Oil, Gas Firms Biggest Wall Street Winners This Year

Oil prices began 2021 just under $50 a barrel. They are now trading just north of $70 and in October reached $85 -— a seven-year high. So it should come as no surprise that energy stocks are among the market's biggest winners this year, Paul T. La Monica reported for CNN.

Photo Insert: Big oil is back with a vengeance.

Oil and natural gas exploration company Devon Energy is the best performing stock in the S&P 500 through December 13, with a nearly 180% gain. Marathon Petroleum and Diamondback Energy, are up more than 100%. APA, the parent company of oil giant Apache, and ConocoPhillips (COP) have nearly doubled as well.

As long as crude prices remain in the $60-to-$80-a-barrel range, oil stocks should continue to be solid performers in 2022 as well, said Anastasia Amoroso, chief investment strategist with iCapital Network.

But oil and gas firms aren't the only ones that thrived in 2021. Other big winners included Bath & Body Works, which is up 145% this year after spinning off Victoria's Secret. COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna, Ford, and chip giant Nvidia have all more than doubled in 2021, too.

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