Yahoo Finance·2025-12-24 10:05Group 1: Stock Performance - U.S. stocks had a remarkable year in 2025, with significant gains primarily driven by mega-cap tech companies and some unexpected names [1][2] - The trend of 100%-plus gains has shifted from small caps and penny stocks to larger, established companies, particularly in the tech sector [2] Group 2: AI-related Hardware - Western Digital experienced a 275% increase in stock value, while Seagate Technology saw a 226% rise, driven by demand for AI infrastructure [3] - Micron Technology's stock surged by 210%, benefiting from historic demand and record revenue, with high-bandwidth memory becoming a key growth driver [4] - Lam Research's stock rose nearly 150%, closing the year around $170, reflecting investor interest in the entire semiconductor manufacturing stack [5] Group 3: AI-related Software - Palantir Technologies gained 157% through late December, supported by increasing government and enterprise contracts, positioning its software as essential for AI-driven decision-making [6] Group 4: Retail Trading Platforms - Robinhood Markets saw a total stock increase of 209%, fueled by retail investor enthusiasm in the stock market and crypto trading [7] Group 5: Precious Metals - Gold prices surged by 70% year-to-date through late December, marking a significant trend alongside tech and growth stocks, reminiscent of post-pandemic market movements [8]