How do you think the market has performed so far this year?
If you said it had gone nowhere, you'd be right.
Since the start of 2016, the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is up 2.5%. Not exactly a great return – around the same level as term deposits for much more volatility.
Add in dividends (if reinvested) though, and the return rises to 5.8%, according to S&P Down Jones data.
But thrashing both those returns are the returns of a number of stocks on the ASX.
| Company | Last Price | Market Cap ($m) | Gain |
| Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY) | $0.41 | $724.2 | 1,250% |
| Resolute Mining Limited (ASX: RSG) | $2.02 | $93.6 | 648% |
| St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) | $2.94 | $1,462.2 | 342% |
| Infigen Energy Ltd (ASX: IFN) | $0.99 | $286.0 | 302% |
| Audio Pixels Holdings Ltd (ASX: AKP) | $24.25 | $652.2 | 239% |
| Saracen Mineral Holdings Limited (ASX: SAR) | $1.38 | $1,108.5 | 231% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $0.56 | $637.9 | 217% |
| Vita Group Limited (ASX: VTG) | $5.25 | $796.1 | 214% |
| Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) | $10.08 | $984.6 | 188% |
| Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME) | $6.28 | $642.5 | 185% |
Source: Google, S&P Global Market Intelligence
Galaxy Resources and Pilbara Minerals have benefitted from the expected massive increase in demand for lithium – which is used in batteries used to power everything from smartphones to electric cars.
Gold stocks, Resolute Mining, St Barbara and Saracen Minerals have all profited thanks to strong gold prices, a falling Australian dollar and strong margins. As a result, a number of Australian gold miners are even paying dividends -something almost unheard of.
Infigen has benefitted from the sale of its US businesses resulting in $100 extra cash, lower debt levels and strong growth in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).
Audio Pixels Holdings has seen its share price rocket in the past 5 months, with the market anticipating the commercialisation of the company's digital speakers.
And last but not least, the remaining three companies in the list, Vita Group, Webjet and Pro Medicus, have all benefitted from strong growth in their respective businesses over the past year. I'd tip them to improve on this year's results in 2017.
