Big name stocks refer to well-known companies that are widely recognized and have a significant presence in the stock market. These companies are often industry leaders and are included in major stock indices such as the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, or Nasdaq Composite. These companies are characterized by their large market capitalizations, stable financial performance, and strong brand recognition.
In an interview on January 22, Dave Sekera, US Market Strategist at Morningstar, provided a detailed outlook for large-cap stocks in 2025. Sekera highlighted that the performance of large-cap stocks in 2024 was particularly strong, driven by several key factors. The explosive demand for artificial intelligence (AI) hardware and platforms, especially in the first half of 2024, significantly boosted the performance of large-cap tech stocks. Additionally, the US economy remained resilient, with faster-than-expected growth, which supported the performance of large-cap stocks. The Federal Reserve’s easing of monetary policy also played a crucial role in driving the market higher.
READ ALSO: 12 Most Promising Green Stocks According to Hedge Funds and 10 Worst Performing Energy Stocks in 2024.
However, Sekera noted that the rate of monetary policy easing is now slowing, and the market is pricing in fewer rate cuts this year than originally projected. This, combined with sticky inflation and a rise in long-term interest rates, suggests that the tailwinds that supported large-cap stocks in 2024 are beginning to recede.
Furthermore, Sekera pointed out that the concentration of market returns in 2024 was notable, with 10 stocks accounting for 58% of the market gain, despite representing only 30% of the market capitalization. This concentration is less than the 67% peak in June 2024, indicating a broadening of returns in the second half of the year. Despite this broadening, many of these large-cap stocks, particularly those tied to AI, are now trading at significant premiums. Sekera advised investors to be cautious, as very few of these large-cap stocks are currently undervalued, with most trading at 2-star or 1-star ratings, indicating they are overvalued.
Big name stocks remain a compelling investment choice, offering stability, strong financial performance, and long-term growth potential. With that in context, let’s take a look at the 12 best big name stocks to invest in now.
The New York Stock Exchange building. Photo by Дмитрий Трепольский on Pexels
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the 12 best big name stocks to invest in now, we used Finviz and Yahoo stock screeners to identify well-known, large-cap companies, that have a significant presence in the United States stock market. We then used Insider Monkey’s Hedge Fund database to rank 12 stocks according to the largest number of hedge fund holders, as of Q3 2024. The list is sorted in ascending order of hedge fund sentiment.
Why do we care about what hedge funds do? 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 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
12 Best Big Name Stocks to Invest in Now
12. The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 95
The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is one of the largest and most successful insurance providers in the United States. The company has a rich history of delivering competitive insurance products and is known for its direct-to-consumer approach and pioneering tools, such as usage-based insurance programs.
The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is making significant investments in marketing and advertising to fuel its growth. The company has achieved strong returns on its media spending and is maintaining a cost per sale below target acquisition costs. This efficiency has enabled the company to expand its customer base through both its app and agency channels. By leveraging advanced segmentation capabilities, the company is targeting high-quality customers and improving retention rates. The company is also using data and analytics to gain deeper insights into customer behavior and preferences to tailor its marketing strategies to specific segments and enhance the impact of its advertising efforts.
In addition, The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is focused on expanding its product portfolio and entering new markets. The company has experienced substantial growth in its commercial lines business and aims to capitalize on this success by introducing new products and services designed to meet the needs of small businesses and entrepreneurs. Furthermore, The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is investing in its technology platform and is emphasizing the development of new digital channels and tools to enhance customer interactions and improve convenience.
11. Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 97
Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) is an integrated retail electricity and power generation company, primarily serving markets across the United States. The company delivers energy solutions to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) is also making strides in renewable energy and battery storage projects, aligning with clean energy goals.
Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) is actively pursuing various opportunities to grow its business, with a focus on expanding its presence in the energy market. One key area of growth is in the development of new energy projects, including solar and storage initiatives. The company has announced several new projects, including a solar project for Amazon and Microsoft, and is committed to executing on its existing project pipeline.
Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) sees significant opportunities in the data center space and is in discussions with several data center developers and operators about potential partnerships, including co-location deals at its existing sites and the development of new generation capacity to support data center load. The company’s nuclear and gas sites are of particular interest to data center operators due to their reliability and potential for long-term power purchase agreements. The company believes that its ability to offer a range of energy solutions, including renewable energy and energy storage, will be attractive to data center operators looking to reduce their carbon footprint and ensure a reliable energy supply.
