OPINION: This article contains commentary which may reflect the author's opinion
A gain of nearly 27 percent in 2021 was among the best in recent memory for the S&P 500. Some stocks performed better than others this year for U.S. investors, but many of them did well.
This post is about the top 10 stock performers in the entire S&P 500 index for the year 2021.
1. Devon Energy
Oil prices and natural gas prices both hit multi-year highs in 2021, bringing along a significant recovery in the energy sector. The year 2021 was filled with plenty of big oil and gas winners, but Devon Energy, gaining 193.9 percent on the year, was the best performer in the entire S&P 500 index.
2. Marathon Oil
In a trend similar to those it has shown in the past, the fossil-fueled sector features among the top performers of the S&P 500 in 2021. Marathon Oil gained 145.1 percent on the year.
3. Fortinet
As a result of significant gains outside of energy companies, Fortinet, a cybersecurity leader, had the best performing stock among the top tech stocks for the year 2021.
4. Moderna
Having had a record-breaking year of gains in 2020, COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna had another record-breaking year in 2021, posting a 140.8 percent gain on its previous year.
5. Ford
While many electric car startups got a lot of attention and made a lot of headlines in 2021, Detroit’s legacy automaker Ford managed to post the best year of all, as it grew by 132.8 percent.
6. Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works topped its huge double-digit gain in 2020 by rising 131.9 percent in 2021, confirming investors’ belief that the retail sector will make a big comeback after the flu pandemic.
7. Nvidia
For the past decade, investors have been able to make easy money on semiconductor giant Nvidia, and this trend did not change in 2021. In fact, the semiconductor giant grew by another 126.6% during 2021.
8. Diamondback Energy
During the first half of 2021, Diamondback Energy, a Permian Basin exploration and production company, was buoyed by high oil and gas prices, earning 121.7 percent.
9. Nucor
The U.S. infrastructure bill, rising steel prices and a strong housing market send Nucor shares soaring 114 percent in 2021.
10. Gartner
Technology research and consulting company Gartner may be in a good position to capitalize on the pandemic, which forced many companies to rethink their businesses. This year, Gartner ranked 10th with a 107.7% gain, making them the top performer of 2021.
