Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) — Shares up 30% on the year, even given swoon that started in September.
Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) — The botched IPO of the year without question. Still, with 1 billion users — and continued support from the lead underwriters — have brought the shares back from a low below $20.
Zynga Inc. (NASDAQ: ZNGA) — Stock is down 75% this year as Zynga’s relationship with Facebook changed. Real-money gambling is on the horizon, at least in Nevada, and that’s helping keep the stock off recent lows.
First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) — The bellwether of the solar industry. Once a growth stock that topped $300 a share, it now trades like a cult stock, with nearly 5 million shares a day trading hands at around 10% of its past peak.
Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ARNA) — A boomer this year, following FDA approval of its weight loss drug. Shares now trade more than four times higher than they did in January 2012.
Groupon Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN) — Another social media stock that has taken its lumps this year. From a high of more than $25 a share to a current price below $5.
Vivus Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS) — Received approval for its weight loss drug this year as well, but sales have not lived up to expectations. Shares are down more than 50% from their annual peak.
American International Group Inc. (NYSE: AIG) — A testament to the bank bailout program initiated under the Bush administration and continued under Obama’s watch. Shares are up more than 50% in 2012.
Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: ANR) — Bankrupt Patriot Coal Co. aside, Alpha has been the hardest hit of the nation’s coal miners this year, down about 65%. Low natural gas prices have decimated the industry and despite hopeful noises from the miners, 2013 could be just as tough a year.
Westport Innovations Inc. (NASDAQ: WPRT) — This is one of those clean-energy plays that generated a lot of enthusiasm and not a lot of profit. Shares are down nearly 50% from their annual peak.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) — The maker of the Keurig single-cup coffee brewing system spent a good part of the year in the looming shadow of a competing product from …
Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ: SBUX) — The king of the $5 cup of coffee is testing a $7 cup. Our guess is that customers will pay for it.
ProShares Ultra VIX Short-term Futures ETF (NYSEMKT: UVXY) — When nothing but a bet against the current market trend will do.
Paul Ausick
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