The Best Stock Ideas Of December

The S&P 500 declined by a modest 1.2 percent in December, finishing off a 2015 that saw very little change from start to finish. The index finished 2015 down 0.73 percent.

However, several stocks closed out the year with a bang. Here are the five best-performing S&P 500 stocks of the past month.

5. Baxalta Inc BXLT

Shares surged 13.9 percent over the past month as the company nears a buyout deal by Shire PLC (ADR) SHPG. Baxalta finished the year up more than 15 percent.

4. Darden Restaurants, Inc. DRI

Darden capped off a strong 2015 with a strong earnings beat in December that sent the stock higher by 14.4 percent on the month. Darden finished the year up 13 percent.

3. Whole Foods Market, Inc. WFM

After an abysmal 2015, Whole Foods finished the year on a high note, rebounding 15.8 percent on the month. Despite the December ITG Market Research report projecting a Q1 earnings beat for Whole Foods, the stock still finished 2015 down about 33 percent on the year.

Related Link: The Worst Stock Ideas Of December

2. First Solar, Inc. FSLR

First Solar led the solar surge in December following proposed legislation to extend crucial tax credits for solar and wind energy. First Solar climbed 18.5 percent in December and finished the year up nearly 50 percent.

1. Keurig Green Mountain Inc GMCR

When it comes to the best-performing stock of December, Keurig blows the competition out of the water. The stock skyrocketed 71.9 percent on news of a $13.9 billion buyout by German company JAB Holding, a move dwarfing the competition and making Keurig Green Mountain the best stock idea of December.

Disclosure: the author holds no position in the stocks mentioned.