Hey there! The stock market has been quite a ride lately, hasn’t it? After a couple of years of strong gains, 2025 has brought its share of ups and downs. We’ve seen moments of sharp drops – like the one triggered by new tariff announcements in April – followed by quick rebounds. It can feel a bit dizzying!
In times like these, it’s natural to look for signals. Which stocks are leading the pack? What are the top performers telling us about the market’s health and direction?
Let’s dive into the S&P 500’s leading stocks so far this year and explore what that list might mean for your own financial journey.
The S&P 500: A Quick Look Back and Into 2025
The S&P 500 index, which tracks 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the U.S., is often seen as a report card for the overall stock market and the economy. It had impressive gains in the last couple of years, which is exciting to see!
However, 2025 has introduced more volatility. Events like shifts in trade policy (yes, those tariffs we’ve been hearing about!) have caused market jitters. For instance, President Trump’s tariff plan announcement in early April led to a notable dip in stocks, though the market showed resilience and recovered some losses relatively quickly, partly on news of temporary tariff pauses and milder-than-expected inflation data in May. This kind of back-and-forth highlights the importance of understanding market dynamics beyond just the headlines.
Looking at which stocks have performed best over the past year could potentially show which companies have been resilient or have strong underlying growth drivers, even amidst this uncertainty.
2025’s Leading Stocks (So Far!)
Based on performance over the past year (as of May 12, 2025), here are some of the top companies in the S&P 500:
| Ticker | Company | 1-Year Performance | Year-to-Date (YTD) Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLTR | Palantir Technologies Inc | 444.94% | 55.35% |
| GEV | GE Vernova Inc | 150.59% | 24.94% |
| TPL | Texas Pacific Land Corp | 142.53% | 21.89% |
| AXON | Axon Enterprise Inc | 117.58% | 14.17% |
| TPR | Tapestry Inc | 116.93% | 29.44% |
| HWM | Howmet Aerospace Inc | 92.67% | 43.43% |
| NRG | NRG Energy Inc | 85.36% | 55.77% |
| NFLX | Netflix Inc | 83.95% | 25.78% |
| TSLA | Tesla Inc | 80.81% | -21.77% |
| PODD | Insulet Corporation | 77.85% | 19.60% |
| RCL | Royal Caribbean Group | 74.48% | 7.16% |
| FICO | Fair Isaac Corp | 71.90% | 8.05% |
| FTNT | Fortinet Inc | 67.04% | 5.42% |
| DASH | DoorDash Inc | 66.85% | 12.41% |
| PM | Philip Morris Intl. | 65.47% | 35.09% |
| VRSN | Verisign Inc | 65.04% | 34.42% |
| AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 64.31% | -6.07% |
| RL | Ralph Lauren Corp | 63.60% | 16.98% |
| DFS | Discover Financial Svc | 63.12% | 16.36% |
| FFIV | F5 Inc | 62.19% | 10.78% |
| VST | Vistra Corp | 61.96% | 4.78% |
| TKO | TKO Group Holdings Inc | 61.78% | 11.87% |
| FOX | Fox Corporation | 61.33% | 7.89% |
| WMT | Walmart Inc | 59.87% | 6.70% |
| FOXA | Fox Corporation | 59.74% | 9.04% |
Export to Sheets
(Source: Finviz, data as of May 12, 2025. This list is for informational purposes only.)
It’s interesting to see a variety of companies on this list, from technology like Palantir and Netflix to energy (NRG, VST), consumer discretionary (Tapestry, Ralph Lauren), and even retail giant Walmart. Notice that while their one-year performance is strong, their year-to-date performance in 2025 can be quite different, like Tesla (TSLA) which is down significantly this year despite strong one-year gains. This highlights how quickly things can change!
Why Past Performance Isn’t a Crystal Ball
Seeing a stock with massive gains like Palantir’s might make you think, “Should I buy it now?” But here’s a crucial point that experienced investors always remember: past performance is never a guarantee of future results.
A stock that did incredibly well over the last year might continue to climb, or it might already be “priced for perfection” and could pull back. Predicting which stocks will be the next big winners is incredibly difficult, even for financial professionals.
Finding the Right Stocks for Your Portfolio
This list of top performers is fascinating, but the “best” stock isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The right stocks for your portfolio depend entirely on your unique financial situation, goals, time horizon, and comfort level with risk.
- Are you young and investing for retirement decades away? You might be okay with higher-risk, potentially higher-reward growth stocks that could be volatile in the short term but offer significant long-term appreciation potential.
- Are you nearing or in retirement? You might prefer more stable companies, perhaps those that pay reliable dividends, focusing more on preserving capital and generating income rather than aggressive growth.
Understanding what you need from your investments is the first step, long before looking at any performance list.
Beyond the Headlines: Doing Your Homework
Identifying potential stocks for your portfolio involves more than just seeing who’s on top right now. Strategic investors look deeper by doing research:
- Fundamental Analysis: This is like getting to know the company itself. You look at their financials – how much money they make, their debt, their profits, their business model. You also consider the industry they’re in and how the overall economy (including things like tariffs!) might affect them.
- Technical Analysis: This involves looking at patterns and trends in a stock’s price history and trading volume to try and guess where it might go next.
This kind of research takes time and effort, but it helps you understand what you’re investing in and assess the potential risks and rewards beyond just past performance numbers.
Too Much Work? There’s a Simpler Way!
Let’s be honest: becoming an expert in analyzing individual company financials and market trends is a big commitment. That’s why many smart investors choose a simpler, often more effective path: Index Funds and ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds).
Instead of trying to pick the handful of winners out of hundreds of companies, index funds allow you to invest in many stocks at once, mimicking the performance of a specific market index like the S&P 500.
Why are they powerful?
- Instant Diversification: With one investment, you own tiny pieces of hundreds of companies across different industries. This dramatically reduces the risk compared to putting a large amount of money into just a few individual stocks. If one company struggles, it has a much smaller impact on your overall investment.
- Matches Market Performance: While they won’t “beat” the market (that’s not their goal), they aim to match it. Historically, indexes like the S&P 500 have delivered solid average annual returns over the long term.
- Lower Costs: Because they passively track an index rather than paying managers to actively pick stocks, index funds and ETFs typically have very low fees, which can save you a lot of money over decades of investing.
Think of it like owning a piece of the entire U.S. stock market, rather than trying to pick the single best store in the whole country. Many financial advisors recommend building the core of your investment portfolio using low-cost, diversified index funds.
Ready to Make Smarter Investment Choices?
Whether you’re intrigued by individual stock success stories or prefer the simplicity of index funds, understanding the basics of how the market works and how to choose investments that fit your life is key to building financial security.
Looking at lists of top performers is fun, but truly empowering your financial future comes from knowledge.
Want to learn how to navigate market news, understand different investment options, and build a portfolio that aligns with your personal goals?
Taking the time to educate yourself about investing is one of the most valuable investments you can make!
Important Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide financial advice. The performance data presented is historical and not indicative of future results. Investing in stocks and funds involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. The “best” investments are subjective and depend on individual circumstances. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.