The S&P 500 Index (SP: INX) soared 16.39% and delivered total returns, including dividends, of 17.88%, according to S&P Global.

The S&P 500 reached a record 6,945.77 points in December before closing the year at 6,845.5 points.

The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, rising 20.36% with total returns of 21.33%.

The Nasdaq Composite hit its peak in October at 24,019.99 points before closing at 23,241.99 points on 31 December.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI), which tracks the performance of 30 selected S&P 500 stocks, rose 12.97% and delivered total returns of 14.92%.

The Dow Jones Index closed 2025 at 48,063.29 points, and hit a new record overnight at 49,209.95 points.

By comparison, S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares rose 6.8% and produced total returns of 10.32% in 2025.

The ASX 200 rose to a record 9,115.2 points in October before finishing the year at 8,714.3 points.

The S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO), which tracks the top 500 companies, rose by 7.11% and gave a total return of 10.56%.

The ASX All Ords closed 2025 at 9,018.8 points after hitting a record in October at 9,414.6 points.

Top 5 US stocks and ASX shares of 2025

According to Yahoo Finance, the top five US stocks for growth last year were:

1. Flash memory designer and manufacturer Sandisk Corp (NASDAQ: SNDK), up 548%

2. Data storage company and hardware manufacturer, Western Digital Corp (NASDAQ: WDC), up 335%

3. Computer data storage company, Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ: MU), up 222%

4. Global data storage solutions company, Seagate Technology Holdings PLC (NASDAQ: STX), up 220%

5. US stocks trading platform provider, Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOD), up 183%

The top five ASX All Ords shares for growth were:

1. Anti-drone technology company DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO), up 300%

2. Gold miner Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR), up 220%

3. Gold explorer Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI), up 220%

4. Gold miner Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG), up 206%

5. Lithium miner Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO), up 206%

Check out the best performing ASX 200 shares here.

What's next for US stocks in 2026?

In its 2026 investment outlook, Morgan Stanley projected that S&P 500 shares will rise to 7,800 points by the end of the new year.

That would represent an annual gain of 13%.

The broker expects US earnings and cash flow growth due to a market-friendly policy mix, interest rate cuts, corporate tax cuts from the 'One Big Beautiful Act', positive operating leverage, and the re-emergence of pricing power and AI-driven efficiency gains.

Serena Tang, Morgan Stanley's Chief Global Cross-Asset Strategist, said:

There will be some bumps along the way, but we believe that the bull market is intact.

Another broker, UBS, predicts the S&P 500 will lift to 7,300 points by June and 7,700 points by Christmas.

UBS said US stocks will be driven by about 10% earnings growth and lower interest rates.

In an article, the broker said: 

In addition to the transformative force of AI, we believe the structural trends of electrification and longevity will also drive equity performance for the long term.

Tactically, we believe AI beneficiaries are broadening out both within and beyond tech, and we see opportunities in companies facilitating grid modernization and supply critical raw materials.

In the longevity field, we expect strong growth in the obesity, oncology, and medical device markets.

Check out which US stocks are most popular with Aussie investors and why.

The post US stocks vs. ASX shares in 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Some invest in safe-haven stocks and assets, while others are willing to take on more risk in the hope of hitting the jackpot.

The Australian recently compiled a list of 10 Australian billionaires, and the stocks they like to invest their money into.

Gina Rinehart

The Australian heiress, billionaire mining magnate, and businesswoman has built a $2 billion stock portfolio through Hancock Prospecting. It consists mainly of mining stocks and exchange-traded funds. The company owns shares in US-listed stocks such as Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA), Fox Corp (NASDAQ: FOX), and Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (NASDAQ: DJT).

Hancock Prospecting also has exposure in Australian markets. Hancock is a major shareholder in gold producer Ballard Mining Ltd (ASX: BM1), which floated on the ASX on July 14, 2025. 

Gerry Harvey

Australian entrepreneur and executive chairman of Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN), Gerry Harvey, backs New-Zealand based Briscoe Group Ltd (ASX: BGP). Briscoe comprises homewares stores and now Rebel Sports outlets. 

Bruce Mathieson

Bruce Mathieson is known for his influence in the Australian pub, hotel, and gambling sectors. 

According to The Australian, Mathieson has some of his fortune locked up in Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) shares, shares in Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR), and shares in Mayne Pharma Group Ltd (ASX: MYX). He also has shares in RAS Technology Holdings Ltd (ASX: RHL).

Chris Morris

Chris Morris built share registry services firm Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU) and maintains a large holding in the business. He also has shares in US data storage company Seagate Technology Holdings PLC (NASDAQ: STX).

James Packer

The Crown Resorts Ltd (ASX: CWN) king sold out of the business in 2022 and has since invested money into US technology stocks. His biggest holdings are in Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TPE: 2330), Shopify Inc (NASDAQ: SHOP), Spotify Technology SA (NYSE: SPOT), and Monday.Com Ltd (NASDAQ: MNDY).

Alan Rydge

Alan Rudge's wealth is mostly in two ASX-listed companies, which he has led for 45 years – Carlton Investments (ASX: CIN) and EVT Ltd (ASX: EVT). He is also a long-time stockholder of Harvey Norman shares.

Ed Craven

Ed Craven is Australia's youngest billionaire. He is well known for his cryptocurrency gambling empire Stake.com, and Kick streaming. He and his business partner Bijan Tehrani also have a 5% shareholding in Australian bookmaker Pointsbet Holdings Ltd (ASX: PBH).

Bruce Gordon

Bruce Gordon owns the Australian television network WIN Television through his ownership of WIN Corporation, the largest shareholder of Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC). He also has shares in Singapore's mobile and telecommunication network Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA).

Kerry Harmanis

Kerry Harmanis was the founder and executive chairman of Jubilee Mines NL, a highly successful Western Australian nickel miner which he established in 1987. Today, he still dabbles in mining shares, including Talisman Mining Ltd (ASX: TLM) and Centauras Metals Ltd (ASX: CTM).

Mark Creasy

Mark Creasy is one of Australia's most successful prospectors. He has a minority stake in nickel and lithium miner IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO), as well as a handful of other mining stocks. He recently invested into exploration company Lexington Gold Ltd (LON: LEX).

The post Australian billionaires: Which stocks do they own? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.