This eclectic list speaks to some of the hottest investment themes of the year. So let’s get straight into the five and why a couple in particular still look like excellent values.
It’s no surprise that artificial intelligence (AI) is a major theme, represented by Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR), a company that develops software systems for AI and big data analytics, and AI architecture company Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA).
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. See the 10 stocks »
Law enforcement technology company Axon Enterprise (NASDAQ: AXON) made the list through its impressive growth, the launch of new Tasers and body cameras, and adoption by law enforcement agencies.
Company
Return in 2024
Market Cap
Palantir Technologies
340.5%
$157.7 billion
Vistra
257.9%
$59.2 billion
Nvidia
171.2%
$3.27 trillion
United Airlines
135.3%
$34.9 billion
Axon Enterprise
130.1%
$45.3 billion
Data source: Finviz.com
Vistra (NYSE: VST) also benefited from the boom in AI applications, as data center companies signed deals to procure nuclear energy. They did so because nuclear power is carbon-free (helping data centers and cloud companies meet their emissions goals) and reliable.
That’s music to the ears of Vistra, which cheered the market by acquiring more nuclear power capacity in 2024. Investors eagerly await updates on whether it will sign a deal with a cloud services company, although news of a fire at its California battery plant briefly sent shares sharply lower on Jan. 17.
Image source: Getty Images.
Last on this list of the top five performers in 2024 is an old-economy stock, United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL). The airline industry dispelled fears of a slowdown in 2024 and appears to be behaving in a more disciplined manner concerning cutting capacity when necessary. Moreover, with corporate and trans-Atlantic travelers returning strongly entering 2025 (two areas of particular strength for United Airlines), the stock has every opportunity to outperform in 2025.
Before you buy stock in Vistra, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Vistra wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $843,960!*
Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.
*Stock Advisor returns as of January 13, 2025
Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Axon Enterprise, Nvidia, and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
—
Blog powered by G6
Disclaimer! A guest author has made this post. G6 has not checked the post. its content and attachments and under no circumstances will G6 be held responsible or liable in any way for any claims, damages, losses, expenses, costs or liabilities whatsoever (including, without limitation, any direct or indirect damages for loss of profits, business interruption or loss of information) resulting or arising directly or indirectly from your use of or inability to use this website or any websites linked to it, or from your reliance on the information and material on this website, even if the G6 has been advised of the possibility of such damages in advance.
For any inquiries, please contact [email protected]
