4 Women-Run Company Stocks Showing Strong 2025 Gains

Corporate Leadership and Performance - The shift towards gender-diverse leadership is transforming corporate cultures and enhancing business performance across various sectors, including technology and healthcare [2][4] - Women-led firms are setting new benchmarks for strategic growth and operational excellence, often outperforming their industry peers [2][4] Case Studies of Women-Led Companies - American Water Works' Cheryl Norton has advanced infrastructure resilience and innovation, earning multiple leadership awards [3] - Apple's Deirdre O'Brien has significantly shaped the company's global retail presence and internal culture, overseeing flagship store expansions and community engagement programs [3] Financial Market Recognition - ESG-focused funds are increasingly prioritizing companies with women in executive roles, recognizing the value of gender-diverse leadership [4] - Women entrepreneurs own 42% of U.S. businesses, employing 9.4 million workers and generating $1.9 trillion in annual revenues [4] Funding Challenges for Women Entrepreneurs - Women-led startups receive only about 2% of venture capital funding in the U.S. and Europe, partly due to biases in the investment community [5] - Women entrepreneurs are less likely to seek financing, with only 25% pursuing loans compared to 33% of male business owners [5] Investment Opportunities in Women-Led Companies - Companies like Newmont Corporation, Ralph Lauren Corporation, Automatic Data Processing, Inc., and Casey's General Stores exemplify strong leadership and strategic vision, making them attractive investment opportunities [6] - Newmont's recent performance includes adjusted earnings per share of $1.43 and revenue of approximately $5.32 billion, with a record $1.7 billion in quarterly free cash flow [9][10] - Ralph Lauren reported a 14% year-over-year revenue increase, with an 8% uptick in North America, indicating growth potential under new leadership [13][14] - Automatic Data Processing achieved 7% revenue growth and 9% adjusted EPS growth in fiscal 2025, supported by a people-centric strategy [15][17] - Casey's reported $15.9 billion in revenues and $546.5 million in net income for fiscal 2025, reflecting strong operational execution [19][20]