What's Good to Invest in 2025?

The economic landscape of 2025 presents unique challenges and opportunities for investors. With inflation persisting above targets and interest rates still elevated, but with expectations of cuts beginning in the second half of the year, the moment calls for carefully calibrated strategies. This article explores the best investment options for the current context, considering different risk profiles and financial goals.

5/13/20254 min read

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The Macroeconomic Scenario of 2025

To understand where to invest, it's essential to comprehend the current scenario:

  • Persistent inflation: Although showing signs of deceleration, it remains above the targets set by central banks.

  • High interest rates: Central banks maintain a restrictive stance but are signaling possible easing in the second half of the year.

  • Moderate economic growth: The global economy is growing at modest rates, with uneven performance across countries and regions.

  • Energy transition: Investments in clean energy continue to accelerate, creating new opportunities.

  • Technology: Generative AI and quantum computing continue to transform various sectors.

Best Investments by Risk Profile

For Conservative Profiles

  1. Inflation-indexed Treasury bonds

    • Offer protection against persistent inflation

    • In the US, TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) provide this protection

    • Other markets have similar instruments like inflation-linked gilts in the UK

  2. High-quality bank CDs and deposits

    • Preferably with variable rates tied to benchmark rates

    • Seek institutions with strong ratings and competitive yields

    • Pay attention to FDIC insurance limits ($250,000 per depositor per institution)

  3. "High Grade" Fixed Income Funds

    • Invest in securities from top-tier companies

    • Look for those with management fees below 0.5% per year

    • Preference for funds with consistent performance history

  4. Short-term bond funds

    • Lower volatility than longer-duration bonds

    • Potential to benefit from reinvestment at higher rates if rates remain elevated

    • Focus on funds with high-quality credit portfolios

For Moderate Profiles

  1. Multi-asset Funds

    • Focus on managers with proven track records across different economic cycles

    • Preference for macro strategies that can benefit from the monetary cycle transition

    • Diversification across different investment firms

  2. REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts)

    • Brick-and-mortar REITs focusing on logistics warehouses and well-located corporate assets

    • Mortgage REITs with active management to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities

    • Look for REITs with low vacancy rates and contracts with quality tenants

  3. Diversified ETFs

    • Global ETFs that provide exposure to different markets and sectors

    • Dividend ETFs to generate passive income

    • Selected emerging market ETFs with attractive valuations

  4. Infrastructure investments

    • Toll roads, energy transmission, and essential services

    • Projects with predictable cash flows

    • Pay attention to the quality of the operator and regulatory risks

For Aggressive Profiles

  1. Stocks in inflation-resilient sectors

    • Companies with pricing power

    • Sectors such as healthcare, energy, utilities, and consumer staples

    • Focus on companies with low debt and consistent cash generation

  2. Technology focused on AI and quantum computing

    • Companies well-positioned in the development and application of AI

    • Focus on companies with scalable business models and recurring revenue streams

    • Infrastructure providers for AI (chips, data centers, cloud computing)

  3. Select crypto assets

    • Bitcoin and Ethereum as main allocations in this segment

    • Layer 2 projects with growing adoption

    • Limit total crypto exposure to a comfortable percentage of the portfolio (5-10% for aggressive profiles)

  4. Small Caps with growth potential

    • Smaller companies well-positioned in niches with expansion potential

    • Focus on companies with clear competitive advantages

    • Preference for businesses with low capital requirements and high cash generation

Specific Trends and Opportunities for 2025

1. Energy Transition

The transition to clean energy continues to accelerate, creating opportunities in:

  • Solar and wind energy: Generation companies and equipment manufacturers

  • Transmission infrastructure: Essential for integrating renewable sources

  • Energy storage: Battery technologies and storage systems

  • Green hydrogen: Projects and technologies in commercial scaling phase

2. Applied Artificial Intelligence

AI is no longer just a promise and is transforming sectors:

  • Software as a Service (SaaS): Companies integrating AI into their solutions

  • Digital health: Diagnostics, drug discovery, and personalized medicine

  • Finance: Risk analysis, fraud detection, and algorithmic trading

  • Infrastructure: Specialized chips, energy-efficient data centers

3. Cybersecurity

With accelerated digitalization, security becomes even more critical:

  • Endpoint protection: Solutions that protect remote devices

  • Cloud security: Companies specialized in protecting cloud environments

  • Advanced authentication: Biometric and multi-factor technologies

  • Incident response: Specialized services in containment and recovery

4. Reshoring and Nearshoring

The reorganization of global supply chains continues:

  • Industrial automation: Robotics and systems to reduce labor dependency

  • Advanced logistics: Route optimization and intelligent inventory management

  • Specialized manufacturing: Production of critical components in nearby markets

  • Port and transportation infrastructure: Fundamental for new trade routes

Diversification Strategies for 2025

Geographic Diversification

  • United States: Focus on technology and healthcare

  • Asia: Selective exposure to markets with above-average growth

  • Europe: Defensive sectors and clean energy

  • Emerging Markets: Commodities and infrastructure

Asset Class Diversification

  • Fixed Income: 40-60% (conservative), 30-40% (moderate), 15-30% (aggressive)

  • Equities: 10-20% (conservative), 30-50% (moderate), 40-60% (aggressive)

  • Alternatives: 5-10% (conservative), 10-20% (moderate), 15-30% (aggressive)

  • Protection (gold, USD): 5-10% regardless of profile

Entry Strategy

In an environment of still-elevated interest rates:

  • Regular contributions: Invest periodically to dilute timing risk

  • Gradual allocation: For higher-risk assets, enter gradually over 6-12 months

  • Strategic reserve: Maintain 10-15% in liquidity to take advantage of specific opportunities

Practical Tips for Investors in 2025

  1. Review your costs: Management fees, brokerage fees, and taxes can consume a significant portion of returns. Reassess if you're paying what's necessary.

  2. Automate investments: Set up automatic contributions to discipline your strategy and avoid emotional decisions.

  3. Perform periodic rebalancing: Every 6 months, adjust your portfolio to maintain the desired allocation among asset classes.

  4. Diversify among managers: Even the best managers go through periods of below-expected performance.

  5. Document your strategy: Record your objectives and investment criteria in writing to consult in moments of doubt or volatility.

  6. Monitor fundamental indicators: Interest rates, inflation, economic growth, and corporate results are more important than daily price fluctuations.

  7. Have patience: The best investments rarely generate significant returns in the short term.

Risks to Monitor in 2025

  1. Stagflation: Scenario of low growth with persistent inflation

  2. Geopolitical tensions: Regional conflicts that can impact supply chains

  3. Sector bubbles: Especially in technology and crypto assets

  4. Credit stress: Increasing defaults in sectors sensitive to high interest rates

  5. Extreme climate events: Impacts on agricultural production and infrastructure

Conclusion

The year 2025 presents a transition scenario, with interest rates still elevated but with a perspective of gradual monetary easing. This environment favors well-calibrated strategies that combine protection against persistent inflation with selective exposure to growth sectors.

The key to success isn't in trying to find the "best investment of the year," but in building a diversified portfolio aligned with your long-term goals. Remember that successful investing is a continuous process of learning, adaptation, and discipline.

Regardless of risk profile, ongoing financial education and regular monitoring of the economic scenario are fundamental to navigate safely and take advantage of the opportunities that 2025 offers to prepared investors.