Find out which stocks to buy now! Volatile stocks, speculative investments, and the best ideas for your portfolio — let’s explore where to invest in 2025.
The year 2025 has become a time for those who love risk and quick profits. Conservative investments no longer deliver high returns. The market has shifted, and today investors are once again chasing volatile stocks with renewed enthusiasm.
Why are volatile stocks and speculative investments so popular right now?
The reason is simple: with high Fed interest rates, persistent inflation, and geopolitical instability, large-cap companies are no longer growing steadily. Instead, stock prices are swinging wildly — soaring and then plunging. It’s risky, but for those who understand the market, it’s a chance to earn quickly.
So, where should you invest to seize the moment? That’s exactly what this article is about — we’ll break down which stocks to buy now and which ones are especially attractive for speculative investing in 2025.
Top volatile US stocks to watch in 2025
The US tech sector remains one of the most intriguing and unpredictable parts of the market in 2025. In recent years, tech stocks have seen massive growth. Now, analysts are talking about corrections and high volatility. The reasons? Geopolitics, the global race for tech leadership, and shifting investor expectations. But moments like these offer great opportunities for traders.
As usual, the spotlight is on the big players: Tesla, NVIDIA, and AMD are at the top of the list, attracting the most attention.
Tesla (TSLA): under pressure but still full of potential
Tesla stock is going through a rough patch — a textbook example of volatility. The main reason for the decline is a sharp drop in sales in key markets. For example, in February 2025, Tesla’s sales plummeted:
- 49% in China
- 76% in Germany
- 2% in the US
Analysts attribute this to intense competition and overall global economic instability.
Another issue for Tesla is Elon Musk’s political activity. The CEO is heavily involved in political debates, openly supports certain politicians, and often makes controversial public statements. Some of these have sparked backlash from consumers, including calls to boycott the brand, all of which affect sales and Tesla's reputation.
Despite these challenges, many analysts still consider Tesla attractive for both speculative and long-term investments. The reason? Tesla’s leadership in EVs, battery tech, and autonomous driving. If the geopolitical climate improves, investor confidence in Tesla could rebound quickly.
NVIDIA (NVDA): betting on artificial intelligence
NVIDIA is a dominant force in the tech sector and a top pick for speculative investors. Today, the company is virtually synonymous with AI, producing the cutting-edge chips that power most neural networks worldwide.
Recently, NVIDIA unveiled its new AI chips, Blackwell, with even more powerful products — Rubin — already announced. These innovations are expected to drive the company’s next growth phase.
However, in early 2025, NVIDIA shares lost around 20% of their value due to a broad tech-sector correction.
Still, analysts believe NVIDIA has strong recovery and growth potential. The company is a core supplier of AI infrastructure, and demand continues to rise. In the long run, NVIDIA remains one of the most attractive speculative investments in the market.
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD): an undervalued challenger
AMD is NVIDIA’s closest competitor in the chip and artificial intelligence space. If you’re unsure where to invest in 2025, pay close attention to AMD, which is also aggressively competing with Intel in the CPU market. According to analysts, AMD stock currently appears undervalued, making it particularly attractive for investors looking for strong entry points.
The main driver of AMD’s growth is its focus on AI and data center technologies. The company is actively expanding its market share in the server solutions space and has become a serious competitor to NVIDIA. While AMD hasn’t yet overtaken the leader, it continues to gain ground.
Analysts believe AMD has strong potential for price appreciation. If you're considering which stocks to buy now, AMD is worth a close look. The company has consistently delivered solid performance, and its stock could see a breakout, especially as investor interest in the tech sector rebounds.
AI companies and social media: the two key tech trends in 2025
In the US high-tech sector, two clear trends dominate in 2025: artificial intelligence and social media. Companies in these areas are attracting significant attention from traders and analysts. Two especially interesting names for investors are Meta Platforms and Palantir Technologies.
Meta Platforms (META): still a speculator’s favorite
Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) is no longer just a social media company in 2025. It has undergone a major transformation and is heavily investing in artificial intelligence. This year alone, Meta plans to spend up to $65 billion on AI development. Founder Mark Zuckerberg believes AI will be the company’s primary growth engine in the coming years. Meta is developing its own chips and software designed to process the vast data generated by billions of users across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
Despite these efforts, Meta’s stock remains highly volatile. Why? The company still depends heavily on advertising, which is a sensitive indicator of economic health. Any slowdown in U.S. growth immediately impacts Meta’s revenues and stock price. Nevertheless, even in a difficult 2025, Meta is the only major tech giant whose stock is up year-to-date (+4%).
Analysts are optimistic about Meta’s potential. For example, Truist Securities recently raised its price target to $700. Experts believe that if Meta successfully integrates AI into its social networks and messaging platforms, the company’s earnings could rise significantly.
