Best-Performing Stocks: Market Leaders as of September 2023
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By Conor MacNeil | Published September 8, 2023 ✔️Reviewed by Rob Koyfman
The United States has seen stocks across the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 rally in 2023. While the battle against inflation continues, the level of inflation across the world has, for the most part, begun to cool down. By the beginning of September, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 were up 17% and 42%, respectively.
Certain themes across these markets have fared well this year, particularly those related to semiconductors, AI, travel & leisure, and advertising. Below is a breakdown of the top-performing stocks across the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 so far this year.
Best Stocks of September 2023:
S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100
Name | Ticker | YTD Return |
|---|---|---|
Nvidia Corporation | NVDA | 216.53% |
Meta Platforms, Inc. | META | 148.19% |
Tesla Inc. | TSLA | 104.16% |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | RCL | 96.6% |
Carnival Corporation & plc | CCL | 89.83% |
The Trade Desk Inc. | TTD | 88.07% |
PulteGroup Inc. | PHM | 78.76% |
Palo Alto Networks Inc. | PANW | 75.89% |
West Pharmaceutical Services | WST | 71.9% |
General Electric Company | GE | 71.26% |
MercadoLibre Inc. | MELI | 69.73% |
Adobe Inc. | ADBE | 66.54% |
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. | AMD | 64.57% |
Lam Research Corp. | LRCX | 62.03% |
Align Technology Inc. | ALGN | 61.65% |
*Data as of September 8th, 2023
Finding The Best Stocks
There are a number of ways to quickly find the best stocks within an index, ETF, fund, or country, using Koyfin.
Using the Koyfin screener tool, you can define the investment universe to only include stocks in specific countries, exchanges, industries, and sectors. You can also screen for ETF constituents for ETFs like SPY. Once you have chosen your investment universe, simply save the output as a watchlist, add a “total return YTD” column and sort from highest to lowest.
Alternatively, you can search for an ETF in Koyfin, and go to the Snapshot Holdings page which will break out each holding within the ETF, the current price, weighting, YTD return, and contribution. Here you can quickly sort by YTD return from highest to lowest.
Should you consider investing in these best stocks right now?
The stocks we shared today are simply the best-performing YTD; that does not necessarily imply they are the best place to invest your money at this moment in time. Each year, the top performers across the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 will change, and are influenced by a variety of internal (improving fundamentals, M&A, new business lines) as well as external factors (recessions, macroeconomic variables, legislative changes, sentiment).
At the end of 2022, if every investor were asked to name which fifteen stocks would be the best-performing at this stage in the year, it’s unlikely that anyone would get them correct. It’s even more unlikely, near impossible, to have the foresight to do this year after year. Investors should construct their portfolio based on their own research, knowledge levels, risk tolerances, and time horizons.
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)
Nvidia, headquartered in California, specializes in manufacturing and distributing premium graphics processing units (GPUs) that are used across gaming, technology, and automotive industries. Their Compute & Networking segment focuses on AI-driven automotive solutions and networking platforms.
Market Cap | $1,142.2 billion |
Industry | Semiconductors |
Exchange | NasdaqGS |
YTD Return | 216.5% |
3Y Return | 267.2% |
LTM revenue | $32.7 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 64.6% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 33% |
LTM Net Income Margin | 31.6% |
NTM P/E | 31x |
Meta Platforms Inc. (META)
Formerly known as Facebook, Meta Platforms was founded in 2004 by the current CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. Beginning life as a social network, the company later acquired Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR, and branched out into additional advertising networks, virtual reality, and messaging. Today, the company’s revenue are largely driven by advertising revenues, but they are now making a large bet on virtual and augmented reality and computing.
Market Cap | $768.5 billion |
Industry | Interactive Media |
Exchange | NasdaqGS |
YTD Return | 148.2% |
3Y Return | 5.6% |
LTM revenue | $120.5 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 79.5% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 29.2% |
LTM Net Income Margin | 18.7% |
NTM P/E | 18.7x |
Tesla Inc. (TSLA)
Tesla is the manufacturer of the world’s most well-known electric vehicles (EVs), founded by Elon Musk, the current CEO. As well as their focus on EVs, Tesla is vested in energy generation and storage systems and has plans to build a global network of Tesla charging stations.
