What are the best stocks to buy in 2025 in Australia?
- Top ASX Stocks to Watch in 2025
- Dividend Focus: 8 High-Yield ASX Stocks for 2025
- Geographic Focus: Where to Invest Beyond Australia in 2025
- On the same topic
As 2025 unfolds amid a fast-evolving global and local economic landscape — characterised by persistent inflation, stabilising interest rates, and technological transformation — Australian equity markets are entering a new phase.
Against this backdrop, investors face a critical question: which ASX stocks offer the best potential this year to capture growth while managing risk?
From global healthcare leaders and robust dividend-payers to tech disruptors and energy giants, the Australian market offers a broad range of opportunities. Yet, knowing where to look — and why — remains the ultimate challenge.
Explore the stocks to watch, the best dividend-paying shares, and long-term growth opportunities right here on the ASX.
Top ASX Stocks to Watch in 2025
💉 CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) – Global Leader in Biotech
CSL continues to strengthen its plasma therapies and vaccine pipeline, supported by global demand and innovation-led growth, though currency headwinds and R&D costs may weigh on margins.
🎯 End-2025 Price Target: $330 AUD
(currently around $290 AUD)
📉 Key Risks: R&D execution risk and foreign exchange volatility.
⛽ Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) – Energy Giant Balancing LNG and Renewables
Woodside benefits from robust Asian LNG demand while gradually pivoting toward cleaner energy, though oil and gas price volatility remains a key challenge.
🎯 End-2025 Price Target: $36 AUD
(currently around $28 AUD)
📉 Key Risks: Commodity price swings and regulatory uncertainty.
🏦 Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) – Australia’s Leading Retail Bank
CBA leverages its dominant retail position and solid capital base to deliver strong returns and attractive dividends, though slowing credit growth could moderate earnings.
🎯 End-2025 Price Target: $125 AUD
(currently around $110 AUD)
📉 Key Risks: Housing market downturn and tighter lending conditions.
🛒 Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) – Defensive Growth in Retail
Woolworths benefits from stable grocery demand and digital expansion initiatives, offering resilience amid economic uncertainty, though rising costs remain a concern.
🎯 End-2025 Price Target: $38 AUD
(currently around $33 AUD)
📉 Key Risks: Margin pressure from inflation and labour costs.
🚛 WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) – Tech Champion in Global Logistics
WiseTech capitalises on global trade digitalisation and supply chain optimisation trends, though high valuation and competitive pressures may pose challenges.
🎯 End-2025 Price Target: $115 AUD
(currently around $95 AUD)
📉 Key Risks: Execution risk in global expansion and market competition.
⛏️ Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG) – Iron Ore Giant with Clean Energy Ambitions
Fortescue remains a cash machine with high dividend potential driven by iron ore demand, while advancing in green hydrogen, though iron ore price volatility is a key watchpoint.
🎯 End-2025 Price Target: $25 AUD
(currently around $20 AUD)
📉 Key Risks: Iron ore price correction and decarbonisation capex.
📡 Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) – Leading Telco with Strong Cash Flow
Telstra continues to generate stable cash flows from its dominant network and infrastructure assets, offering reliable dividends, though competition and pricing pressures persist.
🎯 End-2025 Price Target: $4.90 AUD
(currently around $4.20 AUD)
📉 Key Risks: Competitive intensity and NBN-related earnings drag.
Dividend Focus: 8 High-Yield ASX Stocks for 2025
For income-focused investors, these ASX-listed companies offer attractive dividend yields this year across essential and resilient sectors:
Company | Sector | Estimated 2025 Dividend | Approximate Yield | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) | Mining | $2.00 | ~8.4% | Strong cash flow from iron ore exports |
Woodside Energy (WDS) | Energy | $2.40 | ~8.0% | Supported by LNG demand and disciplined capex |
APA Group (APA) | Utilities | $0.55 | ~6.9% | Stable infrastructure revenues |
National Australia Bank (NAB) | Banking | $1.90 | ~5.5% | Solid capital return outlook |
Telstra Group (TLS) | Telecommunications | $0.18 | ~4.5% | Predictable cash flow and steady payout |
Coles Group (COL) | Retail | $0.65 | ~5.0% | Defensive food retail demand |
Transurban Group (TCL) | Infrastructure | $0.63 | ~4.3% | Inflation-linked toll road revenues |
Amcor (AMC) | Packaging | $0.50 | ~5.3% | Global footprint and steady earnings |
Geographic Focus: Where to Invest Beyond Australia in 2025
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Income and Industrial Resilience
The UK offers industrial and defensive stocks with reliable dividends, especially in sectors like mining, consumer goods and utilities. Companies such as Rio Tinto (LSE: RIO) remain global leaders in resource production, while others like National Grid and British American Tobacco provide stability and consistent income in uncertain times.
🇺🇸 United States: Innovation at the Forefront
The US market remains the global centre of technological disruption, led by giants like Microsoft, Apple, and NVIDIA. Investors seeking exposure to artificial intelligence, cloud computing and healthcare innovation will find the US essential to any forward-looking portfolio.
🇪🇺 Europe: Industrial Strength and Green Transition
Continental Europe offers access to leading companies in autos, manufacturing and clean energy. Names like Siemens, Airbus and TotalEnergies are well positioned to benefit from industrial demand and the shift towards renewable power.
🌏 Asia-Pacific Emerging Markets: Selective Opportunities
Emerging Asia continues to offer selective growth opportunities in markets like India and Indonesia, driven by demographics and infrastructure development. However, geopolitical risks and regulatory uncertainty warrant a cautious, diversified approach.
In 2025, Australia’s share market offers plenty of compelling choices, from world-class healthcare and robust financials to resource titans and innovative tech players.
By combining dividend resilience, growth potential, and geographic diversification, investors can better position their portfolios to navigate what promises to be a transformative year ahead.