20 Most Impressive Stocks of 2021 (And What to Do With Them)
You’ve probably noticed: despite economic, health, and social headlines, the Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average have all outperformed expectations this year.
And being the observant investor you are, you’ve also probably noticed something else: a few stocks in particular have gone completely bonkers.
We’ve noticed, too.
Because at DonateStock, we know that appreciated stocks exponentially benefit both donors and nonprofits when benevolent (and strategic) investors avoid capital gains tax on stock by giving shares to the charities they believe in. If you want to maximize your giving, then gifting stock is one of the best tactics you can use.
Here are 20 of the hottest publicly-traded stocks of 2021, what made them soar, and why you should consider donating them.
#1. Moderna (NYSE:MRNA)
The year’s favorite healthcare stock, Moderna, has seen a 199% increase, which under any other circumstances would be too impressive to believe. Donating this stock would benefit both you and the gift’s nonprofit recipient.
#2. Wells Fargo
Another financial services challenger is the ever-watched traditional banking behemoth, Wells Fargo. With an expected year-over-year 85.7% gain, investors are both applauding this brand’s stellar 2021 while speculating about what’s to come. With Financials on a tear, it’s a great time to lock in gains by donating stock to charity.
#3. Atlassian Corporation PLC (NASDAQ:TEAM)
Atlassian is doing more than riding the tide of tech stock growth: they’re making waves. Their impressive 68.8% year-to-date stock gains make the collaboration software publisher a team-wide win. To share the winnings, think about donating TEAM stock this Q4.
#4. Simon Property Group (NYSE:SPG)
In December, 2020, Kiplinger reporters warned that since this stock would be a 2021 dud, investors should run away from it. And the Kiplinger team knows their stuff.
But with SPG, they couldn’t have been more wrong.
Ten months and an eye-popping 58% increase later, SPG is a stellar stock to have – or better yet, funnel a SPG stock gift to the charity of your choice.
#5. Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS)
Up 48.9% from the year’s start, GS has grown in both investment banking revenues asset management, delighting investors throughout 2021. The growth isn’t surprising in retrospect – just look at the year’s M&A and private equity activity. Thing is, no one could have known the year would see such a frothy period.
#6. Restoration Hardware (NYSE:RH)
Experts at Seeking Alpha compared RH’s stock with competitors Williams-Sonoma and Wayfair, and the numbers don’t lie:
Source: Bradley Guichard via Seeking Alpha
The brand’s 45.9% yearly return (so far!) has journalists and investors tittering for what’s to come.
#7. American Express (NYSE:AXP)
American Express has enjoyed a 44% increase since the start of this year, regaining all the momentum it lost in 2020 (and then some). While staying true to its baby boomer and Gen-X base, the legacy brand has begun targeting younger people with creative, competitive perks.
#8. Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Yet another great year (so far) for Microsoft. The commercial and enterprise software publisher’s creative M&A strategies have contributed to the brand’s rise (a 32.9% YTD increase and a whopping 407% gain in the last 5 years). Best of all, a dividend-buyback combo announced recently could push it even higher before year’s end.
#9. Raytheon Technologies (NYSE:RTX)
Aerospace player Raytheon created Raytheon Technologies in 2020, and at the time, many commentators predicted the stock’s value would soar (no pun intended).
And it has – To the tune of 27% just this year (and 53% since 2016). With over 195,000 brilliant and motivated minds, this group is sure to continue transforming the A&D industry. Who knows – if you donate RTX stock today, your receiving nonprofit may benefit for years to come.
#10. Snap-On Inc. (NYSE:SNA)
Another Kiplinger phoenix that was supposed to flop? Snap-On Inc., not to be (but yes, often) confused with social media platform SnapChat (NYSE:SNAP).
Overleveraged and underappreciated in the beginning of this year, Kiplinger’s discouraging prediction was supposed to materialize – but it never did. Today SNA sits nicely at a cool 23.9% year-to-date gain, and a 38% increase since 2016. Donate it to delight your favorite nonprofit. (They’ll think it’s a social media dear-ears filter.)