Palantir Technologies (PLTR): the top AI speculative play
Palantir Technologies offers another compelling story in the AI space. The company has become a favorite among investors betting on the future of artificial intelligence. Palantir specializes in analyzing massive datasets, with key clients including US government agencies and large corporations, providing the company with stable revenue even during economic downturns.
So why is Palantir stock so volatile? The reason lies in sky-high market expectations. Investors are hoping for a breakout performance similar to NVIDIA’s meteoric rise a few years ago. In 2025, Palantir’s commercial revenue grew 54%, exceeding $1 billion — a strong result, but the market wants even more. Any disappointment quickly leads to stock sell-offs.
Analysts are divided on Palantir’s future. The company is indeed growing fast and expanding its commercial footprint. Recently, it signed several major contracts with US corporations to implement AI technologies, giving it a real shot at boosting revenue and profitability.
Experts have recently raised the stock’s price target to $35, viewing Palantir as one of the most promising AI companies. However, it’s important to remember that lofty valuations come with risk: if the company fails to meet market expectations, the stock could decline sharply.
Which stocks to buy now in the high-tech and related sectors
The US financial sector in 2025 appears unstable, but that's exactly what makes it attractive. Two companies — Coinbase and PayPal — are especially popular among investors who embrace risk and seek big moves in stock prices.
Coinbase (COIN): riding the waves of the crypto market
Coinbase is the largest crypto exchange in the US, and its stock is closely tied to the performance of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In early 2025, the crypto market saw a sharp downturn: Bitcoin dropped from $98,000 to nearly $79,000. Coinbase stock followed, falling around 20% in just a few weeks.
Why is Coinbase so sensitive to crypto prices? Because its revenue depends directly on trading volume on its platform. When crypto markets fall, Coinbase earns less, and its stock drops accordingly. These sharp price swings are exactly what speculative investors look for. When Bitcoin starts rising again, Coinbase stock could surge.
Another factor adding to volatility is crypto regulation in the US. Recently, the Senate Banking Committee approved a bill on stablecoins — a positive development for Coinbase, as it brings more clarity and structure to the crypto market. The clearer the rules, the more likely it is that large investors and even banks will engage in crypto trading. Analysts say this regulatory move could help boost Coinbase’s performance soon.
Coinbase shares currently trade around $184, and analysts forecast the price could reach $217 by year-end, an upside potential of about 16%. This kind of setup is appealing to traders looking for high-risk, high-reward opportunities.
PayPal (PYPL): volatile stock and the future of online payments
In recent years, PayPal has often disappointed investors. The main reason? Intensified competition in the online payments space. The company has lost ground to Apple Pay and Google Pay, leading some to question whether PayPal still holds the brand power it once did.
Despite this, PayPal remains a volatile stock, and that opens the door to profit. Why? Because the company is actively working to reclaim its leadership position by introducing new technologies and services. In 2025, PayPal is launching Fastlane, a feature that allows faster checkouts without registration for customers in Europe and the UK. Analysts believe that even modest improvements in the payments experience could significantly boost revenues and stock value.
PayPal also aims to improve profitability. The company has promised investors it will increase earnings per share by around 6–10% this year. If it meets that target, analysts estimate the stock could rise to $95 by the end of 2025. With current prices significantly lower, this gives investors a strong opportunity to benefit from a possible rebound.
However, keep in mind: PayPal’s volatility is driven by fierce competition, and any negative news can quickly trigger a selloff.
Volatile stocks in the green energy sector in 2025
Green energy has long been a popular trend in the stock market, and in 2025, investor interest in the sector intensified. This is driven by the global push to reduce carbon emissions and expand the use of renewable energy. At the same time, stocks in this space have become more volatile, and not all investments here are safe.
Two standout players in the sector are Enphase Energy and Plug Power (PLUG) — very different companies, but both attract investors thanks to their unpredictability and growth potential.
Enphase Energy (ENPH): The ups and downs of the solar market
Enphase Energy is one of the largest solar technology providers in the US, specializing in microinverters — devices that convert solar energy into electricity and maximize panel efficiency.
Why is Enphase considered a speculative investment? The key reason is the cyclical nature of the solar energy market. Demand for solar panels heavily depends on the economy and energy prices. For instance, demand has recently dropped significantly in Europe, causing Enphase's revenue to fall by about 25% year-over-year, leading to a steep stock price decline.
Not long ago, Enphase was riding high, with its stock reaching $340 per share. But now, analysts have lowered their price targets: from $100 down to $65, and Citi set it at $70. Why the downgrade? Expectations of a quick demand recovery in Europe have faded. In addition, rising interest rates and increased competition are making it harder for consumers to invest in solar installations.
