20 Stocks Soared While Markets Crashed in March - Here's Why

While most investors lost money in March, some stocks actually gained more than 10%. Here's what happened and why it matters for your portfolio.

The overall stock market (a collection of major companies) had a rough March, falling 6.6%. This means if you had $1,000 invested in a typical stock market fund, it would be worth about $934 by month's end. However, 20 companies bucked this trend and actually gained value.

Why did these stocks rise? The answer lies in global conflict. After the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, oil prices shot up 54% in just one month. When oil becomes more expensive, companies that produce or refine oil make more money. Here are the biggest winners:

• Energy companies like APA (+44%), Occidental Petroleum (+24%), and Marathon Petroleum (+24%) • Chemical companies like LyondellBasell (+43%) and Dow (+35%) • Fertilizer companies like CF Industries (+38%)

The energy sector (group of oil and gas companies) was the only sector to gain in March, rising 12.6%. Meanwhile, 87% of all stocks fell during the month. Some sectors got hit particularly hard, with industrial companies (manufacturers and airlines) dropping 10.2%.

What this means for beginners: When global tensions rise, especially in oil-producing regions, energy stocks often benefit from higher prices. However, this also means higher costs for consumers at the gas pump and for everyday goods. While these 20 stocks provided shelter from the market storm, remember that what goes up quickly can also fall quickly.

This is an AI-generated summary. Read the original article at: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/20-stocks-that-bucked-the-stock-markets-decline-in-march-with-double-digit-gains-ad396fc6?mod=mw_rss_topstories