25 Best Performing Nasdaq-100 Stocks in 2026: Top YTD Gainers

The Nasdaq-100 has delivered a diverse range of stock market performances in 2026, with several companies recording substantial gains since the beginning of the year. While semiconductor and technology companies continue to attract investor attention, biotechnology, cybersecurity, healthcare, and other industries are also represented among the index’s strongest performers.

As of November 6, 2026, Moderna ranks first among the 25 stocks in this performance ranking, with an extraordinary year-to-date (YTD) gain of 761.95%. SanDisk follows in second place with a 251.78% return, while Micron Technology ranks third with a 141.76% gain.

Other notable performers include Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Seagate Technology, Marvell Technology, and Texas Instruments. These companies represent different segments of the technology ecosystem, including semiconductors, data storage, cybersecurity, and computing infrastructure.

This article ranks the 25 best performing Nasdaq-100 stocks in 2026 based on their year-to-date returns. It also compares their one-year performance to provide investors with a broader perspective on recent stock market trends.

Whether you are researching the top Nasdaq stocks, comparing technology companies, or identifying potential investment opportunities, this ranking provides a starting point for understanding the market’s strongest performers.

30-Second Summary: Best Performing Nasdaq-100 Stocks in 2026

• Top-performing stock: Moderna leads the supplied ranking with a 761.95% YTD return as of November 6, 2026.
• Second place: SanDisk has gained 251.78% since the beginning of the year.
• Third place: Micron Technology has delivered a 141.76% YTD return.
• Strong technology performers: AMD, CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Seagate, and Marvell are among the leading companies.
• Healthcare representation: Moderna, Amgen, and Gilead are included in the top 25.
• Important comparison: YTD and one-year returns can tell different stories about a stock’s recent performance.
• Investment consideration: Strong historical returns do not guarantee future gains. Investors should also evaluate valuation, earnings, business fundamentals, and risk.

25 Best Performing Nasdaq-100 Stocks in 2026: Full Ranking

The following table presents the 25 stocks ranked by their year-to-date percentage gains as of November 6, 2026. The one-year return column provides an additional comparison of each company’s performance over the preceding 12 months.

The ranking is based on the supplied stock performance data. The figures are presented as provided and have not been independently recalculated.

Data as of November 6, 2026. YTD Change represents the percentage change since the beginning of 2026. 1-Year Change represents the percentage change over the preceding one-year period. Figures are based on the supplied dataset.

Top 10 Best Performing Nasdaq-100 Stocks: A Closer Look

The top 10 companies in the ranking have delivered particularly strong returns in 2026. Although several belong to the semiconductor and technology industries, their business models and growth drivers are different.

Understanding what these companies do can help investors evaluate the businesses behind the stock market performance figures.

1. Moderna (MRNA): 761.95% YTD Return

Moderna is a biotechnology company specializing in messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. Its research and development activities focus on vaccines and therapeutics across several medical fields, including infectious diseases and oncology.

With a 761.95% year-to-date return and a 935.82% one-year gain, Moderna is the standout performer in this ranking. Its exceptional performance makes the company an important example of how developments in biotechnology can influence investor expectations and stock valuations.

Investors evaluating Moderna should examine its clinical pipeline, regulatory developments, commercial opportunities, revenue outlook, cash position, and research spending.

Biotechnology investments can involve substantial uncertainty because clinical trial results and regulatory decisions may significantly affect a company’s prospects. Consequently, exceptionally high historical returns should be assessed alongside the risks associated with drug development.

2. SanDisk (SNDK): 251.78% YTD Return

SanDisk operates in the data storage industry and is known for flash memory and NAND-based storage solutions. Its products serve consumer, mobile, computing, and enterprise storage markets.

As digital data generation increases, storage technologies remain an important part of the global technology infrastructure. Demand for high-capacity storage solutions, enterprise applications, and advanced memory products can influence the company’s business outlook.

SanDisk’s 251.78% YTD gain places it second in the ranking. Investors should monitor NAND flash pricing, inventory levels, supply and demand conditions, capital expenditure, and competition within the memory industry.

3. Micron Technology (MU): 141.76% YTD Return

Micron Technology is one of the major semiconductor companies specializing in memory and storage products, including dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and NAND flash memory.

Its products are used in computers, smartphones, servers, and data-center infrastructure. Demand for high-performance computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure can influence the broader memory semiconductor market.

