Fear and uncertainty have dominated the markets in 2025, with U.S. equities entering a significant correction. What began as a cautious retreat in February, sparked by policy concerns and underwhelming performance from former market leaders and Magnificent Seven stocks, like Tesla and Alphabet, has now escalated into broader selling pressure. 

The latest blow came from the administration’s renewed push on tariffs, which have since led to further trade tensions with China and the European Union, triggering a steep drop in global equities.

Yet even as the broader market stumbles, a few individual names stand tall. As of Monday’s close, three stocks have emerged as the top-performing names in the S&P 500 year-to-date (YTD). Their relative strength during a turbulent time catches investors’ attention and raises the question: Can their outperformance continue?

Here are the three best-performing S&P 500 stocks in 2025:

CVS Health Corp +42.24% YTD

CVS has benefited from its defensive positioning in the healthcare sector. With strong cash flow and limited exposure to global supply chains, the company’s essential services model has proven resilient against inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainty.

Investors have also welcomed the leadership transition, with David Joyner stepping in as CEO in late 2024. His renewed focus on stabilizing Aetna’s operations and instilling financial discipline has resonated positively with the market.

In February, CVS delivered a Q4 earnings beat, reporting EPS of $1.19 versus estimates of $0.89, a 34% surprise. Analysts maintain a Moderate Buy rating on the stock, with a price target that suggests more than 10% upside from current levels.

Philip Morris International +25.66% YTD

The company has made significant strides in its transformation strategy, aiming to generate two-thirds of its revenue from smoke-free products like IQOS and ZYN by 2030. That vision is already paying off: Q4 earnings, reported in February, came in at $1.55 per share, beating estimates by $0.06, as strong performance in the smoke-free category lifted revenue.

Cencora Inc. +22.2% YTD

In third place is Cencora (NYSE:COR), a healthcare logistics and pharmaceutical distribution company. While less of a household name, Cencora has delivered outsized returns and sector-leading performance.

The stock has been trending steadily higher since 2021, recently hitting new all-time highs on Friday before pulling back slightly. As of Monday’s close, it remains just 7.4% off those highs.

Cencora’s latest earnings report in February showed a 12.8% year-over-year revenue increase to $81.5 billion, fueled by strong demand for specialty medicines, including GLP-1 drugs. EPS came in at $3.73, beating expectations and prompting management to raise full-year guidance to $15.25–$15.55.

The company’s $4.6 billion acquisition of Retina Consultants of America, expanding its presence in specialty healthcare, also boosted investor confidence as it enhanced Cencora’s growth prospects. Analysts are bullish, with a Moderate Buy rating and a recently raised price target from Wells Fargo, from $251 to $274, implying additional upside.

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