On Monday, RBC Capital Markets unveiled its top stock picks for 2025, highlighting an energy giant and a major financial firm in a list of 30 selections. Despite a total compound annual return of 13.7% since its inception, the basket underperformed in 2024, recording negative returns for both the fourth quarter and the full year. High performers from last year included HubSpot, CrowdStrike, and HealthEquity. Notably, energy stock ConocoPhillips replaced Canadian Natural Resources in the top picks due to its strong fundamentals and potential for a 34% surge based on a $135 price target. The bank emphasized ConocoPhillips’ robust global inventory and strong balance sheet. Additionally, financial firm MSCI replaced Intercontinental Exchange, with a $675 price target suggesting a potential 12% increase. Analyst Ashish Sabadra forecasted revenue growth alongside improved margins driven by favorable trends in Financial Services. Returning to the list, Pinterest, despite a 22% drop last year, has begun 2025 positively. Other stock picks for the year include First Solar and Gitlab, reflecting diverse sectors and potential for growth in the current economic climate.
