Top 3 Accumulated Stocks in 2024
Now that 2024 is in the books, let’s review the top brass in our research.
It was an epic year.
Here were the top 3 accumulated stocks in 2024.
Many believe the only game in town is the Mag 7. Without question, betting on hyper scalers has been a profitable venture.
But the reality is that each year, a handful of discrete equities attract mega-institutional sponsorship…which sends their share prices to the moon.
In 2023, our 5 most bought names were found in the consumer, homebuilder and tech space, highlighting the broad mix of themes that worked.
In 2024, our top names spanned the financial, industrial, and tech space. It was an incredible year for outlier stocks.
Let’s recap our biggest themes on the Top 20 report.
Top 3 Accumulated Stocks in 2024
Back in December 2023, we were excited for the Fed pivot. We saw some of the most buying ever with extreme inflows into Financial stocks.
We made a bold forecast: The top superstars for 2024 will be financial stocks. That call didn’t disappoint as the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) gained 30% in 2024, easily outpacing the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund’s (XLK) 21% jump.
But inside of those healthy flows, one superstar financial name stood out.
And Big Money was along for the ride…early.
The number 1 most accumulated stock in 2024 was Apollo Global Management (APO). This private equity asset manager put in a stunning 2024 performance of 79.8%.
Beginning January 9th 2024, APO shares kicked off their first of 19 appearances on our weekly Top 20 report.
Below details the instances (blue bars) when APO was highlighted as a top ranked institutional name in our research:
Today, Apollos shares offer a MAP score of 72.4 with a fundamental grade of 83%. A big reason this name became a Big Money favorite is due to APO’s expected 1Y earnings per share growth of 19.6% to $8.49.
Let’s keep going!
The next name surprised me the most in 2024.
The number 2 most accumulated stock last year was Palantir (PLTR). This industrial government software player ripped 340% in 2024!
This monumental performance helped it join the mighty S&P 500 last September.
This high-momentum name saw 16 appearances on our Top 20 report beginning February 13th.
You may be wondering what kicked the share price into high gear last summer. It was the Q3 2024 earnings guidance that shattered expectations.
Palantir guided 3rd quarter revenues at the mid-point of $699 million vs Wall Street estimates of $680.7 million. Even more impressive was the adj. operating income guidance at the mid-point of $235 million vs estimates of $212.7 million.
Keep investing easy…follow the Big Money. Often, capital is chasing companies exceeding guidance.
The number 3 most bought stock in 2024 is networking outlier, Arista Networks (ANET).
This AI-stalwart has been a top name for years. Arista made 15 appearances on our Top 20 list last year beginning January 16th.
This is the epitome of outlier stocks as 2023 EPS came in at $1.65 and is estimated to reach $2.19 for 2024 and expand to $2.45 in 2025.
These blue bars are institutional footprints lifting ANET shares higher and higher. I call this the stairway to heaven!
What’s even more incredible is ANET has been a household name for MAPsignals since we began as a firm in July 2014.
Arista Networks has made our Top 20 list 82 times beginning June 9, 2015. That equates to a +2216% return!
Few companies on earth have charts like this:
Potential performance like this is why I am reiterating buying stocks in January.
Even in the face of near-term volatility, like now, money managers are putting money to work. They’re focusing on companies with the ability to trounce earnings estimates.
MAPsignals helps you find those names!
Let’s wrap up.
Here’s the bottom line: 2024 was a big year for markets. More importantly, outlier stocks handsomely outperformed.
Our top names included financial, industrial, and tech firms experiencing strong earnings momentum.
We believe 2025 will offer similar discrete equity plays…likely in the small and mid-cap space.
As I like to say, use a MAP to find tomorrow’s top stocks…today.
If you’re a serious investor, money manager, or Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) start the year off right with a MAP PRO subscription and receive our weekly Top 20 list in your inbox.
Outlier companies are out there.
You just need a map to find them!
Lastly, join me next Tuesday, January 14th at 10am ET, at the Wealth365 Summit – as I present: How to Spot Big Winning Stocks in 2025
You won’t want to miss it.
