Navigating Market Volatility: Why AMZN, WMT, and V Are Top Buys Right Now

In an era of geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, and shifting consumer behaviors, investors are increasingly seeking resilient stocks that can weather uncertainty while delivering long-term growth. The TipRanks Smart Score—a proprietary metric that aggregates analyst ratings, insider transactions, and financial blogger sentiment—has emerged as a critical tool for identifying undervalued, high-conviction opportunities. This article examines why Amazon (AMZN), Walmart (WMT), and Visa (V) stand out as top buys in 2025, leveraging their Smart Scores and valuation fundamentals to navigate today's volatile markets.

Amazon (AMZN): A Growth Engine Amid Margin Pressures

Amazon's TipRanks Smart Score of 10 reflects its status as a “Strong Buy” with 45 out of 46 analyst endorsements. Despite challenges like declining AWS margins due to aggressive AI investments, the company's revenue growth remains robust. Trailing twelve-month (TTM) revenue hit $670.04 billion, with advertising revenue surging 23% year-over-year. Analysts project a 15.4% upside to $263.74, driven by e-commerce resilience and AWS's long-term potential.

Valuation metrics tell a nuanced story. While Amazon's P/E ratio of 35 and PEG ratio of 1.7 suggest a premium to growth, its EV/EBITDA of 18 lags behind its 10-year average by 30%, hinting at undervaluation relative to historical trends. Insider activity, however, is mixed: executives like Jeff Bezos and Douglas Herrington have sold millions in shares, raising questions about short-term confidence. Yet, these sales must be contextualized within broader portfolio diversification strategies, not necessarily bearish sentiment.

Walmart (WMT): The Retail Giant's Cost Leadership Edge

Walmart's Smart Score of 10 is underpinned by its “Strong Buy” consensus from all 29 covering analysts. With a 18.54% upside potential to $113.89, the stock benefits from its cost leadership, expanding e-commerce footprint, and 31% year-over-year operating income growth. The company has beaten earnings estimates 75% of the time in the past 12 months, a testament to its operational discipline.

Valuation metrics paint an even more compelling picture. Walmart's P/E of 34 and PEG of 0.3 suggest it's significantly undervalued relative to its growth. Its EV/EBITDA of 1.62 times the TTM average and 22.52% above the 5-year average indicate a valuation that's trending upward but still lags behind its long-term performance. Insider transactions, however, reveal a different dynamic: the Walton Family Holdings Trust sold $96.8 million in shares over two days in August 2025, signaling strategic divestments rather than pessimism.

Visa (V): Digital Payments' Unstoppable Force

Visa's Smart Score of 10 and “Strong Buy” rating from 19 of 22 analysts underscore its dominance in the digital payments sector. With a 13% upside to $398.00, the stock benefits from cross-border transaction growth and AI-driven innovation. Despite a P/E of 34.15 and PEG of 2.23—suggesting a premium to earnings growth—Visa's EV/EBITDA of 24.97 remains within industry norms, and its forward P/E of 28.23 reflects optimism about future earnings.

Insider activity for Visa is less pronounced, with no major sales reported in the past six months. This lack of selling pressure, combined with its leadership in a $10 trillion global payments market, positions Visa as a defensive play in uncertain times.

Why These Stocks Excel in Volatile Markets

The TipRanks Smart Score's integration of insider transactions and analyst sentiment provides a holistic view of these stocks' fundamentals. Amazon's growth in AI and cloud computing, Walmart's cost efficiency, and Visa's digital innovation all align with macroeconomic tailwinds. While valuation metrics vary—Amazon trades at a premium to growth, Walmart at a discount—both offer compelling risk-reward profiles. Visa, meanwhile, balances defensive qualities with high-growth potential.

Investment Takeaway

For investors seeking to hedge against volatility, AMZN, WMT, and V represent a diversified basket of high-conviction buys. Amazon's long-term innovation, Walmart's operational resilience, and Visa's market leadership in digital payments make them well-positioned to outperform. As TipRanks' Smart Score highlights, these stocks are not just undervalued—they're poised to redefine their industries in a post-pandemic world.

In conclusion, leveraging data-driven tools like TipRanks' Smart Score allows investors to cut through market noise and focus on companies with strong fundamentals, growth trajectories, and insider confidence. As global uncertainty persists, AMZN, WMT, and V offer a roadmap to navigate volatility with conviction.