Micron has gained 141.76% year to date and 190.01% over one year. Investors evaluating the company should pay attention to memory pricing, supply conditions, inventory cycles, production capacity, and gross margins.

4. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD): 109.68% YTD Return

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) designs processors, graphics processing units (GPUs), and other semiconductor products used in personal computers, gaming systems, and data centers.

The company’s competitive position in high-performance computing and data-center markets makes it an important participant in the semiconductor industry.

AMD’s 109.68% YTD return reflects the strong performance recorded by the stock in the supplied ranking. Investors should consider product competitiveness, market share, data-center demand, operating margins, and competition when analyzing its future prospects.

5. CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD): 85.08% YTD Return

CrowdStrike Holdings is a cybersecurity company providing cloud-based security solutions through its Falcon platform.

Its technology helps organizations detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats across endpoints, cloud environments, and enterprise networks.

As businesses increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, cybersecurity remains an important area of corporate investment. CrowdStrike’s 85.08% YTD gain places it among the strongest performers in the Nasdaq-100 ranking.

Investors should examine subscription revenue growth, customer retention, recurring revenue, operating margins, competition, and valuation.

6. Palo Alto Networks (PANW): 70.38% YTD Return

Palo Alto Networks provides cybersecurity platforms and solutions designed to protect organizations against network, cloud, and digital security threats.

Its business operates in a market where companies are increasingly focused on protecting sensitive information, enterprise networks, and cloud infrastructure.

The stock has gained 70.38% year to date. Investors evaluating Palo Alto Networks should consider recurring revenue, platform adoption, customer spending, operating performance, and the competitive landscape.

7. Seagate Technology (STX): 67.40% YTD Return

Seagate Technology develops data storage products, particularly hard disk drives (HDDs), used in personal computing, enterprise systems, and large-scale data storage environments.

The expansion of cloud computing and data-center infrastructure creates demand for storage capacity and efficient data management solutions.

Seagate’s 67.40% YTD return makes it one of the strongest-performing storage technology companies in the ranking.

Investors should monitor demand for enterprise storage, product pricing, production costs, technology developments, and competition from alternative storage technologies.

8. Marvell Technology (MRVL): 66.16% YTD Return

Marvell Technology develops semiconductor solutions used in data centers, networking, storage, and communications infrastructure.

Its products support the movement and processing of data across increasingly complex computing systems. Demand for data-center connectivity and advanced semiconductor infrastructure is therefore relevant to its business outlook.

Marvell’s 66.16% YTD gain places it eighth in the ranking. Investors should evaluate its data-center business, product development, customer concentration, margins, and competitive positioning.

9. Texas Instruments (TXN): 59.87% YTD Return

Texas Instruments is a semiconductor manufacturer specializing in analog and embedded processing products.

Its chips are used in industrial equipment, automotive systems, communications devices, and a wide range of electronic products.

Unlike companies focused primarily on advanced computing processors, Texas Instruments has significant exposure to industrial and automotive semiconductor demand.

The stock has gained 59.87% year to date and 72.76% over one year. Investors should examine semiconductor demand cycles, inventory conditions, capital expenditure, manufacturing efficiency, and profitability.

10. Arm Holdings (ARM): 59.75% YTD Return

Arm Holdings develops semiconductor intellectual property and processor architectures that are licensed to companies designing chips for smartphones, computers, data centers, and other connected devices.

Its business model differs from traditional semiconductor manufacturers because it primarily generates revenue through licensing and royalties associated with its technology.

Arm’s 59.75% YTD return places it among the 10 best performers in the supplied ranking. Investors should consider licensing growth, royalty revenue, processor adoption, competition, and the company’s valuation.

Which Industries Are Leading the Nasdaq-100 Performance Ranking?

The 25 best-performing stocks in this ranking represent several different industries. Technology companies account for a substantial part of the list, but healthcare, travel, transportation, and industrial businesses also contribute to the ranking.

Semiconductors and Data Storage

Semiconductor and storage companies are particularly prominent among the top performers.

SanDisk, Micron Technology, AMD, Seagate Technology, Marvell Technology, Texas Instruments, Arm Holdings, Western Digital, Intel, Analog Devices, ASML, and Monolithic Power Systems operate in different parts of the semiconductor and data storage ecosystem.

These businesses are exposed to various industry trends, including computing demand, data-center investment, memory pricing, semiconductor manufacturing, networking, and industrial electronics.

