Macquarie has named several Asian companies as its top picks for 2025, with their share prices forecast to rise by 50% to 80%. The selection covers a range of sectors, including technology, automotive, defense, and power utilities, reflecting the investment bank’s positive outlook on these industries for the coming year. The investment bank screened 25 companies with strong market positions, clear growth catalysts, solid financial fundamentals and poised to “prosper in the coming year”. The table below lists the six stocks with the most upside potential, and four of the six US YTL also trade in Malaysia’s YTL Power International, up 85% over the next 12 months, according to Macquarie. is the stock with the largest high capacity. The utility company, which operates gas, solar and coal-fired power stations as well as data centers for information technology companies in Southeast Asia, is expected to be a major beneficiary of the growing artificial intelligence trend. AI servers consume significantly more electricity than traditional computers, which is expected to increase demand for power generation. The stock also has momentum behind it, with gains of more than 50% so far this year. Kia Macquarie is also bullish on Korean automaker Kia, with the stock expected to rise 80% over the next 12 months. In addition to leading the trend in electric vehicles, Kia also has a “flexible business approach” that even produces its gasoline-powered vehicles to generate “higher-than-industry average profits,” according to the investment bank. is capable of Meanwhile, US and European carmakers are currently restructuring large parts of their businesses due to a slowdown in global sales, facing billions in losses. Tokyo Electron’s forecast for Japanese semiconductor equipment maker Macquarie stands out with a 67 percent upside potential. Tokyo Electron is well-positioned to take advantage of growing demand in artificial intelligence chipmaking, according to analysts at the bank. The company’s shares have fallen this year as concerns over US export controls have limited the company’s growth in China. SK Hynix Korean memory chip maker SK Hynix is another stock that is expected to see a 50% rise in its shares, driven by growing demand for AI memory chips. According to the bank, the company’s position in the semiconductor industry appears particularly strong as artificial intelligence applications drive demand for memory chips. It is currently the sole manufacturer of AI memory chips for Nvidia. Hanwha Aerospace Korean defense manufacturer Hanwha Aerospace is forecast to deliver a 55 percent return, according to Macquarie. The investment bank is particularly bullish on the company due to its “strong sales exposure in Europe” and “strong potential to grow sales in the Middle East and Southeast Asia”, while also noting that It maintains the “highest profitability among Korean defense partners.” Several European governments have pledged to increase defense spending during the war in Ukraine. Meituan Chinese technology and food delivery company Meituan is also among Macquarie’s top picks for 2025. Hong Kong-listed stocks are expected to rise 60 percent over the next 12 months. The company’s strong position in China’s digital economy and local services market reinforces Macquarie’s positive outlook. Stocks are also likely to benefit from any future stimulus measures announced by the Chinese government, the bank said.