The S&P 500 is up in 2026, but the gains underneath the index have been highly uneven. Memory, data-center hardware, energy and selected turnaround stories have produced some of the year’s largest individual-stock moves.
Key Takeaways
- Sandisk (SNDK) leads this ranking based on year-to-date share-price return.
- The data snapshot is September 16, 2026; fast-moving values should be verified again before publication.
- Extreme winners often combine improving fundamentals with a sharp change in expectations; they can also become much more volatile after large runs.
- The ranking measures one dimension only and should not be treated as personalized financial or investment advice.
How We Ranked the Top 10
This ranking uses year-to-date price returns from January 1 through the latest September 2026 snapshot. It does not include dividends and past performance is not a forecast of future returns.
The primary comparison metric is year-to-date share-price return. The ranking is designed to be transparent and reproducible rather than subjective.
Top 10 at a Glance
| Rank | Name | Latest figure / basis |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandisk (SNDK) | about +526.5% YTD |
| 2 | Moderna (MRNA) | about +382.0% |
| 3 | Dell Technologies (DELL) | about +327.2% |
| 4 | Micron Technology (MU) | about +214.5% |
| 5 | Seagate Technology (STX) | about +174.4% |
| 6 | Intel (INTC) | about +157.2% |
| 7 | Marvell Technology (MRVL) | about +156.0% |
| 8 | Marathon Petroleum (MPC) | about +155.2% |
| 9 | Valero Energy (VLO) | about +146.8% |
| 10 | Western Digital (WDC) | about +132.7% |
The Top 10 in Detail
1. Sandisk (SNDK)
At No. 1, Sandisk (SNDK) records about +526.5% YTD on the metric used for this ranking. The ranking captures a single financial dimension at a specific point in time. It should be paired with fundamentals such as revenue, earnings quality, free cash flow, balance-sheet strength and valuation. Large values can signal scale and market confidence, but they can also embed very demanding expectations about future performance.
2. Moderna (MRNA)
Moderna (MRNA) takes the No. 2 position, with about +382.0% in the latest snapshot. The ranking captures a single financial dimension at a specific point in time. It should be paired with fundamentals such as revenue, earnings quality, free cash flow, balance-sheet strength and valuation. Large values can signal scale and market confidence, but they can also embed very demanding expectations about future performance.
3. Dell Technologies (DELL)
Ranked No. 3, Dell Technologies (DELL) stands at about +327.2% based on the methodology above. The ranking captures a single financial dimension at a specific point in time. It should be paired with fundamentals such as revenue, earnings quality, free cash flow, balance-sheet strength and valuation. Large values can signal scale and market confidence, but they can also embed very demanding expectations about future performance.
4. Micron Technology (MU)
At No. 4, Micron Technology (MU) records about +214.5% on the metric used for this ranking. The ranking captures a single financial dimension at a specific point in time. It should be paired with fundamentals such as revenue, earnings quality, free cash flow, balance-sheet strength and valuation. Large values can signal scale and market confidence, but they can also embed very demanding expectations about future performance.
5. Seagate Technology (STX)
Seagate Technology (STX) takes the No. 5 position, with about +174.4% in the latest snapshot. The ranking captures a single financial dimension at a specific point in time. It should be paired with fundamentals such as revenue, earnings quality, free cash flow, balance-sheet strength and valuation. Large values can signal scale and market confidence, but they can also embed very demanding expectations about future performance.
6. Intel (INTC)
Ranked No. 6, Intel (INTC) stands at about +157.2% based on the methodology above. The ranking captures a single financial dimension at a specific point in time. It should be paired with fundamentals such as revenue, earnings quality, free cash flow, balance-sheet strength and valuation. Large values can signal scale and market confidence, but they can also embed very demanding expectations about future performance.
7. Marvell Technology (MRVL)
At No. 7, Marvell Technology (MRVL) records about +156.0% on the metric used for this ranking. The ranking captures a single financial dimension at a specific point in time. It should be paired with fundamentals such as revenue, earnings quality, free cash flow, balance-sheet strength and valuation. Large values can signal scale and market confidence, but they can also embed very demanding expectations about future performance.
8. Marathon Petroleum (MPC)
Marathon Petroleum (MPC) takes the No. 8 position, with about +155.2% in the latest snapshot. The ranking captures a single financial dimension at a specific point in time. It should be paired with fundamentals such as revenue, earnings quality, free cash flow, balance-sheet strength and valuation. Large values can signal scale and market confidence, but they can also embed very demanding expectations about future performance.
9. Valero Energy (VLO)
Ranked No. 9, Valero Energy (VLO) stands at about +146.8% based on the methodology above. The ranking captures a single financial dimension at a specific point in time. It should be paired with fundamentals such as revenue, earnings quality, free cash flow, balance-sheet strength and valuation. Large values can signal scale and market confidence, but they can also embed very demanding expectations about future performance.
10. Western Digital (WDC)
At No. 10, Western Digital (WDC) records about +132.7% on the metric used for this ranking. The ranking captures a single financial dimension at a specific point in time. It should be paired with fundamentals such as revenue, earnings quality, free cash flow, balance-sheet strength and valuation. Large values can signal scale and market confidence, but they can also embed very demanding expectations about future performance.
What This Ranking Tells Us
Extreme winners often combine improving fundamentals with a sharp change in expectations; they can also become much more volatile after large runs.
What the ranking reveals
This table is designed to answer a narrow question using year-to-date share-price return. It gives readers a quick way to compare scale, but the most useful insight comes from asking why the leaders are so large and whether the factors behind that leadership are durable. Industry structure, margins, capital intensity and investor expectations can matter as much as the headline number.
How to use this list responsibly
Treat the ranking as a research starting point, not a buy list. For public companies, review financial statements, cash flow, debt, valuation and competitive position. For historical performance lists, remember that the strongest past returns can be followed by much weaker results. A well-formatted table is useful, but the methodology and limitations are what make the article trustworthy.
Important Limitations
Rankings simplify complex subjects. Market capitalization changes with share prices; earnings can include unusual items; AUM moves with flows and asset prices; bank assets depend on accounting definitions; macroeconomic data can be revised; savings rates can change without notice; and real-estate samples differ by provider. For that reason, InvestorBytes recommends keeping the data date visible and linking to the underlying source.
Financial disclaimer: This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not personalized financial, investment, tax or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who ranks No. 1 in this list?
Sandisk (SNDK) ranks first based on year-to-date share-price return in the September 16, 2026 data snapshot used for this article.
How often can this ranking change?
Fast-moving market, rate and price rankings can change daily. Annual macroeconomic and regulatory datasets usually change less frequently but may still be revised.
Does a higher ranking mean it is a better investment?
No. Size, yield, past return or AUM is not an investment recommendation. Risk, valuation, time horizon and personal financial circumstances matter.
Why might another website show different numbers?
Sources can use different reporting dates, currencies, definitions, data vendors or methods. That is why this article states its metric and data date.
How should this article be updated?
Before a future republish, refresh the comparison table from the cited primary or high-quality data source, change the data-as-of date, and revise any item whose rank moved materially.
