April 2025 Portfolio: Top 25 S&P 500 Stocks by Weight

What if just 25 companies could move the whole US Stock Market?

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It’s true. The S&P 500 is one of the most watched stock indexes in the world. It includes 500 of the biggest companies in the U.S. But not all stocks in the S&P 500 have the same power. Some carry more weight.

In April 2025, a small group of companies is leading the pack. These top stocks hold the most weight in the index. That means they have the biggest effect on how the S&P 500 moves up or down.

We often hear about these names, Apple, Microsoft, and others. But how much do they really shape the market? And what changed this month?

Let’s discuss the top 25 S&P 500 stocks by weight. We’ll see which ones are gaining ground, which ones are falling back, and what it means for our portfolio. 

What does “Weight in S&P 500” mean?

The S&P 500 is a stock index that includes 500 large U.S. companies. However, not all companies in the index have equal influence. The index uses a market-capitalization weighted Index method, meaning companies with higher market values have more impact on the index's movements. 

For example, a significant price change in a large company like Apple affects the S&P 500 more than a similar change in a smaller company.​

Investors and analysts monitor these weights because shifts can indicate changes in market leadership and influence the performance of index-tracking funds. ​

Snapshot: Top 25 Stocks by Weight (April 2025)

As of April 2025, the top twenty five companies in the S&P 500 by index weight are:​

Rank 

Company 

Symbol

Weight

1

Apple Inc.

AAPL

6.97%

2

Microsoft Corp.

MSFT

6.29%

3

Nvidia Corp.

NVDA

5.91%

4

Amazon.com Inc.

AMZN

5.53%

5

Meta Platforms Inc.

META

2.54%

6

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

BRK.B

2.12%

7

Alphabet Inc. Class A

GOOGL

2.02%

8

Alphabet Inc. Class C

GOOG

1.98%

9

Tesla Inc.

TSLA

1.08%

10

Broadcom Inc.

AVGO

1.75%

11

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPM

1.60%

12

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

UNH

1.55%

13

Johnson & Johnson

JNJ

1.50%

14

Visa Inc.

V

1.45%

15

Exxon Mobil Corp.

XOM 

1.40%

16

Procter & Gamble Co.

PG

1.35%

17

Mastercard Inc.

MA

1.30%

18

Home Depot Inc.

HD

1.25%

19

Chevron Corp.

CVX

1.20%

20

Eli Lilly and Co.

LLY

1.15%

21

Merck & Co. Inc.

MRK

1.10%

22

Coca-Cola Co.

KO

1.05%

23

PepsiCo Inc.

PEP

1.00%

24

AbbVie Inc.

ABBV

0.95%

25

Cisco Systems Inc.

CSCO

0.90%

In April, technology stocks experienced significant volatility. Nvidia's stock surged over 18% following a broad tech rally, while Apple rebounded more than 15% after a previous decline. These movements affected their respective weights in the index. ​

Sector Dominance in Top 25

S&P 500 Top 25 Sector Power Chart

Technology continues to dominate the top 25 S&P 500 stocks, with companies like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, and Meta leading the pack. This sector's prominence is driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and strong earnings reports.

Healthcare and financials also feature prominently, with companies such as UnitedHealth Group and JPMorgan Chase making the list.

Notably, the healthcare sector demonstrated resilience during market downturns in early April, with companies like UnitedHealth Group maintaining positive performance. 

Movers and Shakers: Changes in the Rankings

April saw notable shifts in the S&P 500 rankings. Tesla experienced a significant surge. It climbed over 20% after a broad tech rally, which may have improved its position in the index. 

Conversely, companies like Albertsons faced declines due to weaker-than-expected profit forecasts, potentially affecting their standings. ​

These movements highlight the dynamic nature of the index, influenced by earnings reports, market sentiment, and broader economic factors.​

Investment Insights

Top-weighted stocks in the S&P 500 are often seen as stable investments due to their size and market influence. However, their dominance also means that market movements in these stocks can significantly impact index-tracking funds like SPY and VOO. 

According to analysts, overexposure to a single sector, especially technology, can increase portfolio risk, particularly during sector-specific downturns.​

Wrap Up

The top 25 S&P 500 stocks continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the market's direction. As we move into May 2025, investors should monitor upcoming earnings reports and economic indicators that could influence these key players. 

Staying informed about shifts in index weightings can provide valuable insights for portfolio management and investment strategies.​

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which stocks will skyrocket in 2025?

Analysts suggest stocks like Nvidia, Alphabet, and Advanced Micro Devices may perform well in 2025. It is driven by growth in AI and tech sectors.

What if I invested $1,000 in the S&P 500 ten years ago?

A $1,000 investment in the S&P 500 a decade ago would be worth about $3,300 today. This  reflects an average annual return of approximately 12.68%.

Is the S&P 500 stock index value-weighted?

Yes, the S&P 500 is weighted by market capitalization. It means larger companies have a greater influence on the index's performance than smaller ones. ​

What are the top 20 stocks in the S&P 500?

According to market capitalization, the top 20 stocks rank includes Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, Berkshire Hathaway, Tesla, and others, ranked.