The Results Are In: Here Are The Best-Performing, Highest-Rated STOCKS of 2017

by Mike Larson
By Mike Larson

On Friday, I shared my list of the best-performing, highest-rated ETFs of 2017. Now it’s time to do the same thing for STOCKS!

Our Weiss Ratings database contains more than 13,700 stocks, so getting on this Top 15 list isn’t easy! I started by eliminating any stocks rated SELL by our Ratings system. Then like with ETFs, I did a primary sort by Rating for all that remained, followed by a secondary sort by year-to-date performance.

I wanted to get rid of the smallest, least liquid names. So, I lopped off any stocks with market capitalizations of less than $500 million and closing prices of less than $5. Finally, I cut out stocks with less than 50,000 shares in 30-day average trading volume. Here’s the resulting list, sorted in descending order by Rating:

The 15 Best-Performing, Highest-Rated Stocks of 2017

Data Date: 12/13/2017

Topping the list was Owens Corning (OC, Rated “A+”), the insulation, roofing, and composites manufacturer famous for its Pink Panther-based insulation branding. Its shares surged 72% this year through earlier this week, bolstered by strong construction and housing demand. The home builder D.R. Horton (DHI, Rated “A”) also made the cut due to the same factors, surging more than 86% and taking spot #13 on my list.

Coming in at second place was Avery Dennison (AVY, Rated “A+”). The company makes labels, films, tags, tapes, and other products used in industries like retailing, healthcare, automotive, advertising, and manufacturing. It’s been on a tear thanks to strong U.S. and overseas economic growth, rising almost 67% this year and 279% in the past half-decade.

Just in time for the ringing in of 2018 and all the New Year’s Eve parties that go along with it, a pair of booze companies made my list at #3 and #4. French luxury products conglomerate LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMUY, Rated “A+”) rose almost 55% so far this year, while Constellation Brands (STZ, Rated “A+”) jumped 45%. LVMUY produces Moet & Chandon champagne and Hennessy cognac, while STZ sells Corona beer, Svedka vodka, and Meiomi wines.

The rest of my list includes companies focused on a wide range of industries, including banking, defense, technology, and healthcare. That speaks to the diversified, healthy nature of the market advance in 2017 – and validates the very bullish outlook for stocks that I shared multiple times in the past year.

While we face some challenges in 2018, including geopolitical threats, interest rate increases, and isolated pockets of euphoria (Bitcoin anyone?), I’m still optimistic about the market at this time. So, make sure you check out some of the names on my list to see if they make sense for your portfolio.

Want even more guidance, as well as specific “Buy” and “Sell” targets and instructions? Then get my entire model portfolio of higher-yielding, higher-rated stocks in my High Yield Investing service! I just added two new names to it in the December issue that went to subscribers on Thursday – and there’s still time to get on board. Click here or call us at 1-877-934-7778 to get started.

Until next time,

Mike

About the Income & Dividend Analyst

In an era of high-risk exuberance, Mike Larson stands out as a leader in conservative investment strategies that outperform the market overall. Using the safety-oriented Weiss Ratings as a guide, he has a proven history of guiding investors to stocks and ETFs that provide asset protection, consistent dividends and excellent growth.

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