According to Tural Aliyev, an analyst at Freedom Finance Global, in the face of trade uncertainty and muted forecasts for the S&P 500, investors are better off putting their money into «old and reliable stocks.»
Aliyev notes that Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025 has once again made trade policy a key lever influencing financial markets.
Despite the S&P 500 reaching historic highs, the market remains in a fragile balance, highlighting the importance of investment strategies focused on companies that serve as defensive assets.
According to Aliyev, such companies typically offer stable cash flows, moderate valuations and reliable dividend yields. Among the stocks that meet these criteria are UnitedHealth Group Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp. and Allstate Corp.
UnitedHealth Group Inc. is a leader in the U.S. health insurance and managed healthcare industry. Consensus estimates suggest the company’s stock has a growth potential of approximately 30%, or about 25% according to UBS. The company’s dividend yields around 1.5% annually and continues to grow at a double-digit rate. Aliyev notes that UnitedHealth remains one of the most attractive stocks in the sector for institutional investors.
Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) is a flagship of the U.S. defense industry and a primary contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense. Analysts’ average target price implies a +9% upside from current levels. Morgan Stanley considers LMT a top pick in the sector and does not rule out growth of up to 24%. The stock’s dividend yield stands at about 2.7%. According to Aliyev, Lockheed remains a key beneficiary of increased defense spending amid global instability.
Allstate Corp. is one of the largest U.S. insurers in the auto and property segments. Consensus forecasts suggest the stock has 17% growth potential from its current level. BofA also rates Allstate as a top value stock, projecting a 50% increase in share value.
The company has recovered from earlier losses due to natural disasters. In early 2025, Allstate increased its dividend by 8.7%, resulting in a yield of approximately 3%. With normalized loss levels and steady premium income, the company is positioned for above-average EPS growth and potential revaluation by the market, Aliyev adds.
In June 2025, Freedom Broker organized a non-deal roadshow for Venu Holding, the owner of concert venues and restaurants in Colorado, led by businessman Jay Roth. This marked the first such event for a U.S.-based company in Kazakhstan.