Market Cap | $794.7 billion |
Industry | Automobiles |
Exchange | NasdaqGS |
YTD Return | 104.1% |
3Y Return | 80.4% |
LTM revenue | $94 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 21.5% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 13.5% |
LTM Net Income Margin | 13% |
NTM P/E | 63.8x |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)
Cruising across the world since 1968, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., based in Miami, Florida, operates as a global cruise provider. Their vast fleet sails under the brands of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. Today, they own a fleet of roughly 64 ships.
Market Cap | $24.9 billion |
Industry | Hospitality |
Exchange | NYSE |
YTD Return | 96.6% |
3Y Return | 35% |
LTM revenue | $12 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 39.5% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 11.4% |
LTM Net Income Margin | -0.47% |
NTM P/E | 12.5x |
Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL)
Miami-based Carnival Corporation & plc, established in 1972, stands as a titan in leisure travel services. Operating over 90 ships under various celebrated brands, they explore nearly 700 ports. Their diverse offerings encompass cruises, hotel stays, and even transportation services on a global scale.
Market Cap | $19.1 billion |
Industry | Hospitality |
Exchange | NYSE |
YTD Return | 89.8% |
3Y Return | -17.4% |
LTM revenue | $17.5 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 42% |
LTM EBIT Margin | -5.7% |
LTM Net Income Margin | -19.8% |
NTM P/E | 26.7x |
The Trade Desk Inc. (TTD)
The Trade Desk Inc., a tech visionary from Ventura, California, revolutionizes digital advertising through its cloud-based platform. Established in 2009, they cater to advertisers, ensuring optimized ad campaigns across multiple devices and formats.
Market Cap | $41.3 billion |
Industry | Media |
Exchange | NasdaqGS |
YTD Return | 88% |
3Y Return | 91% |
LTM revenue | $1.7 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 81.5% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 8.5% |
LTM Net Income Margin | 7.5% |
NTM P/E | 65x |
PulteGroup Inc. (PHM)
Atlanta, Georgia-based PulteGroup Inc. has carved a niche in homebuilding since 1950. They deal in land acquisition, development, and residential construction, offering diverse home designs. By the end of 2022, they controlled over 200,000 lots. Additionally, they provide financing, insurance, and other home-related services.
Market Cap | $17.7 billion |
Industry | Homebuilding |
Exchange | NYSE |
YTD Return | 78.8% |
3Y Return | 94.3% |
LTM revenue | $16.7 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 29.3% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 21.3% |
LTM Net Income Margin | 16.3% |
NTM P/E | 7.1x |
Palo Alto Networks Inc. (PANW)
With a global reach, Palo Alto Networks Inc. is a cybersecurity leader based in Santa Clara, California. Their range includes firewall solutions, threat prevention services, and a host of subscription-based security services. Founded in 2005, they serve a plethora of industries, from finance to telecommunications.
Market Cap | $75.7 billion |
Industry | Software |
Exchange | NasdaqGS |
YTD Return | 75.9% |
3Y Return | 212.5% |
LTM revenue | $6.9 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 72.3% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 5.6% |
LTM Net Income Margin | 6.4% |
NTM P/E | 46x |
West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Originally established in 1923 in Exton, Pennsylvania, West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. specializes in containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs. Its two main arms, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products, focus on advanced drug packaging and device manufacturing. Notably, the Proprietary Products segment provides stoppers, seals, and innovative drug administration systems, catering primarily to biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
Market Cap | $29.8 billion |
Industry | Life Sciences |
Exchange | NYSE |
YTD Return | 71.9% |
3Y Return | 54.2% |
LTM revenue | $2.9 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 38.1% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 24.5% |
LTM Net Income Margin | 18.1% |
NTM P/E | 49.5x |
General Electric Company (GE)
Boston’s high-tech industrial gem, General Electric Company, has been innovating since 1892. Their offerings span from turbines to aircraft engines, ensuring solutions for diverse sectors. With a footprint in renewables and software, they continue their legacy of excellence.
Market Cap | $121 billion |
Industry | Conglomerates |
Exchange | NYSE |
YTD Return | 71.3% |
3Y Return | 182.2% |
LTM revenue | $80.9 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 24.7% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 8% |
LTM Net Income Margin | 12% |
NTM P/E | 34.7x |
MercadoLibre Inc. (MELI)
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay, MercadoLibre Inc. is a dominant online commerce entity in Latin America. The core of its operation, the Mercado Libre Marketplace, enables diverse businesses and individuals to conduct online sales. Additionally, through Mercado Pago FinTech, users can seamlessly send, receive, and invest money. The company further diversifies its offerings with logistics, advertising, and the Mercado Shops platform.
