Best Stocks to Buy in the U.S. Market Right Now (Dec 12, 2025): Top Picks as Fed Cuts Rates and AI Stocks Turn Volatile

As Wall Street closes out the week, the U.S. market is flashing a familiar but uneasy signal: the major indexes sit near record highs — yet leadership is shifting. Following the Federal Reserve’s latest rate cut, investors are rotating out of pricey AI megacaps and into value, dividend plays, and rate-sensitive sectors. At the same time, fresh earnings warnings in the AI space have revived questions about profitability and long-term returns on massive AI investments.

For investors wondering which U.S.-listed stocks look attractive right now, the market’s message is straightforward: the “buy anything with AI” phase is fading. Cash flow strength, disciplined spending, and clear catalysts are being prioritized over hype.

Below is a news-driven December 12, 2025 watchlist, reflecting what’s moving sentiment today.

Note: This is not investment advice. Market conditions change quickly, and suitability depends on risk profile and time horizon.

What’s Driving the Market Today (Dec 12, 2025)

Recent developments shaping the “buy now” conversation:

• The S&P 500 just hit another record high, driven by rotation into financials, materials, and value pockets.
• Market valuations remain stretched, trading well above long-term averages.
• AI volatility is back: updates from Oracle and Broadcom sparked renewed debate about margins, capex, and returns on AI spending.
• The Fed delivered a quarter-point rate cut this week, but investors remain split over how many more cuts are coming.
• A backlog of macro data releases next week — including jobs data and CPI — could meaningfully sway rate expectations and sector leadership.
• The result? Many investors are building “barbell portfolios”: selective AI winners on one end, and value/dividend/rate-sensitive names on the other.

What the Market Is Rewarding in December 2025

• Real cash flows over promises, especially for AI firms with heavy capex plans.
• Broader leadership beyond mega-cap tech.
• Valuation discipline, given elevated index-level P/E ratios.
• Macro awareness, as upcoming data could shift rate expectations.

12 Best U.S.-Listed Stocks to Watch Now (Grouped by Theme)

A. High-Quality Compounders With Durable AI Tailwinds

1) Amazon (AMZN)

Multiple growth engines — AWS, e-commerce, ads, AI — make Amazon a top long-term compounder.

Watch: AWS margins and AI-related capex efficiency.

2) Microsoft (MSFT)

Strong cash flows and platform scale give it an edge as AI investments increase across industries.

Watch: Cloud growth and enterprise AI adoption.

3) Alphabet (GOOGL)

Cloud, Search, YouTube, and strong balance sheet make Alphabet a resilient AI-era player.

Watch: AI monetization progress and regulatory updates.

4) Visa (V)

A steady earnings compounder benefiting from global payments growth.

Watch: Consumer spending trends.

B. “Real-World Franchises” With Clear Catalysts

5) Walt Disney (DIS)

Undervalued relative to premium assets; parks growth and new AI-driven creative tools add upside.

Watch: Streaming performance and AI integration strategy.

6) Comcast (CMCSA)

A classic cash-flow value play benefiting from broadband stability.

Watch: Media strategy shifts and subscriber trends.

C. Value, Dividend, and Defensive Plays (Rotation Winners)

7) Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY)

Low valuation, solid pipeline, and dependable dividend.

Watch: Key drug launches and guidance shifts.

8) Exxon Mobil (XOM)

A top energy pick for stability, income, and long-term cash flow.

Watch: Oil prices and capex plans.

D. Rate-Cut Beneficiaries & Special Situations

9) SL Green Realty (SLG)

A contrarian real-estate name that benefits as borrowing costs fall.

Watch: Office occupancy and refinancing terms.

10) Flutter Entertainment (FLUT)

Sports-betting leader with improving U.S. market structure.

Watch: Regulatory developments.

11) Madison Square Garden Sports (MSGS)

An asset-value play tied to premium sports franchises.

Watch: Media rights cycles and strategic reviews.

E. AI Infrastructure — High Growth, High Volatility

12) Broadcom (AVGO)

Strong AI chip demand and a major backlog, but margin concerns remain.

Watch: Margin trajectory and customer mix.

Stocks Making Headlines — and What They Signal

• Oracle (ORCL): Big spike in AI capex projections rattled investors and reignited “AI bubble” fears.
• Lululemon (LULU): Shares jumped on new leadership and improved guidance — proof good fundamentals still win.
• MicroStrategy (MSTR): Possible Nasdaq index reshuffle could trigger significant fund outflows.

What Could Change the Market Next Week

Upcoming releases that could reshape the “best stocks to buy now” list:

• U.S. jobs report (Tuesday)
• CPI inflation data (Thursday)
• Additional delayed economic reports

Any surprise — hot inflation or weak jobs — could shift sentiment sharply.

How to Use This List Wisely

• Build around quality compounders that can weather volatility.
• Add value and defensive names to balance risk.
• Limit high-volatility AI infrastructure positions.
• Stagger entry points, given macro uncertainty.