The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500) is a widely followed stock index that consists of America’s top companies. Investors often use the index as a gauge for the overall market and economy. While past performance is not indicative of future results, tracking the best-performing stocks in the S&P 500 may provide insights into potential future performers. Similarly, monitoring underperforming stocks can help identify opportunities for bargain purchases. This article highlights the top-performing and worst-performing stocks in the S&P 500 as of July 2023.
Best-Performing Stocks in the S&P 500
The following table presents the best-performing stocks in the S&P 500 in 2023:
| Company and Ticker Symbol | Performance in 2023 |
|---|---|
| NVIDIA (NVDA) | 189.5% |
| Meta Platforms (META) | 138.5% |
| Carnival Corporation (CCL) | 133.6% |
| Tesla (TSLA) | 112.5% |
| Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) | 109.9% |
| Palo Alto Networks (PANW) | 83.1% |
| Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NLCH) | 77.9% |
| Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) | 75.9% |
| PulteGroup (PHM) | 70.6% |
| General Electric (GE) | 68.0% |
Data as of June 30, 2023
Worst-Performing Stocks in the S&P 500
The following table presents the worst-performing stocks in the S&P 500 in 2023:
| Company and Ticker Symbol | Performance in 2023 |
|---|---|
| Advance Auto Parts (AAP) | -52.2% |
| KeyCorp (KEY) | -47.0% |
| Zions Bancorporation (ZION) | -45.4% |
| Enphase Energy (ENPH) | -36.8% |
| Comerica (CMA) | -36.6% |
Data as of June 30, 2023
Performance of Widely Held Stocks
Here’s how some of the most widely held stocks in the S&P 500 have performed in 2023:
| Company and Ticker Symbol | Performance in 2023 |
|---|---|
| Apple (AAPL) | 49.3% |
| Microsoft (MSFT) | 42.0% |
| Alphabet (GOOGL) | 35.7% |
| Amazon (AMZN) | 55.2% |
| Tesla (TSLA) | 112.5% |
Data as of June 30, 2023
Investing in the S&P 500
Investing in individual stocks requires significant research and analysis. However, investors of all skill levels can participate by purchasing an index fund based on the S&P 500. These funds provide exposure to all the companies in the index, allowing investors to own a small portion of hundreds of stocks. Over time, the performance of the index tends to average around 10% annually. Index funds, such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds, offer a cost-effective way to track the index.
To benefit from the index’s returns, it’s crucial to hold the index fund through market fluctuations to avoid selling low and buying high. By doing so, investors can outperform most professionals over time.
Conclusion
Following the best-performing stocks can provide insights into market trends, while exploring underperforming stocks may uncover potential opportunities. However, investing in individual stocks requires thorough research. Alternatively, investing in S&P 500 index funds offers a simpler and cost-effective way to participate in the market’s returns. As with any investment, it’s important to conduct independent research and understand the risks involved.
Editorial Disclaimer: All investors are advised to conduct their own independent research into investment strategies before making an investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future price appreciation.
