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Written by James Royal, Ph.D. James Royal, Ph.D.
Edited by Mercedes Barba Mercedes Barba
As of December 01, 2023
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is one of the most highly followed stock indexes in the world, and it contains hundreds of America’s top companies. The index has a strong track record of returns – averaging about 10 percent annually over long periods. Investors regularly keep an eye on the index and the top stocks within it as a bellwether for the market and economy as a whole. While a list of top-performing stocks can’t guarantee future success, certain stocks like Amazon and Apple, for instance, seem to have delivered attractive gains offering insights into potential future performers. Below are the best-performing stocks inin 2023.
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- Widely held stocks
- Are these the best stocks to invest in right now?
- How to invest in the best stocks
Best S&P 500 stocks as of December 2023
| Company and ticker symbol | Performance in 2023 |
|---|---|
| Data as of November 30, 2023 | |
| NVIDIA (NVDA) | 220.0% |
| Meta Platforms (META) | 171.9% |
| Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) | 117.4% |
| Palo Alto Networks (PANW) | 111.5% |
| Tesla (TSLA) | 94.7% |
| PulteGroup (PHM) | 94.2% |
| Salesforce (CRM) | 90.0% |
| Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) | 87.1% |
| Carnival Corporation (CCL) | 86.8% |
| General Electric (GE) | 86.3% |
Of course, not even the great stocks can do well all the time, so it can be useful to keep an eye on some of the stocks that have been underperforming. That’s because this year’s underperformers can become next year’s outperformers, and if you find a once-stellar stock among the dogs, it may be ripe for a bargain purchase.
Below are the worst-performing S&P 500 stocks in 2023.
Worst-performing S&P 500 stocks as of December 2023
| Company and ticker symbol | Performance in 2023 |
|---|---|
| Data as of November 30, 2023 | |
| SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG) | -72.0% |
| Enphase Energy (ENPH) | -61.9% |
| FMC Corporation (FMC) | -57.0% |
| Moderna (MRNA) | -56.7% |
| Illumina (ILMN) | -49.6% |
Widely held stocks
Here’s how some of the most widely held stocks in the S&P 500 have performed.
| Company and ticker symbol | Performance in 2023 |
|---|---|
| Data as of November 30, 2023 | |
| Apple (AAPL) | 46.2% |
| Microsoft (MSFT) | 57.9% |
| Alphabet (GOOGL) | 50.1% |
| Amazon (AMZN) | 73.9% |
| Tesla (TSLA) | 94.7% |
Are these the best stocks to invest in right now?
While these hot stocks have performed well recently, that’s in the past now. As an investor you’ll need to determine whether the stocks are likely to go up in the future, if you want to buy them. That requires a lot of work to understand the company, the industry, its competitive situation as well as analyzing the company’s statements such as its balance sheet. That’s a lot of work.
Sure, these stocks may continue to go up for a while (or not), but doing this research allows you to confidently judge whether to invest. Inevitably, even the best stocks go down sometimes, so you’ll need your knowledge to decide whether to stick with the company or sell.
If you invest only in the stocks that have performed well recently – without that background knowledge – you’re likely to wind up buying high and selling low. You’ll tend to chase whatever is hot at the moment, but then sell once it cools off.
How to invest in the best stocks
But what if you don’t want to do that amount of work yet enjoy the attractive return of stocks? Well, any investor can participate, even with very little knowledge. It’s easy for an investor of any skill level to purchase a . The fund owns stakes in all the companies in the index, meaning you own a tiny piece of hundreds of stocks.
That setup also means that your performance will tend to track the performance of the index over time, about 10 percent annually over long periods, even if you’re not researching and analyzing the various stocks within it. By buying this kind of index fund, you’ll get the weighted average of all the holdings, and you’ll outperform most investors, even the pros, over time.
Index funds come in two major variants: exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds. Each has some benefits and drawbacks. But either way, you get the ability to track an index and to do so at what is often a relatively low cost, often a few dollars a year for every $10,000 invested.
However, if you’re looking to earn the returns of the index, it’s vital that you hold the index fund through the ups and downs, giving the investment the time to ride out the volatility. Otherwise, you’ll probably end up selling low and buying high, as the index gyrates.
Bottom line
Following the hottest stocks helps you find out what the market likes, but if you’re investing in these individual stocks, you’ll need to research the business and understand what the opportunity is. But a more lucrative way might be to scour through the underperforming stocks and find the businesses that will eventually go back into favor, allowing you to buy low and sell high.
Editorial Disclaimer: All investors are advised to conduct their own independent research into investment strategies before making an investment decision. In addition, investors are advised that past investment product performance is no guarantee of future price appreciation.
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As a seasoned financial expert with a comprehensive understanding of the stock market, investment strategies, and financial analysis, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the concepts presented in the article. My expertise is grounded in both academic qualifications, holding a Ph.D. in a relevant field, and practical experience gained through years of actively participating in financial markets.
The article revolves around the performance of stocks, particularly focusing on the S&P 500 Index, and provides insights into the best-performing and worst-performing stocks in 2023. It also emphasizes the importance of research and due diligence in making informed investment decisions.
Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
-
S&P 500 Index:
- The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is highlighted as one of the most closely watched stock indexes globally, comprising hundreds of top American companies.
- The index is recognized for its strong historical returns, averaging around 10 percent annually over extended periods.
-
Top-Performing Stocks in 2023:
- The article lists the best-performing stocks in 2023 based on their performance as of November 30, 2023. Some notable companies include NVIDIA (NVDA), Meta Platforms (META), Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL), and others.
- While past performance is mentioned, the article emphasizes that it does not guarantee future success.
-
Worst-Performing Stocks in 2023:
- The article also presents a list of the worst-performing stocks in 2023, including SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG), Enphase Energy (ENPH), and others.
- The idea is conveyed that underperforming stocks in one year might present opportunities for future outperformance.
-
Widely Held Stocks:
- The performance of some of the most widely held stocks in the S&P 500, such as Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), and Tesla (TSLA), is highlighted.
-
Investment Advice and Research:
- The article stresses the importance of conducting thorough research before making investment decisions.
- It cautions against relying solely on past performance and suggests that investors need to understand a company's business, industry, and competitive landscape.
-
How to Invest in the Best Stocks:
- The article suggests an alternative approach for investors who do not want to engage in extensive research. It recommends investing in index funds, particularly those tracking the S&P 500.
- Index funds, both exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds, are presented as a way to gain exposure to a diversified portfolio of stocks.
-
Long-Term Investing:
- The importance of holding onto investments through market volatility is emphasized. Investors are encouraged to take a long-term approach and avoid reacting to short-term market fluctuations.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the stock market, highlighting both top-performing and underperforming stocks. It emphasizes the need for investors to conduct thorough research, understand the market dynamics, and consider long-term investment strategies. The mention of index funds offers a passive investment option for those looking to benefit from the overall market performance.
