Top Stock Gainers May 2021 - Monthly Performance Ranked
The top US-listed stocks of May 2021 by monthly gain, on split-adjusted closes. Ranks 3,615 companies above $100M on NYSE, Nasdaq and NYSE American.
Looking for intraday moves instead? Today's stock movers ranks the current session's alert board, so it measures against whichever session is running rather than covering a fixed window.
Over May 2021, 55% of the 3,615 ranked companies finished higher and the median move was +0.6%; Basic Materials led on median (+4.6%) and Healthcare lagged (-2.1%).
The S&P 500 fund (SPY) moved +0.44% between its May 3, 2021 and May 28, 2021 closes.
Each ranked company's gain runs from its own first close inside the period, so a company listed later in the period is measured over a shorter window.
This page answers a current-month trend question with data: which US-listed stocks have shown the strongest price gains so far in May 2021. The ranking is based on observed market performance, not analyst ratings, price targets, or investment recommendations.
Use the list to research momentum, market breadth, sector strength, and catalysts behind large moves. Before acting on any stock, review the company's news, SEC filings, liquidity, volatility, and your own risk constraints.
Among the 3,615 NYSE, Nasdaq and NYSE American stocks currently eligible for this ranking, AMC (AMC ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, INC.) has the highest gain in May 2021 with +169%.
Following are JILL (+110%) and BBW (+86%).
Top performing sectors: Communication Services (+53% avg, 1 in top 10), Basic Materials (+43% avg, 4 in top 10), Consumer Cyclical (+38% avg, 2 in top 10).
This ranking shows the top performing stocks and biggest stock gainers during May 2021, calculated from the first to the last trading day of the month. It shows which stocks are going up this month, with split-adjusted data used for consistent performance calculations.
Monthly performance rankings can reveal price strength, sustained momentum, sector rotation, and event-driven moves that are not visible in one-day movers lists. The table is informational only and does not recommend any stock to buy, sell, or hold.
† Return measured from the start of the stock's current trading history (a recent listing or relisting), not from the start of the month.
Gains are computed on split-adjusted closes, so a split inside the month does not read as a move. This ranking is informational and is not investment advice.
What this ranking covers
Universe
US-listed companies on NYSE, Nasdaq and NYSE American.
Floors
Market cap of at least $100 million, and one close inside the month to measure from.
Exclusions
Stocks whose price history is under review are withheld, and their count is stated above.
Measured on
Split-adjusted closes, from the first close inside the month to the last one in it.
Refreshed
Rebuilt once the session behind those closes has settled. The date above the table names that session, not the moment the table was written.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhich stock has gained the most in May 2021?
A
AMC (AMC ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, INC.) has the highest monthly gain in this ranking for May 2021, with a gain of 169%. Top performers this month include AMC, JILL, BBW.
QWhat stocks gained the most in May 2021?
A
The biggest gainers in May 2021 were: AMC (+169%), JILL (+110%), BBW (+86%), TGLS (+81%), WRN (+64%). These monthly rankings show which stocks had the strongest short-term momentum.
QDoes this page recommend the best stocks to buy now?
A
No. This page is an informational ranking of stocks that have already gone up during May 2021. It does not make buy, sell, or hold recommendations and should be used as a research starting point, not financial advice.
QHow can this ranking help explain current stock market trends?
A
The ranking shows where price strength is concentrated during May 2021. Comparing the top gainers by sector, market cap, and recent catalysts can help identify momentum themes and market rotation without implying that any listed stock is a recommendation.
QWhich companies does this ranking include?
A
3,615 companies with a market capitalization above $100 million traded on NYSE, Nasdaq and NYSE American, each with at least one trading day inside May 2021. One close inside the month is enough to qualify, so a company that listed during the month is ranked on the part of it that it traded.
QWhich sectors performed best in May 2021?
A
The five highest-gaining companies in May 2021 sit in Communication Services, Consumer Cyclical, Basic Materials, with the leader AMC in Communication Services. That describes the top of this list, not a sector ranking; the market-context strip above the table reports the median move of each sector's ranked companies.
QHow is monthly stock performance calculated?
A
Monthly stock performance is calculated by comparing the closing price on the last trading day of the month to the closing price on its first trading day, both split-adjusted. A company whose trading history begins inside the month is measured from its first close.
QWhere can I find today's top stock gainers and most active stocks?
A
This page ranks stocks by their full-month performance in May 2021. For today's top stock gainers, real-time stock movers, and the most active stocks right now, visit our Momentum Scanner, which tracks live intraday activity across US-listed symbols.
Understanding Monthly Stock Performance
Monthly performance rankings reveal short-term momentum patterns and help identify stocks experiencing rapid price movements:
Momentum Research: Stocks showing strong monthly performance can help identify where market attention and price strength are concentrated.
Sector Rotation: Monthly rankings can reveal which sectors are gaining favor with investors and where market leadership is shifting.
Event-Driven Moves: Earnings releases, product launches, and regulatory approvals often create significant monthly price movements.
Using Monthly Data Effectively
Combine Timeframes: Compare monthly gainers with 52-week and YTD performance to identify stocks with both short and long-term momentum.
Research the Catalyst: Investigate why top monthly performers moved significantly. The reason for the move matters as much as the percentage gain.
Watch for Reversals: Extreme monthly gains sometimes precede corrections, so treat the ranking as a research starting point rather than a buy list.
Evaluate Your Positions
Researching one of this month's top movers? Use our Stock Return Calculator to review historical performance, or the Position Size Calculator to model position sizing and risk before making your own decision.