#11. Shopify, Inc. (NYSE:SHOP)
Small business software and services provider Shopify has crushed 2021 expectations, earning itself a 23.0% stock value increase. If you think that’s impressive, compare it with the 3,135% gain it’s earned in the last 5 years. The ecommerce enabler has struggled to prove consistent profitability, spooking long term investors – until now. Today, the brand continues to innovate both hardware and software solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.
#12. General Electric (NYSE:GE)
Outperforming the S&P 500 since precisely the time we were all making New Year’s Resolutions is GE, America’s favorite old comeback stock. With its 22.8% YTD gains (and 47% in the last two years), this one’s a stock every investor should consider donating in Q4.
#13. Netflix (NYSE:NFLX)
Did you (like the rest of us) fear that the end of shelter-in-place orders would stymie the growth of Netflix’s meteoric 2020? Thankfully for NFLX investors, that didn’t happen. While the stock has scored a 17.6% increase so far this year, it’s up 600% over the past 5 years. Consider donating this stock to charity this year.
#14. ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW)
You can’t credit this stock’s industry for its impressive 2021 run, although it’s tempting. While enterprise workflow automation is a hot collective sector, it’s nothing compared to the 17.2% YTD increase NOW is savoring alone, and its white-hot 716% gains since 2016. Plus, analysts predict the stock will continue to climb, making it an even more powerful gift this quarter.
#15. Advanced Micro Devices Inc (NASDAQ:AMD)
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) share prices “could” cross the $100 mark, commentators speculated back in July. Today, the stock hovers around $106 and shows no sign of weakness. This company’s 17.2% YTD increase (and 1,618% 5-year appreciation) is partly fueled by increased demand, and partly by a healthy gap in increasing operating expenses and revenue.
#16. PayPal Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:PYPL)
Consumer fintech player PayPal has had a great 5-year run, sporting a 504% increase. This year alone the brand has continued to attract and impress investors by producing a 13.9% increase and making it another great asset to donate. The managed payment system saw millions of new users during the pandemic and investors note the brand’s creative efforts to keep those users engaged.
#17. Charter Communications (NYSE:CHTR)
Broadband communications service provider Charter Communications has outperformed expectations this year with a nice 12.8% gain. That’s partly because in the last twelve months, the company’s EBIT grew 33%. The good year fueled the stock’s ongoing 5-year streak, which so far has seen a 175% gain. Analysts warn though, that this company’s debt may be worth watching.
#18. Tesla (NYSE:TSLA)
Whether you love the founder, hate the founder, or something in between, Tesla’s stock reflects a great 2021. The brand had a few headline-making moments this year that helped produce a 11.6% year-to-date increase, and a 1,945% 5-year increase. Those gains make this one a great stock to donate.
#19. Comcast Corp (NASDAQ:CMCSA)
More diversified than its competitors Charter and Altice, CMCSA owns media and entertainment heavyweights NBCUniversal and Sky (a UK-based firm). The brand’s 2021 moves earned it a 10.2% market increase (in the context of a 69% gain since 2016), making it a strong choice when deciding which stocks to donate this season.
#20. Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE)
With revenue increases like this, it’s no wonder Nike makes the list of well-performing 2021 stocks:
Source: Statista
Analysts credit Nike’s improving margins and emphasis on digital experiences for the revenue increases and subsequent stock value gains. While many manufacturers and retailers struggled to recover from the pandemic, Nike’s running strong with a so-far YTD increase of 7.78%. And in the last 5 years, Nike has gained 204%, solidifying its upward trajectory.
It’s Stocktoberfest. We’re donating stocks – and you should, too.
Have you heard? Stocktoberfest is in full swing around here. To celebrate, we’re waiving transaction fees throughout the month of October.
So scan the list above again, choose two or three from the list, and give them to your favorite nonprofit. The process isn’t what it used to be – it takes mere minutes and provides your nonprofit up to 5x the monetary value of cash donations. When you give, tweet us @Donate_Stock so we can cheer you on.