2022 Recap: These Stocks Most Captivated Investors

To better understand 2022’s trading patterns, we have examined the Buy, Sell, and Hold transactions of the 597,601 investors who hold a TipRanks Smart Portfolio.

Stock prices fell in 2022 as a result of the record-high inflation rate and seven consecutive rate hikes by the U.S. Fed. Adding to investors’ woes, the uncertain economic environment and fear of recession further played spoilsport. However, this correction brought an excellent opportunity for investors to buy and hold shares of top companies at a discounted price. 

Most Bought Stocks

Investors with portfolios on TipRanks acquired tech stocks the most. Tech stocks traded (and are still trading) at significant discounts compared to their highs. The decline provided a solid entry point for retail investors in these high-growth stocks.

Topping the list of most-bought stocks is Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL). It dropped by 26.4% in 2022. Investors seized this opportunity to buy AAPL stock at a discount. Apple’s solid fundamentals, high customer loyalty, robust demand for its products, primarily the iPhone, and strong balance sheet position it well to deliver solid long-term gains. 

Tigress Financial analyst Ivan Feinseth reiterated his Buy recommendation on AAPL stock. While Feinseth sees production challenges as near-term headwinds, he is bullish about AAPL’s long-term prospects. He expects that AAPL will benefit from its large user base and momentum in the Services revenue. The analyst expects Apple to enhance shareholders’ returns through dividend increases and buybacks. 

AAPL stock commands a Strong Buy consensus rating on TipRanks, reflecting 22 Buys and five Holds. Analysts’ average price target of $176.70 implies 39.84% upside potential. 

Here is the full list of the 10 most-bought stocks in 2022:

1. Apple
2. Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)
3. Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) 
4. Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) 
5. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META)
6. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA)
7. Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)
8. Nio (NYSE:NIO)
9. Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) 
10. Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS)

Most Sold Stocks

Unsurprisingly, shares of tech companies were most sold in 2022. Valuation concerns, a normalization in demand post-pandemic peak, and uncertainty led market participants to dump tech stocks. Apple stock is once again at the top of the list, having sold the most in 2022. Nio stock followed AAPL.

Production challenges, cost headwinds, competition, and China’s tight COVID policy dragged NIO’s stock lower, which fell over 69% in 2022. 

Nio stock carries a Moderate Buy consensus rating on TipRanks based on nine Buys and four Holds. These analysts’ average price target of $16.14 implies 51.83% upside potential. 

Let’s look at the 10 most-sold stocks in 2022:

1. Apple 
2. Nio
3. Meta Platforms 
4. Tesla Nvidia 
5. Amazon 
6. Microsoft 
7. PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL)
8. Walt Disney 
9. Advanced Micro Devices 

Most Held Stocks

Thanks to the significant correction, investors used the opportunity to buy and hold shares of top companies to benefit from the recovery in their prices. The most-held stock list closely resembles the most-bought list, with Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) being the only new entrant.

The considerable decline in BABA stock and easing regulatory headwinds could have led investors to buy and hold BABA stock. Alibaba has a Strong Buy consensus rating on TipRanks, reflecting 14 unanimous Buy recommendations. Wall Street’s average price target of $134.43 implies 29.36% upside potential. 

Here is the full list of the 10 most-held stocks in 2022:

1. Apple 
2. Tesla 
3. Amazon 
4. Meta Platforms 
5. Microsoft 
6. Nvidia 
7. Alphabet 
8. Nio 
9. Alibaba
10. Walt Disney

We will come back with the most traded stocks from January. Meanwhile, investors can check how their portfolio is performing by creating a Smart Portfolio on TipRanks. 

Disclosure