That said, the long-term outlook for solar energy remains positive. If you’re unsure where to invest in 2025, this sector is still worth watching. Enphase expects revenue to rebound to around $380 million next quarter, slightly above analyst estimates. The company benefits from offering technologically advanced products that consumers are willing to pay a premium for.
Despite the volatility, Enphase stock may appeal to long-term investors willing to weather the downturn and bet on a recovery in the renewable energy market.
Plug Power (PLUG): betting on hydrogen — risks and opportunities
Plug Power is a company working in hydrogen energy, manufacturing fuel cells and equipment for green hydrogen production. This field is considered highly promising, and many governments actively support it. However, Plug Power's stock remains a risky investment.
Why is that?
First, the company has yet to turn a profit. Plug Power is heavily investing in building new plants and infrastructure. By 2025, it plans to produce 500 tons of green hydrogen per day. If successful, this could position Plug Power as a leading market player. But right now, no one can be sure it will succeed.
Analysts offer contrasting views. Recently, some gave Plug Power a sell rating, citing excessive spending and slow growth. They warn of further losses and the stock price falling to around $1. On the other hand, other analysts note that hydrogen energy is poised to become a major part of the global economy, and they believe Plug Power’s current investments will help it secure a market foothold.
Why are Plug Power shares speculative?
Because the stock can swing dramatically. Any news about new contracts, government support, or major partners sparks sharp price increases. But if the company fails to deliver, the stock quickly declines.
Volatile stocks in retail and entertainment
Some stocks aren’t valued for stability but for their potential for quick gains—entertainment and retail companies that have become famous thanks to internet communities. Chief among them are AMC Entertainment and GameStop, which have drawn massive speculator interest for years.
AMC Entertainment (AMC): meme stock back in the spotlight
AMC Entertainment is the largest movie theater chain in the US and globally. Its stock became famous in 2021 when millions of retail investors rallied around it during the pandemic. AMC shares skyrocketed by hundreds of percent, becoming a symbol of "small investors versus Wall Street."
By 2025, AMC isn’t as viral, but its volatile stock still attracts attention. Most analysts predict a price range of $3–4, but that doesn't mean it’s boring. The company regularly surprises the market with sudden gains.
Why is AMC still unstable?
Because its business depends heavily on box office hits and blockbuster releases. For example, AMC is investing up to $1.5 billion to upgrade its theaters and improve the viewing experience. Analysts believe these upgrades could draw audiences back.
2025 is loaded with anticipated blockbusters—Mission: Impossible 8, a new Avatar, and another Jurassic World sequel—offering AMC a chance to boost revenue significantly. That makes the stock appealing to speculative investors.
GameStop (GME): from Reddit hype to renewed growth attempts
GameStop’s story mirrors that of AMC. In 2021, it exploded when retail investors rallied via Reddit, sending shares soaring by thousands of percent—before the price fell back to more realistic levels.
Investors asking where to put money in 2025 often wonder: What’s next for GameStop? The company is still working to regain stability and profitability. The issue is its heavy reliance on physical game sales, which are in decline. Still, GameStop surprised analysts by posting a profit in Q3 2024, despite falling sales.
GameStop remains popular with retail investors. A recent rumor that the company might invest in cryptocurrency, specifically Bitcoin, sparked an 8% stock jump. That illustrates why GameStop is a classic volatile stock: any rumor, strategy shift, or new project triggers strong price moves, making it a speculator’s favorite.
However, analysts remain cautious, with many recommending sell, believing the stock could drop to $10 due to lack of a solid growth plan.
Conclusion: where to invest in 2025?
Investing in volatile stocks means accepting risk. Yet in 2025, these stocks offer potential for higher returns than stable, profits-driven companies. Keep in mind three simple rules:
- Stay informed: volatile stocks react sharply to market mood and news.
- Manage risks: use stop-losses and avoid overconcentration in one stock.
- Buy on dips: enter positions when analysts label stocks undervalued after corrections.
Top speculative stocks to watch now
- Technology: Tesla, NVIDIA, AMD — leaders that can rebound quickly despite current headwinds.
- AI: Meta Platforms, Palantir Technologies — investing heavily in AI with massive upside potential.
- Financials: Coinbase, PayPal — volatile stocks in crypto trading and online payments.
- Green Energy: Enphase Energy, Plug Power — subject to policy and demand shifts, offering big upside to patient investors.
- Retail & Entertainment: AMC Entertainment, GameStop — meme-driven stocks that respond sharply to news and sentiment.
If you're looking for quick gains in 2025, keep a close eye on these companies. The market always offers new opportunities—you just have to spot and act on them wisely.
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