Passengers Are Broke. Drivers Got Paid.🚗

Today's number is... 1.81%

1.81% is the average year-to-date return of an S&P 500 stock in 2025.

Here’s the chart:

Let's break down what the chart shows:

• The gray bar illustrates the average stock in the S&P 500's year-to-date return.
• The green and red bars represent the average year-to-date stock returns by sector for the S&P 500.

The Takeaway: The S&P 500 hasn't exactly advanced much in 2025.

It’s up just 2.11% year-to-date.

And the average stock is doing even less, sitting at 1.81%.

This isn’t the kind of backdrop where you can throw darts and expect to win.

It’s been a high-volatility, choppy, and highly selective environment.

Average stock returns across sectors paint a messy picture. 

The average stock in Energy and Consumer Discretionary is down nearly 3%.

Even the traditionally strong Technology sector has seen average returns of just 4.5%.

Communication Services and Utilities lead the way with gains around 7%.

Forget a broad rally — this market’s been all about a few standout names.

That’s where the money’s been made.

Palantir is up over 74% this year. 

NRG Energy has surged nearly 72%.

GE, Uber, and Netflix have all posted gains north of 40%. 

These are the outliers — not the average experience.

If you’ve been leaning on the market to do the heavy lifting, it’s been a frustrating ride. 

But if you’ve been tactical — focused on relative strength, sector rotation, and standout setups — this market has rewarded your discipline.

This is a stock picker’s market — plain and simple.

The edge lies in precision.

The passengers aren’t getting paid. The drivers are.

Are you riding the index — or driving performance?

Let me know! 

Grant Hawkridge | Chief Aussie Operator, All Star Charts

Need a full trading toolkit that actually helps you make moves? All Star Charts Premium gives you daily trade ideas, proprietary scans, and access to our entire analyst team. If you're serious about leveling up your strategy, start here. 

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