and geopolitical risks (e.g., Mali mine issues), per web data.
- 3. Grail, Inc. (GRAL):
  - 2025 Price: ~$34, YTD Gain: 93.2%, YOY Gain: N/A (IPO June 2024 at $18.35), per web data.
  - Why Up: Healthcare firm focused on multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing, integrated with Quest Diagnostics in February 2025. 14.8% CAGR in cancer screening market, per web data.
  - Metrics: P/E ~N/A (unprofitable), market cap ~$1B, per web data.
  - Risks: High volatility and competitive diagnostics market, per web data.
- 4. Agilon Health, Inc. (AGL):
  - 2025 Price: ~$4.50, YTD Gain: 124.2%, YOY Gain: ~150% (from ~$1.80), per web data.
  - Why Up: Healthcare platform with 44% Q4 2024 revenue growth and 659,000 members, per web data. Aging population and healthcare spending ($4.9T in 2023) drive demand, per web data.
  - Metrics: P/E ~N/A (unprofitable), market cap ~$1.8B, per web data.
  - Risks: Low share price (<$5) and operational scaling risks, per web data.
- 5. LZ Technology, Inc. (LZMH):
  - 2025 Price: ~$9.50, YTD Gain: 136.5%, YOY Gain: N/A (IPO February 2025 at $4), per web data.
  - Why Up: Chinese IT/advertising firm with small float (<3M shares), driving volatility. Peaked at $17.73 in March, per web data.
  - Metrics: P/E ~N/A (unprofitable), market cap ~$500M, per web data.
  - Risks: Extreme volatility and tariff exposure (125% China tariffs), per web data.
- 6. GeneDx Holdings Corp. (WGS):
  - 2025 Price: ~$30, YTD Gain: ~1,000% (from ~$2.75), YOY Gain: ~1,000%, per web data.
  - Why Up: Genetic testing leader with 17% revenue growth projected for 2025–2026, driven by healthcare spending and diagnostics demand, per web data.
  - Metrics: P/E ~N/A (unprofitable), market cap ~$800M, per web data.
  - Risks: Hypercompetitive diagnostics market and high volatility, per web data.
- 7. Rigetti Computing, Inc. (RGTI):
  - 2025 Price: ~$10, YTD Gain: ~500%, YOY Gain: ~500% (from ~$1.67), per web data.
  - Why Up: Quantum computing firm with 30% revenue growth in 2025 and 140% projected for 2026, per web data. AI and quantum tech hype drove gains, per web data.
  - Metrics: P/E ~N/A (unprofitable), market cap ~$1.5B, per web data.
  - Risks: Operating losses and speculative valuation, per web data.
- 8. Broadcom Inc. (AVGO):
  - 2025 Price: ~$244.28, YTD Gain: ~44%, YOY Gain: ~60% (from ~$152), per web data.
  - Why Up: AI semiconductor leader with 43% revenue growth in fiscal 2024 and 46% AI revenue growth, projecting a $20B annual run rate, per web data.
  - Metrics: P/E ~60 (forward), market cap ~$114B, per web data.
  - Risks: High valuation and tariff-driven chip costs (5–10%), per web data.
- 9. American Express Company (AXP):
  - 2025 Price: ~$301.55, YTD Gain: ~30%, YOY Gain: ~45% (from ~$208), per web data.
  - Why Up: Financial services firm with 7% Q1 2025 revenue growth and focus on high-end customers (50% of credit card spending), per web data. OBBBA tax cuts boosted spending, per web data.
  - Metrics: P/E ~19 (forward), market cap ~$216B, per web data.
  - Risks: Recession risk (30%) and consumer debt levels, per web data.
- 10. Fiserv, Inc. (FI):
  - 2025 Price: ~$217.10, YTD Gain: ~39.7% YOY, YOY Gain: ~39.7% (from ~$155), per web data.
  - Why Up: Financial tech provider with 9.7% EPS growth projected for 2025, driven by margin improvements and OBBBA spending, per web data.
  - Metrics: P/E ~33, market cap ~$127B, per web data.
  - Risks: High valuation and competition in fintech, per web data.
Investor Strategies:
- Why Invest in Top Performers?:
  - Momentum: Stocks like ROOT (+1,230% YOY) and WGS (+1,000%) show strong growth in emerging sectors (insurtech, healthcare), per web data.
  - Economic Tailwinds: OBBBA tax cuts and tariff pauses support consumer spending and tech, per web data.
  - Safe Havens: Gold (HMY) and defensives (AXP) benefit from geopolitical risks and inflation, per web data.
- Portfolio Allocation:
  - Allocate 10–15% to top performers (HMY, AXP, FI), 40% to defensives (JNJ, PG), and 30% to bonds (Treasuries) for stability, per prior analyses.
  - Hedge with 3–5% in gold (GLD, +3%) or utilities (XLU, +1%) to counter inflation (3.2% CPI) and tariff risks, per web data.
- ETFs for Diversification:
  - iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM): ~$190, 0.8% yield, tracks AXP, FI, buy near $180, target $210, per web data.
  - SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI): ~$95, 0% yield, tracks GRAL, WGS, buy near $90, target $110, per web data.
- Timing:
  - Buy on SPY dips near $6,000 or stock pullbacks (e.g., AXP <$290), per web data.
  - Dollar-cost average ($500–$1,000/month) to manage VIX (~20–25), per web data.
- Key Catalysts to Monitor:
  - July 9 Tariff Deadline: Reinstatement of 125% China tariffs could hit AVGO, LZMH, per web data.
  - Q2 Earnings (July): Confirm ROOT, WGS growth and AXP’s spending trends, per web data.
  - July 30 FOMC Meeting: Rate cuts (20% chance in July) could lift growth stocks, per web data.
  - Iran-Israel Conflict: Oil at $80/barrel risks inflation (5–6%), per web data.
  - Gold Prices: Sustained $3,300/oz supports HMY, per web data.
- Risks:
  - High Valuations: AVGO (P/E 60) and FI (P/E 33) risk pullbacks, per web data.
  - Volatility: Small-cap/float stocks (ROOT, LZMH, WGS) face extreme swings, per web data.
  - Recession Risk: 30% probability (EY) could curb spending, per web data.
  - Tariff Costs: 5–10% cost hikes for tech (AVGO) and consumer goods, per web data.
  - Geopolitical Tensions: Iran-Israel conflict and trade disputes add uncertainty, per web data.
Conclusion: Riding the 2025 Winners:
- As of July 7, 2025, stocks like Root (+1,230% YOY), Harmony Gold (+100%), and Grail (+93.2% YTD) led the market, driven by insurtech growth, soaring gold prices, and healthcare innovation. Compared to July 7, 2024, these outperformers leveraged OBBBA tax cuts, trade optimism, and sector tailwinds, despite SPY’s YTD struggles (-15.6%). Investors should buy stable leaders (AXP, FI) and select high-growth small-caps (WGS, ROOT) on dips, diversify with MTUM and XBI, and hedge against tariff and inflation risks to capture 2025’s soaring opportunities.
Why It Matters: In a volatile 2025 economy (SPY +3.94% past month, CPI 3.2%), top performers like General Motors and American Express offer growth and value amid tariffs and geopolitical risks. With a 30% recession risk looming, strategic picks and hedging ensure resilience. GLHR Investing guides you to ride these winners, building a robust portfolio for the second half of 2025.