Wall Street sinks—but these 25 stocks soared as Trump’s tariffs triggered panic selling

Despite Wall Street facing a broad-based decline on April 8, 2025, driven by renewed geopolitical and economic tensions, a select group of stocks defied the trend, recording substantial gains across healthcare, defense, energy, and biotech sectors. The U.S. stock market, led by sharp losses in tech and consumer discretionary, saw major indices fall steeply—signaling a wave of risk aversion. Yet, the standout performances of Agilon Health, Humana, AeroVironment, and Carvana highlight the underlying sectoral divergence that continues to shape investor sentiment in 2025.

Markets were rattled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that a 104% tariff on Chinese goods would take effect at midnight, stoking fears of a renewed trade war with global ramifications. The S&P 500 dropped 1.6%, the Nasdaq Composite declined 2.1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.9%, as capital rotated away from high-growth tech names into more defensive plays. However, certain stocks not only held ground—they rallied convincingly.

How did healthcare stocks become a safe haven during April’s volatility?

Healthcare stocks emerged as a clear safe-haven amid the broader selloff. Agilon Health, Inc. surged 26.12% to $5.36, making it the top-performing U.S. stock on April 8. The company, which delivers value-based primary care for seniors, is increasingly seen as a beneficiary of demographic trends and a policy environment that favours managed care over fee-for-service models. While its stock price has declined significantly over the past year, the latest rally may reflect renewed investor interest following indications that Agilon’s operating losses are stabilising and partnerships with physician groups are expanding.

Humana Inc. also delivered a double-digit rally, rising 10.69% to $281.95. The insurer had been under pressure earlier in 2025 due to disappointing enrolment numbers in its Medicare Advantage plans. However, recent restructuring efforts and cost-management strategies appear to have reassured investors. With an ageing population and federal support for Medicare-based programs unlikely to wane, Humana remains strategically positioned, even as policy risks around reimbursement rates persist.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated rose 5.41% to $553.08, building on a strong start to the year. With diversified operations spanning insurance, pharmacy benefits, and data-driven care delivery, UnitedHealth is increasingly viewed as a bellwether for healthcare stability during periods of economic or political disruption.

Alignment Healthcare, Inc. climbed 6.34% to $18.95, extending its remarkable rebound in 2025. Having nearly tripled year-to-date, the company’s tech-enabled approach to senior care delivery has gained traction with investors seeking scalable, cost-effective healthcare platforms.

CVS Health Corporation also gained 5.92% to close at $67.63. The integrated healthcare company, which combines retail pharmacy, PBM, and insurance operations, continues to shift focus toward digital services and preventative care—strategies seen as inflation-resilient and less vulnerable to tariff-driven cost pressures.

What drove defense and aerospace stocks higher amid geopolitical tension?

Defense and aerospace names also performed strongly on April 8, reflecting investor appetite for exposure to national security and allied preparedness in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical landscape. AeroVironment, Inc. jumped 6.75% to $121.03. As a leading provider of unmanned aerial systems and tactical missile systems, AeroVironment stands to benefit from expanded U.S. and NATO military procurement, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Saab AB (publ) advanced 6.23% to $19.61, while Leonardo S.p.A. added 4.24% to reach $22.38. Both companies are considered integral to regional defense initiatives and have been recipients of large contracts tied to NATO-led joint development programs.

Loar Holdings Inc., a relatively new entrant in the public markets, rose 4.79% to $75.29. Specializing in niche aerospace components, the company’s stock has climbed over 54% since its IPO, boosted by robust institutional demand and expectations of long-term contracts with military suppliers.

Why are investors returning to coal, infrastructure, and industrials?

Even as global leaders reaffirm commitments to decarbonisation, coal remains in play due to energy security considerations and ongoing steel production demand. Warrior Met Coal, Inc. rose 6.29% to $43.44. The company, a major supplier of metallurgical coal, may be regaining favour as analysts project stronger global steel output in the second half of 2025. Although Warrior shares have declined nearly 30% year-to-date, bargain-hunting amid rising spot prices could explain the April 8 surge.

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. gained 4.34% to $113.83, amid continued investor optimism around U.S. infrastructure spending. With multi-year contracts tied to road, bridge, and civil construction projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Sterling represents a long-duration play on America’s physical renewal—especially in regions affected by extreme weather and outdated logistics networks.

What explains the biotech rally despite market jitters?

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. leapt 11.35% to $19.82, despite a challenging year in which the company lost over 96% of its market value. Speculative momentum, driven by retail traders and algorithmic trading activity, appears to be behind the jump. The firm’s pipeline includes treatments for central nervous system disorders and long COVID—high-risk but potentially high-reward propositions that attract attention in volatile markets.

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. posted a 5.04% gain to $57.73. The biotech company, which develops rare genetic obesity therapies, has benefited from strong clinical trial data and heightened demand for obesity treatment stocks following industry-wide revaluations sparked by GLP-1 innovations.

Are foreign stocks gaining U.S. investor attention during the downturn?

Several international stocks traded on U.S. exchanges gained traction on April 8. Japan’s Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. rose 5.60% to $9.80, while Hitachi, Ltd. gained 4.96% to $19.88. A weakening yen and stronger-than-expected economic data from Japan’s manufacturing sector likely supported these moves. Olympus Corporation added 5.20%, while Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. rose 5.13%, benefiting from investor search for stability in global financials.

Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd., operating at the intersection of crypto and finance, added 6.21% to $9.24, despite ongoing regulatory uncertainty around digital asset custody and trading platforms. The move may reflect bargain buying after a recent correction.

What signals are bond markets and economists sending after April’s tariff shock?

The April 8 rally in select stocks stands in stark contrast to macroeconomic sentiment, which remains cautious. Bond yields fell as investors fled to safety, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dipping below 3.9%—suggesting concerns over the potential deflationary impact of new tariffs. Analysts are increasingly warning that the escalating trade war could pressure margins for companies dependent on imported goods, particularly in electronics, apparel, and machinery.

Goldman Sachs reiterated its view that sectors tied to domestic consumption and services—like healthcare, utilities, and defense—are best positioned for outperformance during periods of global volatility. However, they noted that tariff-induced inflationary effects could complicate the Federal Reserve’s already delicate balancing act between price stability and economic growth.

As Wall Street grapples with the ramifications of renewed trade hostilities, investors appear to be seeking refuge in segments of the market that offer either defensive characteristics or long-term growth tied to government-backed spending and demographic tailwinds. The April 8 gainers list underscores the complex dynamics at play—where economic anxiety can fuel not just a selloff, but also a realignment of investor priorities.

While tech-heavy indices and high-beta sectors may continue to struggle under the weight of policy shifts, companies with structural demand drivers, regulatory insulation, or government contracts could remain relative outperformers in a turbulent 2025.