Investors in large cap stocks can be pretty satisfied with their returns in 2017. In fact, the Russell 1000 index, which represents about 1,000 of the largest companies in the U.S. stock markets, has appreciated 19.34% in 2017, besides approximately 1.73% in dividend yield.

In this article, I will show the best and the worst performers among Russell 1000 stocks this year, and I will show 20 stocks that have a chance to perform well in 2018.

Best Performers

The table below presents the best 20 Russell 1000 performers in 2017, their market cap, sector and industry and the total return (price appreciation plus dividend yield) in 2017.

It can be seen from the table above that two sectors, Health Care and Information Technology have contributed by far the most companies among the gainers, seven companies each. The Consumer Discretionary sector had three companies among the 20 Russell 1000 best performers. No doubt that an investor in one of the 20 gainers could be very satisfied with a return of between 98% to 293% in one year.

Worst Performers

The table below presents the worst 20 Russell 1000 performers in 2017, their market cap, sector and industry and the total return (price appreciation plus dividend yield) in 2017.

The Consumer Discretionary sector contributed by far the most companies among the 20 Russell 1000 worst performers with seven companies. The Energy sector and the Health Care had three companies each among the 20 losers. Investors in one of the 20 worst performers should be quite disappointed losing between 30% to 76% when the broad large cap market has gained about 20%.

What Now?

Looking for the next large cap winners, I used the "All-Stars: Buffett" offered by Portfolio123. The ranking system is based on investing principles of the well-known investor Warren Buffett. The twenty top-ranked Russell 1000 companies according to the ranking system are shown in the table below.

It is worth noting that no Information Technology and Energy companies are included in the list.

Summary

The year 2017 has been very good for investors in large cap stocks. In fact, 782 companies of the Russell 1000 index have given a positive return in 2017, and the index has appreciated 19.34%, besides approximately 1.73% in dividend yield. Although there is no guarantee that large cap stocks would perform so well in 2018, the continued improvement in the economy and the U.S. tax reduction program make me believe that another good year for large cap stocks investors is ahead of us.