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The S&P 500 eked out another gain in November, stringing together the seventh straight monthly gain. And some stocks put up some breathtaking rises.
If you invested $10,000 in January in the top-performing stock in the S&P 500 at the time and reinvested that in each month's top performer, including Albemarle (ALB) in November, you'd have $392,513 now, says an Investor's Business Daily analysis of data from S&P Global Market Intelligence and MarketSurge.
That's an impressive 11-month gain of 3,825%. It's quite a feat given the S&P itself is up just 16.5% so far this year. And the same $10,000 invested in the S&P 500 would be worth just $11,650 now. That's a gain of $1,650. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% in November, making it the eighth positive month this year since January.
Will The S&P 500 Sink In November?
Hindsight is 20-20. And, clearly, few if any investors could have picked the top stock in each of the past 11 months, as it's not a repeatable strategy. But the staggering numbers this year remind investors that amazing gains can be scooped up by diligent investors who keep buy lists handy for big leaders when the S&P 500 starts to hit highs.
In fact, in the seven-straight months of gains, the S&P 500 offered many ways to make money. Nearly 320 of the stocks in the S&P 500 rose during November. And of those, nine stocks jumped more than 20% in just one month.
Top S&P 500 Stock Of November: Albemarle
Competition was tough in November for which S&P 500 stock was No. 1. Albemarle was well positioned. The company is a miner of many materials that go into semiconductors. Albemarle rose 32.8% this month, marking the ninth-best monthly performance of any S&P 500 stock this year so far.
It marked the second time this year Albemarle was the top stock of the month in the S&P 500. Last month, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) was the top stock with a 57.6% rally.
Analysts think that Albemarle's earnings per share will rise 63% in 2025. And profit is seen shooting up 205% in 2026. This is not the time to buy the stock, though. The RS Rating is 94 and EPS Rating is 64, out of 99. But the stock is also well extended past its 200-day moving average.
The rest of the top 10 S&P 500 stocks in the 11th month of the year include a mixed bag of equities. Pharma Eli Lilly (LLY) shares gained 27% in November, putting them up 39% for the year. Health care play Solventum (SOLV) is also continuing to bounce. Shares of the chip gear maker rose 23% in November.
What's Coming Next For The S&P 500?
The big question, though, is: Will the S&P 500's winning ways continue in December? Historically, the odds are very good. November is typically the third-best month of the year for stocks.
December ranks third of all 12 months for S&P 500 performance going back to 1950, says the "Stock Trader's Almanac." The S&P 500 gains 1.4% in December on average. This year could disappoint. Shares are near all-time highs. Investors also have the risk of tariffs along with layoffs to contend with.
Following so many solid months for the S&P 500, investors hope for more gains. But at some point, the market might test its downside.
How To Turn $10,000 Into $392,513 In 11 Months
Month Top S&P 500 stock Symbol Monthly gain Sector S&P 500 monthly ch. Starting balance Cumulative value of $10,000 investment in January reinvested in best stock each month January Constellation Energy CEG 34.1% Utilities 2.7% $10,000 $13,410 February Super Micro Computer SMCI 45.4% Information Technology -1.4% $13,410 $19,498 March Dollar General DG 18.5% Consumer Staples -5.8% $19,498 $23,105 April Palantir Technologies PLTR 40.3% Information Technology -0.8% $23,105 $32,417 May NRG Energy NRG 42.3% Utilities 6.2% $32,417 $46,129 June Coinbase Global COIN 42.4% Financials 5.0% $46,129 $65,688 July Generac Holdings GNRC 35.9% Industrials 2.2% $65,688 $89,270 August Albemarle ALB 25.2% Communication Services 1.9% $89,270 $111,766 September Warner Bros. Discovery WBD 67.8% Communication Services 3.5% $111,766 $187,543 October Advanced Micro Devices AMD 57.6% Information Technology 2.0% $187,543 $295,567 November Albemarle ALB 32.9% Materials 0.4% $295,567 $392,513 Source: S&P Global Market IntelligenceYOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
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