Investors should remember that semiconductor companies can experience cyclical demand patterns. Strong returns during a favorable industry cycle do not necessarily indicate that the same growth rates will continue.

Cybersecurity and Software

Cybersecurity and software companies also feature prominently in the ranking. CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, and Datadog operate in different segments of the digital technology market.

As organizations expand their use of cloud infrastructure and digital services, demand for cybersecurity, monitoring, and software platforms remains an important area to watch.

However, investors should evaluate recurring revenue, customer retention, operating margins, competition, and valuation rather than relying solely on stock price appreciation.

Healthcare and Biotechnology

Moderna, Amgen, and Gilead Sciences represent the healthcare and biotechnology segment of the ranking.

These companies operate in different areas of healthcare, including mRNA technology, biotechnology research, pharmaceutical development, and commercial medicines.

Healthcare stocks can be influenced by clinical developments, regulatory decisions, patent protection, research spending, product demand, and reimbursement policies.

Travel, Transportation, and Industrial Businesses

Airbnb and Marriott International provide exposure to the travel and hospitality industry, while CSX represents freight transportation and railway operations.

Fastenal operates in industrial and construction supply distribution, providing products and services to businesses across several industries.

These companies are influenced by economic activity, consumer demand, corporate spending, travel trends, and industrial production.

YTD Return vs. 1-Year Return: Why Both Metrics Matter

When comparing the best-performing Nasdaq-100 stocks, investors should understand the difference between year-to-date returns and one-year performance.

What Is YTD Stock Performance?

Year-to-date (YTD) performance measures the percentage change in a stock’s price from the beginning of the calendar year to a specific date.

For example, if a stock starts the year at $100 and reaches $150 by November 6, its YTD price return is 50%.

This metric is useful for identifying which companies have generated the strongest returns during the current calendar year.

What Is a 1-Year Stock Return?

A one-year return measures the percentage change in a stock’s price over the preceding 12 months.

Unlike YTD performance, this measurement does not restart on January 1. It provides a rolling perspective on stock price performance over a full year.

Comparing both metrics can help investors understand whether a stock’s performance during the current year has been stronger or weaker than its performance over the preceding 12 months.

Datadog: An Example of Different Performance Trends

Datadog provides an interesting example in the 2026 ranking. Its YTD return is 31.66%, while its one-year return is -6.38%.

This means that the stock has generated a positive return since the beginning of 2026, despite recording a negative return over the broader one-year period.

This difference highlights why investors should not rely on a single performance measurement when analyzing stocks. The time period selected can significantly change how a company’s market performance is interpreted.

Lumentum: A Different Performance Pattern

Lumentum Holdings has gained 46.12% year to date, compared with a 124.31% one-year return.

Its one-year performance is considerably stronger than its YTD gain, suggesting that a significant portion of its price appreciation occurred before the beginning of 2026.

Comparing the two figures provides useful context, although it does not explain the underlying reasons for the stock’s price movements.

Should You Invest in the Best Performing Nasdaq-100 Stocks?

Stocks that have delivered substantial returns naturally attract attention from investors. However, a high YTD return does not automatically make a stock an attractive investment at its current price.

Investors should evaluate the financial condition of each company, its competitive position, future growth opportunities, and the risks associated with its industry.

1. Analyze Revenue and Earnings Growth

Strong revenue and earnings growth can support a company’s long-term investment case. Investors should review financial statements and examine whether the company’s business performance is improving alongside its share price.

Important indicators include revenue growth, earnings per share, operating margins, free cash flow, and return on invested capital.

2. Evaluate Valuation

A stock can be a strong-performing company and still be expensive relative to its future earnings potential.

Investors can compare valuation measures such as the price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-sales ratio, and enterprise value multiples with competitors and historical averages.

It is also important to consider whether current market prices already reflect optimistic growth expectations.

3. Understand Industry Risks

Different Nasdaq-100 companies face different risks. Semiconductor companies are exposed to supply-demand cycles and technological competition. Biotechnology businesses face clinical and regulatory uncertainty. Cybersecurity companies must continuously innovate to remain competitive.

Understanding these industry-specific risks can help investors make more informed decisions.

4. Avoid Chasing Stocks After Large Gains

Buying a stock simply because it has delivered an exceptional return can lead to poor investment decisions.

Investors should avoid fear of missing out (FOMO) and instead evaluate whether the current share price is justified by the company’s business prospects.

