Investors were given an early Christmas present as U.S. equity markets bounced back last week. Reports from Europe continued to whipsaw global markets, but this time for the better. A successful debt auction in Spain was behind much of the week's optimism as bond buyers appeared to become more confident that the country will be able to meet its debt obligations. Meanwhile, in the U.S., economic data helped stoke the positive sentiment. Housing numbers largely came in better than expected, and initial unemployment claims continued to fall.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average
Top 3 Performing Sectors
Russell 3000 Sector |
Weekly Price Change |
Month-to-Date Price Change |
---|---|---|
Energy | 5.6% | (0%) |
Financials | 4.6% | 3.1% |
Industrials | 4.3% | 2.1% |
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Weekly price change is Dec. 16-Dec. 23. Monthly price change is Nov. 30-Dec. 23.
Doing its part to boost the financial sector was Delaware-based insurer Delphi Financial Group
Also skyrocketing after an announced deal was Winn-Dixie
Top 3 Performing Russell 3000 Companies
Company |
Weekly Price Change |
---|---|
Delphi Financial | 75.2% |
Winn-Dixie | 72.5% |
Delcath Systems (Nasdsaq: DCTH) | 50.8% |
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Weekly price change is Dec. 16-Dec. 23.
Also among the week's top performers were SandRidge Energy
VirnetX, meanwhile, got some good news from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The USPTO declined to re-examine the company's '180 patent for secure network communications. The decision comes after Cisco
That's it for this week's top-performers recap. If you're looking for some ideas for strong outperformers in the year ahead, The Motley Fool has created a brand new free report titled "The Motley Fool's Top Stock for 2012." In it, my fellow Fools reveal a top pick that's poised for explosive growth ahead. Get instant access -- it's free.