Spectacular Stock Market Year 2024: Hidden Winners in the S&P 500 Revealed

The year 2024 proves to be a true celebration for investors' hearts. The S&P 500 is performing at its best and has so far recorded an increase of nearly 28 percent. Yet amid this pleasing development, there are remarkable stocks that have grown far beyond this impressive mark. Undisputedly, Nvidia and Palantir Technologies are the talk of the town. Nvidia is experiencing a golden year with a growth of 180 percent; Palantir is not far behind with an increase of over 300 percent. However, these strong numbers are largely well-known, so it's worth taking a look at some of the less obvious success stories. One of these surprise winners in the S&P 500 is the long-established company Walmart. With more than six decades in business, the retail giant ranks among the high-flyers with a stock increase of 82 percent. This development contrasts with its solid but unspectacular business figures. However, growth in the digital sector is giving Walmart a boost. Faster profit increases and successful integration of e-commerce trends, like digital advertising, are driving up the stock value. The acquisition of the smart TV provider Vizio could continue this trajectory, although a similarly giant leap is not on the horizon for the coming year. Another star in the S&P 500 is Deckers. Unlike many of the forward-looking tech heavyweights, Deckers simply focuses on shoe sales. However, the company can boast a rise of over 660 percent in the last five years and a remarkable increase of 85 percent this year alone. Despite the significant valuation the company has achieved today compared to five years ago, its dynamic growth and impressive increase in operating profit margin are compelling. These two companies exemplify the exciting developments that have shaped the stock market year 2024.