: Despite a "chaotic news cycle," markets remained remarkably steady, allowing growth premiums to outperform value premiums significantly.
: Stocks like Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Cameco (CCJ) were considered high-risk due to volatile commodity prices. FCX, in particular, was viewed as a speculative "survival" play as it wrestled with high debt levels relative to cash flow.
: Another biotech leader, Nektar returned 387% following positive news regarding its immuno-oncology and painkiller treatments. high risk stocks to buy 2017
: A top performer in the S&P 500 with a 132% gain . High risk stemmed from a major corporate overhaul, where the company shed clean energy assets and cut costs under pressure from activist investors.
: Expectations of tax cuts and increased infrastructure support under the new U.S. administration provided a tailwind for industrial and homebuilding stocks like Boeing (BA) and D.R. Horton (DHI) . : Despite a "chaotic news cycle," markets remained
: Aggressive investors also looked at high-yield dividend stocks such as AstraZeneca (AZN) and GameStop (GME) , which offered potential capital appreciation alongside dividends, though they carried elevated risk during market transitions. Key Market Drivers for 2017
: Nine of the top ten performing stocks of the year were in the biotech sector. Companies like Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) (up 97%) and Dynavax Technologies (DVAX) (up 373%) succeeded based on FDA approvals and breakthrough trial data. : Another biotech leader, Nektar returned 387% following
For investors in 2017, the "high-risk, high-reward" segment of the market was defined by a strong rebound in energy, explosive breakthroughs in biotechnology, and the rising dominance of high-growth technology. While the broader market saw a lack of volatility, with the S&P 500 rising roughly 20% and the Nasdaq nearly 30%, these specific sectors offered triple-digit gains for those willing to stomach higher volatility.