The market is green this year, but not every stock is joining the rally. The S&P 500 has gained 8.2% year-to-date, yet performance inside the index shows a much more divided picture.

So far in 2026:

  • 99 stocks have surged more than 20%
  • 100 stocks are moving within ±5%
  • 63 stocks have dropped at least 20%

The biggest winners have delivered massive returns:

  • SanDisk +539.4%
  • Intel +230.7%
  • AMD +107.9%
  • Amazon +17.9%
  • Nvidia +13.4%

Meanwhile, some popular names have struggled:

  • Palantir Technologies -24.0%
  • Tesla -6.4%
  • Oracle -0.8%

The takeaway: The S&P 500 is moving higher, but leadership is narrow. Investors who picked the right stocks significantly outperformed the index, while others were left behind. In 2026, stock selection matters more than simply buying the market.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.