5. Consider Portfolio Diversification

Concentrating a portfolio in a small number of high-performing technology stocks can increase exposure to industry-specific risks.

Diversification across companies, industries, and asset classes can help reduce the impact of an unexpected decline in an individual stock.

6. Combine Different Stock Analysis Methods

Fundamental analysis can help investors evaluate financial performance and business quality, while technical analysis can provide information about price trends, momentum, and market behavior.

Combining these methods with industry research and risk management can provide a more comprehensive investment framework.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Performing Nasdaq-100 Stocks in 2026

1. What is the best-performing Nasdaq-100 stock in 2026?

According to the supplied ranking as of November 6, 2026, Moderna is the best-performing stock, with a year-to-date gain of 761.95%. Its one-year return is 935.82%.

2. Which Nasdaq-100 stock has the highest YTD return in 2026?

Moderna has the highest YTD return in the supplied list, followed by SanDisk with 251.78% and Micron Technology with 141.76%.

3. What are the top 5 performing Nasdaq-100 stocks in 2026?

The top five companies are Moderna (761.95%), SanDisk (251.78%), Micron Technology (141.76%), AMD (109.68%), and CrowdStrike Holdings (85.08%).

4. Which semiconductor stocks are among the top Nasdaq-100 performers?

Leading semiconductor and storage-related companies in the ranking include SanDisk, Micron Technology, AMD, Seagate Technology, Marvell Technology, Texas Instruments, Arm Holdings, Western Digital, Intel, Analog Devices, ASML, and Monolithic Power Systems.

5. Which cybersecurity stocks performed well in 2026?

CrowdStrike Holdings, Palo Alto Networks, and Fortinet are among the cybersecurity companies included in the ranking. Their YTD returns are 85.08%, 70.38%, and 49.65%, respectively.

6. What does YTD mean in stock market performance?

YTD stands for year-to-date. It measures how much a stock’s price has changed since the beginning of the calendar year. It is commonly used to compare stock market performance over the current year.

7. What is the difference between YTD and 1-year returns?

YTD return measures performance since January 1 of the current calendar year, while a one-year return measures performance over the preceding 12 months. These periods overlap but do not necessarily begin on the same date.

8. Is the Nasdaq-100 the same as the Nasdaq Composite?

No. The Nasdaq-100 tracks 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, while the Nasdaq Composite includes a much broader group of Nasdaq-listed stocks. Their constituent coverage and index methodologies are different.

9. Are the best-performing Nasdaq-100 stocks good investments?

Not necessarily. High historical returns do not guarantee future performance. Investors should evaluate financial fundamentals, valuation, business risks, and future growth prospects before making investment decisions.

10. Can a stock with a high YTD return continue to rise?

Yes, a stock can continue to appreciate after a strong performance, but it can also experience a correction. Future returns depend on company results, market expectations, economic conditions, and valuation.

11. Why is Moderna’s stock performance so high in 2026?

Moderna’s exceptional return in the supplied ranking makes it important to examine its business developments, clinical pipeline, regulatory environment, financial results, and investor expectations. The performance figures alone do not establish the reasons behind its share-price appreciation.

12. How often should investors review Nasdaq-100 stock rankings?

Investors can review performance rankings monthly or quarterly to monitor changes in market leadership. However, rankings should be treated as research tools rather than automatic buy or sell signals.

Conclusion: The Best Performing Nasdaq-100 Stocks in 2026

The 2026 Nasdaq-100 performance ranking highlights the diverse range of companies that have delivered strong stock market returns. Moderna leads the supplied list with an exceptional 761.95% YTD gain, followed by SanDisk and Micron Technology.

Semiconductor and data storage companies have a particularly strong presence among the leading performers. However, cybersecurity, healthcare, biotechnology, travel, transportation, and industrial businesses also feature in the top 25.

The comparison between YTD and one-year returns provides additional insight into how individual stocks have performed over different periods. Companies such as Datadog and Lumentum demonstrate why investors should consider multiple performance metrics rather than focusing exclusively on recent gains.

Ultimately, the best-performing stocks are not automatically the best investment opportunities. Investors should combine historical performance data with financial analysis, valuation, industry research, and risk management before making investment decisions.

 

Data reference date: November 6, 2026. This ranking is based on the supplied list of 25 stocks and their reported YTD and one-year percentage changes. Market prices and rankings can change over time.

 

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should conduct their own research and consider their financial objectives and risk tolerance before investing.