🚀 Top 10 Stocks Soaring from April 2024 to April 2025: Winners and Why They’re Up

At GLHR Investing, we’re spotlighting the stocks that defied a turbulent market to deliver standout gains. From April 2024 to April 2025, the S&P 500 faced headwinds—tariffs, inflation fears, and a 4.8% YTD drop—but these 10 stocks surged, driven by unique catalysts and resilient sectors. Here’s who’s leading the pack, why they’re up, and what investors need to know about their future potential.

• Palantir Technologies (PLTR):
  • Performance: Up 340.5% from April 2024 to March 31, 2025, the top S&P 500 performer. Current price: ~$75 (April 23, 2025), down 10.8% from its December 2024 high.
  • Why Up: Palantir’s data analytics and AI platforms, used by government and corporations, capitalized on the AI boom. Q4 2024 revenue grew 30% to $708 million, with 44% commercial growth.
  • Economic Fit: Domestic focus and government contracts shield it from tariffs. AI demand persists despite market volatility.
  • Investor Angle: Trades at a 260% premium to Morningstar’s $21 fair value, signaling overvaluation. Analysts target $80–$90, but tariff-driven tech sell-offs (e.g., April 16) pose risks. Consider profit-taking or waiting for dips near $60.
  • Outlook: Momentum may slow if AI hype cools, but long-term contracts ensure stability.
• Vistra Corp. (VST):
  • Performance: Up 261.3% over the year, current price: ~$140.
  • Why Up: The utilities firm benefited from soaring energy demand, particularly for data centers, and stable cash flows. Q4 2024 revenue rose 15%, with nuclear and renewable investments paying off.
  • Economic Fit: Tariff-immune utilities thrive amid consumer spending dips (retail down 13%). High interest rates favor stable dividends (2.1% yield).
  • Investor Angle: Overvalued at 165% above Morningstar’s $52 fair value, but analysts see $150–$160 targets. A safe haven in volatile markets, ideal for income-focused investors.
  • Outlook: Steady demand and diversification into renewables support continued gains.
• Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD):
  • Performance: Up 192.5%, current price: ~$22.
  • Why Up: The trading platform rode crypto and retail investing surges, with 192.5% gains tied to Bitcoin’s rally and 23.6 million monthly active users in Q4 2024.
  • Economic Fit: Tariff fears boost speculative trading, but consumer caution (sentiment at 50.8) may curb volumes.
  • Investor Angle: High volatility (15% below December high) suits risk-tolerant investors. Analysts target $25, but a 60% recession risk could dent retail activity. Buy on dips near $20.
  • Outlook: Crypto and IPO activity could drive gains, but macro risks loom.
• United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL):
  • Performance: Up 135.3%, current price: ~$60.
  • Why Up: Strong travel demand and operational efficiency lifted Q4 2024 revenue 10%, with 8% passenger growth. Debt reduction improved balance sheets.
  • Economic Fit: Tariffs raise fuel costs, but domestic routes (70% of revenue) mitigate impact. Consumer spending cuts hit discretionary travel.
  • Investor Angle: Analysts target $70, with a Moderate Buy rating. Defensive against tech sell-offs but vulnerable to oil price spikes.
  • Outlook: Steady domestic demand supports gains, but global trade tensions may cap upside.
• Axon Enterprise, Inc. (AXON):
  • Performance: Up 130.1%, current price: ~$350.
  • Why Up: The law enforcement tech firm (Tasers, body cameras) saw 33% revenue growth to $2.1 billion in 2024, driven by public safety budgets and cloud software adoption.
  • Economic Fit: Domestic focus and government contracts dodge tariff costs. Stable demand despite recession fears.
  • Investor Angle: Analysts target $400, but high valuation (50x earnings) suggests caution. A long-term hold for growth investors.
  • Outlook: Public safety spending ensures growth, but premium pricing limits short-term upside.
• Agilon Health, Inc. (AGL):
  • Performance: Up 127.8%, current price: ~$4.50.
  • Why Up: The Medicare-focused physician management firm reported 44% Q4 2024 revenue growth and 659,000 members, rebounding from a $2 low in 2024.
  • Economic Fit: Healthcare’s tariff immunity and aging population drive demand. Consumer caution minimally impacts Medicare services.
