Best December stocks to buy for 2024

By:

Cory Mitchell

Cory was a Market Analyst for Invezz and has been a professional trader since 2005. Over the years he has contributed to some of the best... read more.

 & 

James Knight

James is the Editor of Education for Invezz, where he covers topics from across the financial world, from the stock market, to cryptocurrency, to macroeconomic markets.... read more.

Updated: Sep 22, 2023

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Seasonality is the study of how assets perform at certain times of the year. The stocks below have shown a strong tendency to rise in December and have proven to be the best stocks to buy around the festive period.

In this article, our experts pick out the best stocks for December that regularly provide solid gains at the end of the year and offer a great chance of long term growth to boot.

What are the best stocks to buy in December 2024?

Our analysts have selected the best fifteen stocks to invest in before Christmas. You can find the list of stock picks from our panel of experts in the table below. You can click each one’s ticker for up-to-date stock price information or continue reading to learn more.

Best stocks to invest in before Christmas

Christmas stocks with 93% rally rate

1. Unilever PLC (UL)

• Unilever is the top stock for December performance
• The price has rallied 19 out of 25 years, or 76%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 4.16%.
• In the rising months (25) the average gain has been: 4.66%.
• In declining months (2) the average loss is -2.13%.
• Biggest gain is 13.98%, and biggest drop is -3.94%.
• One of the biggest UK businesses by market cap

Unilever is a big favourite among UK investors. It’s a company that ticks all the fundamental boxes, with a large product range, an attractive dividend, and a business that’s generally resistant to passing trends. Along with being one of the best stocks to buy in December, it offers great long term potential as well, particularly for income investors. UL comes with a strong dividend yield and owns a large market share in the FMCG space.

2. The Southern Company (SO)

• Price has rallied 23 out of 27 years, or 85%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 3.54%.
• In the rising months (23) the average gain has been: 4.47%.
• In declining months (4) the average loss is -1.8%.
• Biggest gain is 11.39%, and biggest drop is -3.52%.

The Southern Company is a utility company based in the United States. It has a diverse energy portfolio, including natural gas, nuclear, coal, and renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Another high yield dividend stock, The Southern Company is one of the leading providers of energy facilities in the energy sector and offers strong earnings that make it an attractive option for long term investors.

3. Gentex Corporation (GNTX)

• Average December gain, for all years, is 8%.
• In the rising months (23) the average gain has been: 10.93%.
• In declining months (4) the average loss is -8.81%.
• Biggest gain is 48.52%, and biggest drop is -14.56%.
• Price has rallied 23 out of 27 years, or 85%.

Gentex specialises in advanced electronics and electro-optical products for the automotive, aerospace, and fire protection industries. Its innovative products, including auto-dimming rearview mirrors with features like HomeLink and SmartBeam, make it a player in cutting-edge technology sectors. Investors often seek companies with strong financials and underlying business strength, and Gentex has a strong track record of profitability and financial strength.

Best December stocks with 81% Rally Rate

4. RTX Corporation (RTX)

• Price has rallied 22 out of 27 years, or 81%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 3.99%.
• In the rising months (22) the average gain has been: 5.67%.
• In declining months (5) the average loss is -3.39%.
• Biggest gain is 15.07%, and biggest drop is -5.54%.

RTX Corporation is a holding company that exists as a result of the merger between Raytheon Technologies and United Technologies. Another high yield dividend stock, RTX operates in various high-tech sectors, including aerospace, defence, and building technologies. Its diverse portfolio can provide stability by reducing reliance on a single industry.

5. UnitedHealth Group (UNH)

• Price has rallied 22 out of 27 years, or 81%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 4.81%.
• In the rising months (22) the average gain has been: 6.63%.
• In declining months (5) the average loss is -3.22%.
• Biggest gain is 26.63%, and biggest drop is -5.29%.

UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest and most diversified healthcare companies in the United States. It operates across various segments, including health insurance, pharmacy benefit management, and healthcare services, providing investors exposure to a critical and resilient industry.

The company’s health insurance division, UnitedHealthcare, generates a substantial and consistent stream of revenue from premiums paid by policyholders. This dependable income source helps to deliver solid gains for income investors or anyone interested in a healthcare stock.

6. Stryker Corporation (SYK)

• Price has rallied 22 out of 27 years, or 81%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 6.16%.
• In the rising months (22) the average gain has been: 8.26%.
• In declining months (5) the average loss is -3.06%.
• Biggest gain is 34.36%, and biggest drop is -5.17%.

Stryker is a healthcare stock that’s a global leader in the medical technology industry, specialising in orthopaedic devices, medical and surgical equipment, and neurotechnology. Its reputation for innovation and quality products, along with its large market share and positive annual earnings are perfect for investors seeking exposure to the healthcare sector.

7. Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG)

• Price has rallied 22 out of 27 years, or 81%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 4.33%.
• In the rising months (22) the average gain has been: 5.72%.
• In declining months (5) the average loss is -1.78%.
• Biggest gain is 19.17%, and biggest drop is -4.58%.

Public Service Enterprise Groups is an electricity and natural gas producer based in the United States. It is primarily focused on the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity and natural gas. PSEG is known for its significant presence in the energy markets of New Jersey and New York.

8. Old Republic International (ORI)

• Price has rallied 22 out of 27 years, or 81%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 4.9%.
• In the rising months (22) the average gain has been: 6.64%.
• In declining months (5) the average loss is -2.77%.
• Biggest gain is 23.51%, and biggest drop is -5.86%.

Old Republic International is known for its expertise in title insurance and related services, which play a crucial role in the real estate industry by safeguarding property rights and ensuring smooth real estate transactions. The company has a long history and a strong reputation for financial stability and reliability.

9. MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG)

• Price has rallied 21 out of 26 years, or 81%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 9.55%.
• In the rising months (21) the average gain has been: 13.51%.
• In declining months (5) the average loss is -7.09%.
• Biggest gain is 52%, and biggest drop is -11.51%.

As one of the largest private mortgage insurance providers in the country, MGIC plays a significant role in the housing and real estate industry. MGIC has a strong financial position and a history of providing reliable mortgage insurance services to the mortgage industry.

10. Exelon Corporation (EXC)

• Price has rallied 22 out of 27 years, or 81%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 3.31%.
• In the rising months (22) the average gain has been: 4.35%.
• In declining months (5) the average loss is -1.22%.
• Biggest gain is 9.16%, and biggest drop is -2.12%.

Exelon is one of the largest electric utility holding companies in the United States, serving millions of customers across several states. The company operates a diverse portfolio of energy assets, including nuclear, natural gas, wind, solar, and hydroelectric power generation facilities. Exelon is known for its commitment to clean energy and sustainability, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy sources, which might set it up for another impressive gain in December.

11. Cooper Tire and Rubber Company (CTB)

• Price has rallied 22 out of 27 years, or 81%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 5.98%.
• In the rising months (22) the average gain has been: 8.3%.
• In declining months (5) the average loss is -4.25%.
• Biggest gain is 30.36%, and biggest drop is -9.64%.

12. The Chubb Corporation (CB)

• Price has rallied 22 out of 27 years, or 81%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 4.04%.
• In the rising months (22) the average gain has been: 5.89%.
• In declining months (5) the average loss is -4.09%.
• Biggest gain is 17.56%, and biggest drop is -13.44%.

13. Aetna Inc. (AET)

• Price has rallied 22 out of 27 years, or 81%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 5.05%.
• In the rising months (22) the average gain has been: 7.03%.
• In declining months (5) the average loss is -3.68%.
• Biggest gain is 30.6%, and biggest drop is -5.9%.

December stocks with 80% win rate

14. The Wendy’s Company (WEN)

• Price has rallied 20 out of 25 years, or 80%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 4.18%.
• In the rising months (20) the average gain has been: 6.07%.
• In declining months (5) the average loss is -3.41%.
• Biggest gain is 22.87%, and biggest drop is -5.54%.

15. Express Scripts Holding Company (ESRX)

• Price has rallied 22 out of 25 years, or 80%.
• Average December gain, for all years, is 7.37%.
• In the rising months (20 the average gain has been: 10.29%.
• In declining months (5) the average loss is -4.34%.
• Biggest gain is 36.54%, and biggest drop is -9.34%.

What is the typical seasonal performance of top stocks in December?

Stocks as a whole, as gauged by S&P 500 index, tend to do well during Christmas. Over the last 20 years, the index has moved higher 75% of the time (number on top of December column), and moved up by an average of 1.5% (number at bottom of December column).

Where to buy the best performing stocks for December?

If you want to buy stocks that usually go up in December, you’ll first need to sign up with a broker. In the table below you can find a list of platforms selected by our panel of experts. In our opinion, they are the best places to buy December stocks due to their extensive offer of stock assets and unique conditions.

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Strong seasonality stocks for December 2024

The statistics above are based on the historic monthly opening and closing prices. Therefore, gains or losses within the month may be larger than those disclosed below. For example, a statistic may say the biggest rally on a monthly basis was 15%, but during the month the stock could have been up 20%, but dropped to only finish the month up 15% (intra-month losses could also be bigger). This is why it is also recommended traders combine these statistics with other strategies, which help control risk and lock in profits.

Buying at the open and close of the month is also somewhat arbitrary. There are more precise times to take trades. Focus on seasonal opportunities that align with strategies you are already using.

This is the raw data. How you interpret it, and what you opt to do with it, is up to you. All stocks do at least 500K in average daily volume. All stocks with an average or median gains of less than 3% have been excluded.

While everyone wants to find a potentially huge winner with significant upside, seasonality is best used in conjunction with other forms of analysis and specific trading strategies.

Do stocks go up in December?

Traditionally, December is a good month for the stock market. On average, the S&P 500 is up most of the time in December, which is regularly one of the best months of the year. Part of the reason for this is that fund managers often buy top performing stocks in December to make their portfolio returns look better at year-end.

There’s no guarantee that this practice will hold every year, however. December 2024 may be different. And not every stock goes up at the same time; you still need to consider the underlying business performance, such as how much free cash flow a company has, its dividend yield, sales growth, and profit margins, and use its third quarter results to decide whether the share price represents value.

Final word on the best Christmas stocks

Each stock has a different risk profile. While the ‘average gain’ statistic is a key metric, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Making 7% may seem attractive but when looking at the volatility over the entire year it may be more than you are willing to handle. Therefore, look at all the financial market data when deciding what to trade. Also, apply other technical and fundamental metrics to help zero-in on exact entry and exit points.

For instance, you want to consider the wider economic conditions. When the stock market as a whole is falling, in what’s known as a ‘bear market’, it might not be a great time to invest. Current market conditions are affected by rising interest rates, which has seen investors move out of riskier assets into hard cash and more stable investments. You need to consider how these factors might affect Christmas stocks which normally do well in December.

Losing trades WILL happen, even when you trade the top stocks. Don’t risk more than 1% of your trading account on a trade (risk = difference between entry price and stop loss price, multiplied by the number of shares). There is always a risk in trading, and you can lose much more than you expect (even when you think you are only risking 1%).

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article should not be viewed as investment advice, and they are not a recommendation for you to buy or sell. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance.