20 best-performing global stocks in 2025 (as of May)

The US stock market is the world’s largest, hosting major exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, where nine of the top 10 global companies by market capitalization are listed. Investors around the world participate in the US stock market.

The S&P 500 is an index that tracks 500 leading US-listed companies and is used by investors as a key barometer of US stock market performance. The companies in the S&P 500 are weighted by market capitalization and dominated by sectors like information technology, financials and healthcare. The index returns an average of 10% annually.

This article explores the dynamics of the US stock market and the composition of the S&P 500. It highlights the 20 best-performing stocks in the S&P 500 so far this year, showcasing opportunities for investors seeking growth and stability.

Key Takeaways:

• The S&P 500, representing 500 leading US companies, is a critical measure of US stock market performance.

• Market capitalization, calculated as share price times the number of shares, is a vital metric for assessing a company’s value and stability.

• Stocks like NRG Energy, Palantir Technologies and Uber Technologies have led US market performance in 2025.