The market is swinging back into the positive after plummeting earlier this year, but it looks like a tentative rise. Investors want to be confident, but there's plenty of economic uncertainty right now, and the S&P 500 is reflecting that, up only 3%.
But there are many companies displaying extraordinary resilience under pressure, and their stock prices are reflecting that, too. Coca-Cola (KO -0.78%), Dutch Bros (BROS -2.61%), and MercadoLibre (MELI 0.48%) are all soaring this year, and I think they are still all stocks to buy without hesitation.
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1. Coca-Cola: The Buffett favorite
Coca-Cola stock is up 14% this year, beating the market with its safety, value, and dividend. Investors know that when there's economic volatility, Coca-Cola is likely to stay the course and remain stable. It has an excellent business selling beverages that its customers love, and because they're not luxury products, they will continue to buy under pressure. It has strong pricing power and has been able to increase prices to offset a rise in costs. It's also taking many other actions to generate engagement and increase sales.
Its market-leading business and global brand name are features that are prized by investing legend Warren Buffett, and Coca-Cola is his longest-held stock. The current circumstances give investors a deeper understanding of why Buffett loves it so much. It's also getting an extra boost because it's well protected against the negative impact of tariffs since most of its production is local.
Coca-Cola is a Dividend King, and it has increased its dividend for the past 63 years straight. It's as reliable as dividend stocks come, and there are few stocks that have a better track record. It also has an attractive yield, which is 2.9% at the current price.
Coca-Cola stock isn't a perpetual market beater, but it's an excellent choice for a value stock that pays reliable passive income, and if you're looking to fill that slot in your portfolio, Coca-Cola is a great candidate.
2. Dutch Bros: The new name in coffee
Dutch Bros is a relatively young coffee shop chain that's in high-growth mode. It recently surpassed 1,000 stores, about double from its initial public offering (IPO) four years ago, and it's planning to double again by 2020. Longer-term, it sees the opportunity to open 7,000 stores across the country. It recently raised that outlook from 4,000, and as it expands successfully, it could raise that again.
The company uses a model that fits today's coffee consumer. Most of its stores are exclusively drive-thru, but as it opens new ones at a high rate, it's curating its real estate to meet demand in each location. It offers a menu of beverages at a lower price point than some of its competition, which is important in today's environment, and it's experimenting with its food menu to boost sales. It only recently rolled out a mobile membership program, and it's already seeing strong results.
Dutch Bros stock is up 32% this year as it continues to report high growth and increasing profits. Sales were up 29% year over year in the 2025 first quarter, with a 4.7% increase in same-store sales, while net income rose from $16.2 million to $22.5 million.
I don't think Dutch Bros is a stock for the most risk-averse investors, but if you have some appetite for risk and a long timeline, it could be a great addition to your portfolio.
3. MercadoLibre: The international superstar
MercadoLibre is a powerhouse e-commerce company serving the Latin American region, and it reports consistently high growth. It's expanding in many areas, it has a first-mover's edge in most of its products, and the opportunity is still massive.
In the 2025 first quarter, revenue increased 64% year over year (currency neutral). Gross merchandise volume was up 40% over last year, driven by new active customers, which increased 25%, higher engagement across categories, and a push into the supermarket category, which has a higher repeat purchase rate.
E-commerce is still underpenetrated in its operating regions at about 14%. It's about a decade behind the U.S., which has 29% e-commerce penetration, giving it a long growth runway.
It's also a leader in fintech services, which promote engagement on the e-commerce platform. Total payment volume increased 72% year over year in the first quarter, and it now has more than 64 million monthly active users, a 31% increase over last year. The credit portfolio, which includes credit cards and other products, increased 75% year over year.
MercadoLibre has an added attraction right now because, as a non-U.S.-based company, it doesn't have much exposure to tariffs.
MercadoLibre stock is up 44% this year, and it's an excellent choice for just about any portfolio.