  • Investor Angle: Low price ($4.50) and 127.8% gain signal volatility. Analysts target $6, but small-cap risks persist. Speculative buy for high-risk portfolios.
  • Outlook: Membership growth supports gains, but operational scale-up is critical.
• H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (HEES):
  • Performance: Up 93.6%, current price: ~$92.
  • Why Up: A $4.8 billion buyout offer from Herc Holdings in February 2025, following United Rentals’ bid, sent shares soaring. Q4 2024 rental revenue grew 10%.
  • Economic Fit: Infrastructure spending ($1 trillion Act) boosts equipment demand, offsetting tariff-driven cost hikes.
  • Investor Angle: Buyout locks in $92/share, limiting upside. Investors holding pre-buyout may see stable returns.
  • Outlook: Buyout completion ensures price stability, but growth potential is capped.
• IHS Holding Limited (IHS):
  • Performance: Up 78.7%, current price: ~$10.
  • Why Up: The African/Latin American telecom tower firm reported 2024 revenue exceeding guidance, with risk reduction and balance sheet improvements. Q4 2024 saw 12% tower growth.
  • Economic Fit: Emerging market focus avoids U.S. tariffs. Consumer spending dips less relevant to B2B telecom.
  • Investor Angle: Analysts target $12, with Moderate Buy rating. Emerging market risks balance high growth.
  • Outlook: Tower expansion drives gains, but currency volatility may impact returns.
• DRDGold Limited (DRD):
  • Performance: Up 78.7%, current price: ~$12.
  • Why Up: The South African gold retreatment firm rode a 40% gold price surge to $3,000/ounce, with 19% gains in 2025. Q4 2024 production rose 5%.
  • Economic Fit: Gold’s safe-haven status thrives amid tariff fears and 6.7% inflation expectations. Minimal consumer spending impact.
  • Investor Angle: Analysts target $15, with gold forecast at $3,350 by 2026 (Bank of America). Buy for inflation hedge.
  • Outlook: Gold’s rally supports gains, but mining risks (e.g., costs) persist.
• AT&T Inc. (T):
  • Performance: Up 70.1% over the year, current price: ~$28.
  • Why Up: Strong Q1 2025 performance (25.8% gain) driven by 5G adoption and 7% subscriber growth. Stable dividends (4% yield) attracted income investors.
  • Economic Fit: Telecom’s domestic focus and essential services weather tariffs and consumer pullbacks.
  • Investor Angle: Morningstar’s $26 fair value suggests slight overvaluation, but analysts target $30. A defensive pick for volatile markets.
  • Outlook: Subscriber growth and 5G rollout ensure steady gains, with low tariff exposure.
• Why These Stocks Stood Out:
  • Resilient Sectors: Utilities (Vistra, AT&T), healthcare (Agilon), and gold (DRDGold) thrived as defensive plays amid tariff-driven volatility. Tech (Palantir, Axon) and travel (United) leveraged AI and demand recovery.
  • Catalyst-Driven Gains: Buyouts (H&E), gold surges (DRDGold), and regulatory wins (Agilon) fueled outsized returns, despite a 17% S&P 500 drop since Trump’s inauguration.
  • Economic Alignment: Domestic focus (AT&T, Vistra) and tariff-immune sectors (healthcare, utilities) outperformed in a trade-war environment.
• Investor Considerations:
  • Opportunities:
    • Short-Term: Buy DRDGold or AT&T on dips for defensive exposure. Agilon offers speculative upside near $4.
    • Long-Term: Hold Vistra or Axon for stable growth; Palantir suits risk-tolerant AI bets.
  • Risks:
    • Tariff probes (semiconductors, minerals) threaten tech (Palantir) and supply chains, with a 4.3% SPY drop last week signaling volatility.
    • Overvaluation (Palantir, Vistra) and recession risks (60% per J.P. Morgan) could trigger pullbacks.
    • Consumer spending (down 13%) and 6.7% inflation expectations may curb travel (United) and retail exposure.
  • Strategy:
    • Allocate 5–10% to defensive stocks (AT&T, DRDGold) to hedge tariff risks. Diversify with gold ETFs (GLD) or infrastructure (IFRA).
    • Monitor Q1 earnings (April 23–30) and tariff updates for tech (Palantir) and travel (United) catalysts.
• Why It Matters: These top 10 stocks, up 70.1% to 340.5% from last year, highlight resilience in a market rocked by tariffs and uncertainty. From AI-driven tech to gold’s safe-haven appeal, they offer lessons for navigating 2025’s challenges. At GLHR Investing, we’re here to help you pick winners and build wealth in any climate.

Stay savvy with GLHR Investing—let’s seize the opportunities!