Market Cap | $72 billion |
Industry | Broadline Retail |
Exchange | NasdaqGS |
YTD Return | 69.7% |
3Y Return | 32.6% |
LTM revenue | $12.1 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 56.3% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 12.7% |
LTM Net Income Margin | 6.2% |
NTM P/E | 56.7x |
Adobe Inc. (ADBE)
Adobe Inc., based in San Jose, California since 1982, is a multifaceted software enterprise operating across Digital Media, Digital Experience, and Publishing and Advertising. Its iconic Creative Cloud service has revolutionized content creation, while the Digital Experience division assists brands in curating optimal customer interactions. Adobe’s comprehensive suite serves a range of stakeholders from content creators to executives.
Market Cap | $255.5 billion |
Industry | Software |
Exchange | NasdaqGS |
YTD Return | 66.5% |
3Y Return | 13.9% |
LTM revenue | $18.4 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 87.8% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 33.6% |
LTM Net Income Margin | 26.3% |
NTM P/E | 33.7x |
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD)
Advanced Micro Devices, popularly known as AMD, has been a semiconductor frontrunner since its inception in 1969 in Santa Clara, California. It boasts four operational segments: Data Center, Client, Gaming, and Embedded. AMD’s vast array of products includes x86 microprocessors, graphics processing units (GPUs), and semi-custom system-on-chip (SoC) products, offered under well-regarded brands like Ryzen, Radeon, and EPYC.
Market Cap | $172.2 billion |
Industry | Semiconductors |
Exchange | NasdaqGS |
YTD Return | 64.6% |
3Y Return | 30% |
LTM revenue | $21.9 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 50% |
LTM EBIT Margin | -1.7% |
LTM Net Income Margin | -0.1% |
NTM P/E | 31.7x |
Lam Research Corporation (LRCX)
Situated in Fremont, California, Lam Research Corporation, founded in 1980, stands as a pivotal figure in semiconductor processing equipment design and manufacturing. With offerings like ALTUS systems for film deposition and VECTOR plasma-enhanced CVD products, it plays an essential role in integrated circuit fabrication. Lam Research’s wide product range addresses the intricate requirements of the global semiconductor sector.
Market Cap | $89.7 billion |
Industry | Semiconductors |
Exchange | NasdaqGS |
YTD Return | 62% |
3Y Return | 110.6% |
LTM revenue | $17.4 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 45% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 30.4% |
LTM Net Income Margin | 25.9% |
NTM P/E | 25x |
Align Technology Inc. (ALGN)
Align Technology Inc. is at the forefront of dental innovation, best known for its Invisalign clear aligners. Their operations span across two major segments: Clear Aligner and Imaging Systems & CAD/CAM Services. While the former brings forward an array of aligner packages tailored for various age brackets, the latter introduces the iTero intraoral scanning system, a versatile tool for dental professionals.
Market Cap | $26 billion |
Industry | Medical Supplies |
Exchange | NasdaqGS |
YTD Return | 61.7% |
3Y Return | 10.3% |
LTM revenue | $3.7 billion |
LTM Gross Profit Margin | 70% |
LTM EBIT Margin | 15.4% |
LTM Net Income Margin | 8.4% |
NTM P/E | 35.3x |
FAQ
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What are the S&P 500 and Nasdaq?
The S&P 500 is an index representing 500 of the largest U.S. companies, while the Nasdaq 100 is an index of the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
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How are companies selected for inclusion in the S&P 500 or Nasdaq?
Companies for the S&P 500 are selected based on market capitalization, liquidity, and sector representation, while the Nasdaq 100 includes large non-financial companies, particularly those in sectors like semiconductors, AI, and other tech domains, marking them as “good stocks” in their specific industries.
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How is the "best-performing" stock determined?
The best-performing stocks are identified based on their total return YTD, which includes factors like stock price appreciation and dividends. Tools like Koyfin allow investors to screen and rank these top stocks. However, picking stocks that consistently outperform is challenging, and stock picks need to be informed by both market trends and individual company fundamentals.
Editorial note
Our insights are derived solely from historical information and analyst predictions, employing an impartial approach. Please note that our articles do not serve as financial guidance.