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My Watchlist for 2025: A Blend of Growth, Yield & Diversification



Thinking about how to position my portfolio for 2025, I wanted a mix of established blue chips, high-quality ETFs, tech giants, global brands, and opportunities for strong yield and growth. Here’s a rundown of the stocks and funds I’m researching, why I’m interested, and how I see them fitting into a well-rounded investment strategy.

Australian Equities

1. BHP Group (BHP)

  • World’s largest miner, exposure to iron ore and copper.
  • Strong dividend history and capital returns through market cycles.
  • Diversification across bulk commodities, global operations, and entry into potash signals long-term growth.

2. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

  • Australia’s largest bank, robust dividend payer, market leader in retail banking.
  • Consistent earnings and a 4.65/share dividend as of 2025.
  • Defensive qualities in the financial sector yet at a historical premium valuation.

3. Macquarie Group (MQG)

  • Global investment bank with diversified asset management and infrastructure business.
  • Solid history of earnings growth (7.9% 1-year return), global reach, and focus on future-proof sectors such as green energy.

4. Coles Group (COL), Goodman Group (GMC), ResMed (RMD), Telstra (TLS), Xero (XRO), IPA

  • High-quality domestic names with a mix of defensive (COL, TLS) and innovative (RMD, XRO) exposure.
  • Telstra is a dividend stalwart, especially attractive to income-focused investors.

Australian ETFs

5. Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS)

  • Tracks the S&P/ASX 300, broad exposure to Australian equities in a single holding.
  • Low fee (0.07%), transparent, and includes major stocks like BHP and CBA.
  • Recent annual return: 2.57% (1-year), 13.21% (5-year p.a. as of Mar 2025).

6. Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (VHY)

  • Focused on high-dividend Australian companies—lots of CBA and BHP.
  • Five-year annualized return: 16.14%; average yield around 5% or higher, with franking credits enhancing after-tax returns.

Global Equities & US Tech

7. Apple (AAPL)

  • An innovation powerhouse with strong financials and a loyal ecosystem.
  • Trades at a premium (~$214/share mid-2025), with next 12 months seen as “range-bound” but bullish sentiment overall.
  • Ongoing revenue diversification through services and wearables.

8. Microsoft (MSFT)

  • Benefiting from leadership in cloud computing (Azure) and artificial intelligence.
  • Strong buy consensus, with analysts projecting upside from AI-driven innovation and enterprise contracts.
  • 12-month target price: $552.16 vs. current ~$505/share.

9. Tesla (TSLA)

  • Still a magnet for innovation and volatility.
  • 2025 forecasts show a median price target around $299–$352, with analysts split on near-term upside versus stretched valuations.
  • Key focus: expansion into energy storage, new models, and global market share.

International ETFs

10. iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV)

  • Instantly diversifies you into the top 500 US companies, including AAPL, MSFT, NKE, and TSLA.
  • Strong historical returns: 5-year annualized return ~17.5% as of mid-2025, ultra-low management fee.

11. SPDR S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD)

  • Invests in 80 highest-yielding S&P 500 stocks, currently yielding ~4.36% and paying quarterly.
  • Offers exposure to high dividend US stocks while maintaining a diversified US equity allocation.

Income-Focused US ETFs

12. JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ)

  • Focuses on Nasdaq 100 stocks, actively manages a call-writing strategy to generate monthly income.
  • Boasts a double-digit yield (11.25% as of July 2025).
  • Seeks to mitigate downside risk while maintaining tech exposure.

13. JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI)

  • Covered-call strategy on large cap US equities, monthly yield around 8.29%, designed for stable income.
  • Serves as a more defensive, lower-volatility alternative to pure S&P 500 exposure.

Global & Emerging Names

14. SBU & IPA

  • SBU (Stanbic Uganda Holdings): Leading Ugandan bank with a stellar dividend yield (~12.34%) and robust recent share price performance.
  • IPA: (Assumed to be an international play in mining or finance—research remains ongoing).

Global Brands

15. McDonald's (MCD), Nike (NKE)

  • McDonald’s: Consistent sales/revenue, strong global franchise system. 12-month price target: $324.32, with a 2.38% dividend.
  • Nike: Dominant in athletic wear, strong brand power, expected moderate upside with a 2.1% yield.

Final Thoughts

  • Diversification: Wide sector, country, and asset-class spread, blending growth and income.
  • Yield: Several ETFs and blue chips here prioritize dividends, with added benefits for Australian investors (franking).
  • Growth: Tech leaders (AAPL, MSFT, TSLA), global consumer (MCD, NKE), and innovative banking (MQG, SBU) provide growth engines.
  • Stability: VAS, IVV, SPYD, JEPI, and JEPQ anchor the list with diversified, liquid core holdings.

I use technicals like RSI and MACD to monitor for entry points, aiming for quality at a reasonable price and a good balance between high conviction and risk management. This collection is not a recommendation—just a snapshot of my current research and thinking for a portfolio aiming to thrive through 2025 and beyond.

What stocks are on your watchlist for 2025? Share your thoughts or questions below!

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