A lot of first-time investors might often only pick the biggest names in the market, but it’s important to realize that other companies might make a better investment.
Dec. 24, 2019
Here at MyWallSt, we have so many big-name stocks such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) or Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), that some of the best performers can often fall into their shadow.
So here are the 5 companies in the MyWallSt shortlist which made the largest gains in 2019.
1. Shopify
Coming up to the end of the year, one of the biggest market winners has to be Shopify (NYSE: SHOP), which is up more than 190%* year-to-date, ranking it among the top 4% of stocks on the market in 2019. The e-commerce platform helps individuals and small businesses set up shop online and build their brands.
The company has seen growth since day one on the market back in 2015 and has been putting real pressure on the big dog in e-commerce, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN). The Canadian company had an extremely impressive Black Friday shopping period at the end of April, where gross merchandise volume reached a record-breaking $900 million and is looking to round off a very impressive year ahead of 2020.
2. The Trade Desk
Another big stock making big moves is global tech company The Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TTD), which is up more than 125%* in our stock shortlist over the past year. Back in September, it did look as if the company would be swept up in the software pullback that was affecting the market, but it has managed to continue on its massive winning streak.
The stock looks to be backed by analysts moving forward into the new year, which represents a positive outlook for the company. With revenue that has grown more than 50% and earnings up 10%, this tech giant is showing no signs of slowing down.
3. Paycom
A company that may have fallen under many a radar is SaaS provider Paycom (NYSE: PAYC). The company provides software and cloud-based applications online, focusing on the relatively new sector that businesses term “human capital management.” Paycom’s stock is up more than 110%* in 2019, as it capitalizes on the growing need for software to manage the increasingly complicated realm of human capital.
Paycom started as one of the first fully online payroll companies in the U.S., and since then has expanded to build out its suite of HR solutions. The most interesting thing is that since its IPO in 2014, Paycom stock is up over 1,600%, or more than 77% compound annual growth rate, making this year’s growth slower than usual.
4. MercadoLibre
MercadoLibre (NASDAQ: MELI) is the second e-commerce company to make our top 5 performers this year, up nearly 100%* in 2019. Another potential disruptor to Amazon’s growing empire, the Latin American firm is the largest e-commerce platform in the region, selling 98 million items in its last quarter worth $3.6 billion — up more than 17% year on year.
The company has plenty of room left to grow. MercadoLibre’s venture into the fintech industry via its payment platform MercadoPago, which resembles PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL), could become a viable growth driver for the company as it seeks to expand operations in 2020.
5. Chipotle Mexican Grill
Rounding up our top 5 list is one of the hottest restaurant stocks on the market: Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG). After falling more than 65% from its all-time highs back in 2015 thanks to an e.Coli outbreak, the company’s stock rallied, rising more than 200% and more than 90%* in 2019 alone. In early December, the stock was flirting with all-time highs once more.
By refocusing on digital marketing and going back to the basics of ‘fresh ingredients’ under new CEO Brian Niccol, the U.S.-based burrito bar managed to become one of the top stocks on Wall Street. As well as this, a new sustainability initiative has seen the company’s reputation enhanced as it has undergone a 25% reduction in average restaurant waste and introducing recycling programs to 88% of its restaurants. With renewed vigor and rising popularity, Chipotle will look to bring its current form into the new decade.
*These figures were calculated on December 20, 2019.
MyWallSt operates a full disclosure policy. MyWallSt staff currently hold long positions in companies mentioned above. Read our full disclosure policy here.