Stocks To Buy With Your Stimulus Savings

In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the global economy. A wide swath of businesses were hurt by the ensuing shutdowns and stay-at-home orders, which helped send the U.S. unemployment rate skyrocketing. In response to this economic calamity, the U.S. Congress passed a variety of stimulus packages in 2020 and 2021, flooding the economy with needed funds. This stimulus money not only helped prevent the economy from sinking into recession but also likely shortened the economic effects of the pandemic. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, investors poured funds into various stocks that seemed likely to recover sharply once the economy returned to normal.

Tips: 13 Investing Rules You Should Break During the Pandemic

To help determine which stocks have been — and may continue to be — pandemic winners, GOBankingRates analyzed the moves in S&P 500 stocks after each of the first three stimulus payouts.

While not all stocks have moved equally — and some have even lost ground at times during the process — each of these stocks has had a significant gain since the stimulus process began, with many posting triple-digit percentage jumps. If you’re looking for a stock to buy with your stimulus money, take a look at this list for some ideas, and consult with your financial advisor.

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $198.27
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $242.43
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $223.65
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $247.75
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $231.17
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $245.94

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 22.27%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 10.78%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 6.39%
• YoY Growth (%): 24.04%

Read: Investing for Beginners: What First-Time Investors Need To Know

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $33.26
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $49.51
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $72.58
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $75.78
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $71.03
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $72.03

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 48.86%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 4.41%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 1.41%
• YoY Growth (%): 116.57%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $32.52
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $41.25
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $44.63
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $52.88
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $54.59
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $54.26

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 26.85%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 18.49%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): -0.60%
• YoY Growth (%): 66.85%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $12.59
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $11.50
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $38.82
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $41.43
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $55.85
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $60.54

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): -8.66%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 6.72%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 8.40%
• YoY Growth (%): 380.86%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $84.26
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $109.18
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $185.19
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $194.60
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $205.60
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $218.46

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 29.58%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 5.08%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 6.25%
• YoY Growth (%): 159.27%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $44.00
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $44.43
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $39.66
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $50.68
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $51.52
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $52.54

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 0.98%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 27.79%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 1.98%
• YoY Growth (%): 19.41%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $38.06
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $44.59
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $45.48
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $51.98
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $45.98
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $49.20

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 17.16%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 14.29%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 7.00%
• YoY Growth (%): 29.27%

More: The Complete Guide to ETFs

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $9.06
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $10.34
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $9.84
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $11.91
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $13.60
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $13.98

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 14.13%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 21.04%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 2.79%
• YoY Growth (%): 54.30%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $90.15
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $111.03
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $226.99
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $253.56
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $310.78
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $316.00

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 23.16%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 11.71%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 1.68%
• YoY Growth (%): 250.53%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $62.47
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $74.57
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $102.58
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $112.31
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $108.58
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $118.19

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 19.37%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 9.49%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 8.85%
• YoY Growth (%): 89.19%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $33.83
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $43.82
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $68.65
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $81.12
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $76.89
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $77.10

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 29.53%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 18.16%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 0.27%
• YoY Growth (%): 127.90%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $159.34
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $192.63
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $378.01
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $451.96
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $551.63
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $544.61

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 20.89%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 19.56%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): -1.27%
• YoY Growth (%): 241.79%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $30.18
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $39.63
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $50.24
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $56.44
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $56.24
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $59.73

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 31.31%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 12.34%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 6.21%
• YoY Growth (%): 97.91%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $6.29
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $10.76
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $15.35
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $17.20
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $24.64
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $22.70

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 71.07%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 12.05%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): -7.87%
• YoY Growth (%): 260.89%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $6.20
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $8.85
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $24.63
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $27.79
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $37.47
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $34.99

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 42.74%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 12.83%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): -6.62%
• YoY Growth (%): 464.35%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $23.87
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $36.22
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $47.63
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $60.31
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $84.04
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $75.81

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 51.74%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 26.62%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): -9.79%
• YoY Growth (%): 217.60%

Read: The Top 10 Stocks for 2021

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $21.38
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $22.45
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $41.66
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $51.04
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $56.33
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $59.82

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 5.00%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 22.52%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 6.20%
• YoY Growth (%): 179.79%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $9.90
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $11.58
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $21.61
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $27.21
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $33.45
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $33.31

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 16.97%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 25.91%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): -0.42%
• YoY Growth (%): 236.46%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $35.13
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $38.03
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $48.20
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $48.99
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $54.41
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $67.68

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 8.26%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 1.64%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 24.39%
• YoY Growth (%): 92.66%

Read: 25 Pandemic-Proof Stocks

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $4.86
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $10.50
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $14.21
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $14.94
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $21.89
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $19.48

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 116.05%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 5.14%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): -11.01%
• YoY Growth (%): 300.82%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $58.93
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $74.97
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $91.00
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $121.29
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $132.97
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $133.24

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 27.22%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 33.29%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 0.20%
• YoY Growth (%): 126.10%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $38.67
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $69.28
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $178.12
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $202.41
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $220.84
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $215.41

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 79.16%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 13.64%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): -2.46%
• YoY Growth (%): 457.05%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $102.87
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $159.75
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $663.69
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $835.43
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $699.60
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $654.87

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 55.29%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 25.88%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): -6.39%
• YoY Growth (%): 536.60%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $17.16
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $20.70
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $25.82
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $34.92
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $56.86
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $66.00

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 20.63%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 35.24%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 16.07%
• YoY Growth (%): 284.62%

• CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $12.79
• Month after CARES ACT Signed Share Price: $16.98
• Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $36.73
• Month after Second Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $50.61
• Third Stimulus Package Signed Share Price: $86.28
• March 19, 2021 Share Price: $97.35

• 1st Stimulus Growth (%): 32.76%
• 2nd Stimulus Growth (%): 37.79%
• 3rd Stimulus Growth (%): 12.83%
• YoY Growth (%): 661.14%

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Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only.

Methodology: GOBankingRates used Google Finance data to analyze all components of the S&P 500 index, downloaded from Barchart. For each component, GOBankingRates found (1) the March 27, 2020 closing price (date of 1st stimulus package being signed), (2) the April 27, 2020 closing price, (3) the December 28, 2020 closing price (first Monday after the second stimulus package was signed), (4) the January 28, 2021 closing price; (5) the March 11, 2021 closing price (date of third stimulus package being signed); and (6) the March 19, 2021 closing price. With these six closing prices acquired, GOBankingRates then found the (7) one month percent change in closing price for the first stimulus; (8) one month percent change in closing price for the second stimulus; (9) the week percent change in closing price for the third stimulus; and (10) the nearly year-over-year change in closing price from March 27, 2020 to March 19, 2021. GOBankingRates then scored and combined factors (7) through (10), with the lowest score being best to determine final rankings. In calculating final rankings, factor (10) was weighted half as heavily as the other factors. All data was gathered on and up to date as of March 22, 2021.