: Another biotech leader, Nektar returned 387% following positive news regarding its immuno-oncology and painkiller treatments.
: A high-beta tech play that gained 109% due to a surge in demand and pricing for memory chips used in mobile devices and servers. Sector-Specific Risk Profiles high risk stocks to buy 2017
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. : Another biotech leader, Nektar returned 387% following
: 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. While the broader market saw a lack of
: 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) .
Success in 2017 often depended on identifying specific catalysts within high-risk industries:
: The maker of Invisalign benefited from a near-monopoly on invisible braces, seeing a 131% increase as it expanded its training to thousands of dentists globally.