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Monthly Market Recap: Top Gainers and Losers in May 2025
May 2025 ended with the S&P 500 up 1.88%, its strongest monthly gain since late 2023.
Portfolio Parrot
June 01, 2025
While macro headlines focused on AI momentum and tariff uncertainties, the real story unfolded at the individual stock level, where a handful of companies either soared or stumbled.
Here’s a breakdown of the month’s biggest winners and losers, based on available end-of-April figures and updated weekly data from major financial platforms.
Top Gainers in May 2025
S&P 500 Leaders (Year-to-Date Performance)
As of April 30, these stocks led the index and continued their run into May:
Ticker | Company | YTD Performance |
|---|---|---|
PLTR | Palantir Technologies | +56.6% |
CVS | CVS Health | +48.6% |
PM | Philip Morris International | +42.4% |
NEM | Newmont Corp. | +41.5% |
VRSN | VeriSign | +36.3% |
Palantir’s continued growth reflects investor confidence in its AI and government contracts. Newmont benefited from record gold prices, while Philip Morris gained amid strong emerging market sales.
High-Growth Stocks (30-Day Return)
Outside the S&P 500, smaller-cap names posted staggering gains:
Ticker | Company | 30-Day Return |
|---|---|---|
CEP | Cantor Equity Partners | +295.8% |
EPWK | EPWK Holdings Ltd. | +291.7% |
RGC | Regencell Bioscience Holdings | +142.9% |
NUTX | Nutex Health Inc. | +120.4% |
ZYBT | Zhengye Biotechnology Holding | +78.3% |
These gains were driven by niche biotech breakthroughs and speculative flows, particularly in microcap and healthcare stocks.
Late-May Standouts
Daily data from May 30 added more names to the list of top performers:
Ulta Beauty (ULTA): +11.78% in one day, following an upbeat earnings revision.
Zscaler (ZS) and MP Materials (MP): Both jumped ~10%, reflecting strength in cybersecurity and rare earth sectors, respectively.
Top Losers in May 2025
S&P 500 Underperformers (YTD Declines)
Ticker | Company | YTD Decline |
|---|---|---|
DECK | Deckers Outdoor | -45.4% |
TER | Teradyne | -41.1% |
NCLH | Norwegian Cruise Line | -37.7% |
ON | ON Semiconductor | -37.0% |
CRL | Charles River Labs | -35.7% |
High-growth names like ON and Teradyne suffered from cooling demand in semis, while Deckers declined sharply post-earnings.
Worst Weekly Performers (May 30 Data)
Ticker | Company | Weekly Loss |
|---|---|---|
NTLA | Intellia Therapeutics | -25.2% |
GAP | Gap Inc. | -21.6% |
PDD | Pinduoduo | -19.1% |
GDS | GDS Holdings | -17.0% |
REGN | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals | -16.7% |
The common threads were biotech volatility, earnings misses, and weakening China demand.
Sector Laggards
Energy declined 0.34% in May, weighed down by falling crude prices (WTI ended near $60.90).
Despite gold's record highs, basic Materials barely broke even at +0.42%.
Market Themes & Context
AI and cybersecurity continue to lead growth narratives. Palantir, CrowdStrike, and Zscaler were all primary beneficiaries.
Healthcare showed extreme bifurcation—Agilon gained over 120% YTD, while Intellia and Regeneron suffered double-digit weekly losses.
Consumer Discretionary remained unpredictable. Ulta surged on strong earnings; Gap tumbled despite efforts to revamp its brand.
Summary Table
Category | Top Gainers | Top Losers |
|---|---|---|
S&P 500 | PLTR, CVS, PM, NEM, VRSN | DECK, TER, NCLH, ON, CRL |
Growth Stocks | CEP, EPWK, RGC, NUTX, ZYBT | — |
Weekly (US) | ULTA, ZS, MP | NTLA, GAP, PDD, GDS, REGN |
Final Thoughts
The S&P 500's modest gain in May masked sharp divergences beneath the surface. AI and defensives outperformed, while solar, semiconductors, and select biotechs bore the brunt of investor caution. As markets recalibrate for a shifting macro landscape, May served as a reminder: sector and stock-level selection matter more than ever.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research or speak to a qualified professional before investing.
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