The majority of broker-dealer stocks have not outperformed the Dow Jones and S&P indexes year to date as of Wednesday, though there are some notable exceptions.
The NYSE ARCA Securities Broker-Dealer Index (^XBD) is up about 5% so far in 2010 vs. 10%-plus gains in the major market indexes.
Several brokers, though, have significantly beaten the returns of the broker-dealer index, such as Ameriprise Financial (AMP) and Raymond James Financial (RJF). Many BDs, though, are lagging the industry index.
The best performing broker-dealer to date in 2010 is Investors Capital (ICH), which is up more than 200%. It started the year at about $1.55 per share and now trades at roughly $4.50.
Another stock trading under $10, Citigroup (C), has moved up about 44%, from roughly $3.40 in early January to $4.73 today.
Stocks Above $10
For stocks trading above $10 a share, Ameriprise tops the list. It has improved about 50% to trade near $58.
Raymond James, which released its November operating results on Wednesday, is up about 40% so far this year and is trading at $33.
Wirehouse broker-dealer Wells Fargo (WFC) is trading above $31, a jump of about 15%, putting it ahead of the Dow and S&P. Rival UBS, which trades at $16.54, has risen about 5% this year – putting it on par with the broker-dealer index.
