28 Stocks, 11 Investors: Massive Gains for Who at Year-End Finish Line?

About 3 months ago, as stocks started to stir, we asked 11 private Singaporean investors to share their picks, with a goal in mind: Select stocks that will finish 2024 with the biggest bang, ie the highest percentage gain. (The initial story: The bull looks strong. Here are 28 stock picks of 11 private investors) (The second story: 28 Stock Picks of Private Investors: 3 Skyrocket with 87%, 34%, and 31% Gains) The finish line has been reached, and the best 4 "winners" achieved jaw-dropping gains in 3 months:  1. Launch Tech (HK listed): +75.4% 2. Tesla (Nasdaq): 57.1% 3. Hims & Hers (New York Stock Exchange): +40.1% 4. TK Group (HK listed): +39.4% Here's a brief overview of the 4:  • Over on the HK Stock Exchange, Launch Tech (market cap: HK$3.8 billion) specializes in providing a wide range of products and services for the automotive aftermarket. These include advanced automotive diagnostic and testing technologies to clients (mostly motor workshops big and small) in over 200 countries. • Next is Tesla. Who hasn't heard of Tesla (market cap: US$1.3 trillion)? It's the world's largest producer of battery electric cars, but it is much more. Tesla is "the largest AI project on Earth," as a long-time Tesla bull and CEO of ARK Investment Management Cathie Wood describes it. Applying AI through its supercomputer Dojo, Tesla is on the verge of developing robotaxis and humanoid robots, and full self-driving (FSD) capability for its cars and trucks. • Next we have New York-listed Hims & Hers (market cap: US$5.3 billion), which is all about making healthcare accessible online, allowing users to consult with licensed healthcare professionals remotely. • TK Holdings (market cap: HK$2 billion) is involved in mold fabrication and plastic injection products.  Diversified customer base, including customers in automotive industry, smartphones, e-cigarettes, telecom equipment and medical products. Cash generative business model (high design element, low capex intensity) enables TK Group to pay consistent dividend and also build a cash pile of HK$1bn. As at 30th June 2024, its orderbook stood at HK$1.06bn (+24%).

How do you pick winners like these?

Warren Buffett famously advises, "It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price."

Meanwhile, Cathie Wood suggests focusing on disruptive innovation, saying, "Look for companies that are changing the way the world works." 

Their words remind us that research and long-term vision are key when choosing stocks.

The table below shows the rest of the 28 picks by the 11 investors.

They reflect the investors' diverse interests, diverse investing approaches and risk appetites. 

Those with double-digit gains are highlighted in yellow while the top 4 gainers, in brown.

The 28 stock picks from private investors showcased diverse approaches—some seemed to aim for steady gains, while others seemed to represent disruptive futures.

Whether you're inspired by Tesla's meteoric rise or intrigued by lesser-known gems like TK Group's consistent dividend payouts, investing is an art as much as it is a science.

Peter Lynch once said, "I think you have to learn that there's a company behind every stock, and that there's only one real reason why stocks go up. Companies go from doing poorly to doing well or small companies grow to large companies." 

So dive into your research, stay curious.