Trump's Winners: 10 Best Performing U.S. Companies Since Inauguration

Forbes

14-05-2025

Stocks are down since Trump's inauguration but some companies are doing well.
The stock markets may have rallied in recent days, but the S&P500 is still down 5% since Trump's inauguration. This does not mean that all companies have declined during that period. On the contrary, some have done well.
To identify how U.S. companies can excel under the current administration, it may be helpful for business leaders to consider which companies had the best stock price performance between January 17 (the last trading day before inauguration) and May 8, 2025.
Three strategic pathways emerge. First, being efficient at selling essentials always works during turbulent times. That's true for Kroger and Dollar General, but also Philip Morris. Second, if you are great at creating the essential plumbing for the digital world—AT&T and VeriSign are good examples—you are set for growth. Finally, if you play in niches less affected by trade wars or polarization in general, then you can avoid some of the headwinds. Again, AT&T is a good example. So is Netflix. Better still, these tensions may play in your favor as it does for the government's security firm of choice Palantir.
Even when consumers are unsure about the future, they continue to buy essential goods like groceries. Instead of buying less, they actually shift their spending from other discretionary items to food. Meaning the demand even increases. Discount stores tend to benefit most from this. Although Kroger is a mid-market retailer, it carries 16,000 well-priced items under its own private labels. These products generate 20% of the company's revenues. In short, turbulent times are not bad for Kroger.
Telecoms are relatively isolated from trade wars. While tariffs had an effect on the availability and cost of some telecom equipment, the overall trajectory of the Trump administration is favorable for AT&T. Reducing the regulatory burden, and particularly easing M&A restrictions, opens the door for strategic deals. If the plan to reduce corporate tax materializes, it will improve AT&T's financial position and the administration's desire to invest in infrastructure aligns well with the company's main strategic play to expand fibre networks and modernize 5G networks.
Not all corporate fortunes are tied to the woes of an administration. Howmet Aerospace is able to exploit a leading position in a profitable niche market—aerospace fastening systems and forged aluminium wheels for commercial transportation. Tariffs on steel and aluminium have not undermined this, as Howmet optimized its supply chain, carefully managed its offerings, and could pass on rising costs by invoking force majeure.
Gold has always been a safe haven in times of political turmoil and inflation. So it is no surprise that the mining company holding the world's largest gold reserves is doing well at the moment. For the past decade Newmont has consistently produced 6 million ounces per year, making them a likely beneficiary of rising prices. The company has also increased operational efficiency in recent months, after being punished for higher-than-expected costs reported in October last year.
CVS integrated health model came under fire in late 2024. New bi-partisan legislation introduced in December intends to break the relationship between pharmacies and health insurance. Not surprisingly, the share price dropped. The increase since January is a recognition by the market that CVS has been able to adjust quickly. Financials in the first quarter were strong while CVS prepares legal challenges, increases lobbying efforts, and plans 270 pharmacy closures in 2025. Considerable headwinds are waiting though, with this administration planning to lower drug prices partly by cutting out pharmacy benefit managers.
Lilyhammer, the story of a New York mobster relocating to Norway, was Netflix's first original. It was Netflix's answer to a new threat: streaming services set up by Hollywood studios. Rather than trying to mimic the likes of Disney, it leveraged its international footprint, often partnering with local studios to create unique content that it distributed globally. This strategy still works, even more so in a more divided world. A new season of Korean hit-show Squid Game and the unexpected success of British produced Adolescence were among the new releases attracting and retaining subscribers. In addition, expansion into live streaming, interactive shows, and gaming created new income streams. New growth engines!
Discount stores do well when consumers are worried. During the pandemic, Dollar General's stock went up by 60%, though it dropped sharply afterwards. Since then, a turnaround has increased efficiency, leveraging the considerable scale the company has. No other retailer can match its local footprint of 20,000 stores. That puts a Dollar General store within 5 miles of 75% of Americans. With the economy entering choppy waters, this combination of low prices and convenience sets Dollar General up for further growth.
Warren Buffet likes three things when looking at potential investments: strong fundamentals, a unique competitive edge, and consistency. Since 2018, VeriSign has consistently reported exceptionally high net profit margins above 45%. Its competitive advantage is the monopoly it holds for .com and .net domain names. Consumers don't buy from VeriSign directly, but every time someone buys one of these domains, the company gets paid. Even better, it can increase prices—last September by it did so by 7%. VeriSign may be a boring company, but by providing vital plumbing for the digital economy, it is also likely to prevail in more turbulent times.
Tobacco products are consumer staples that are usually not effected by recessions. But Philip Morris has a strategy that puts it ahead of U.S. competitor Altria (+16%). Crucially, Philip Morris has diversified more successfully—42% of its quarter one revenues came from smoke-free products. Compared to cigarettes, this is a growing market. In addition, the exposure to tariffs is limited. Since the spin out of Altria in 2008 no cigarettes are sold in the US. Other products are but supply chains are regional, with ZYN nicotine pouches for the U.S. market for example being produced in the country.
Investors are always excited when companies are aligned with major trends. Few are in such a perfect spot as Palantir right now. It invested early in an AI platform. As CEO Alex Karp writes in the most recent letter to shareholders, at that time, 'many were skeptical, if not outright hostile.' And in an increasingly polarized world where many conflicts are fought online, Palantir's government security products are highly in demand. This isolated the company to the recent downward trends of tech stocks and outweighed concerns about how trade wars might affect the company.
This analysis of the 10 best performing companies since inauguration offers a timely reminder that, even during difficult periods, there are usually winners as well as losers. The companies that benefit most are those with strong strategies that align with the needs of the situation and turn challenges into opportunities.