Top 10 Blue-Chip Stocks by 1-Year Performance (to February 2026)

Here’s the Top Blue-Chip Stocks by 1-Year Performance (to Feb 2026) — sorted from highest to lowest approximate % return among large-cap, established companies:

Highest to Lowest 1-Year Return (Approx.)

1. Micron Technology (MU) — ~+321% (TradingView)
   One of the strongest mega-cap performers, driven by AI-related memory demand and semiconductor cycle rebound.

2. Lam Research (LRCX) — ~+150–170%
   Semiconductor equipment leader benefiting from AI data-center capex expansion.

3. Intel (INTC) — ~+100–120%
   Major turnaround year with strong rebound performance among large-cap tech.

4. NVIDIA (NVDA) — ~+40–50%
   Continued AI leadership and strong data-center revenue growth; outperformed most mega-cap peers.

5. Alphabet (GOOGL) — ~+25–35%
   Solid gains from advertising resilience and AI integration.

6. Apple (AAPL) — ~+18–22%
   Steady performance, supported by services growth and ecosystem strength.

7. Visa (V) — ~+15–20%
   Benefited from global payment volume growth and consumer spending stability.

8. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) — ~+10–18%
   Strongest among major banks, supported by higher interest margins and resilient earnings.

9. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) — ~+10–15%
   Defensive healthcare name with stable, moderate growth.

10. Microsoft (MSFT) — ~0–10%
    Positive but more modest 1-year return relative to semiconductor peers; remains a core AI/cloud blue chip.

🧠 What Makes These Blue-Chip Picks

Blue-chip criteria here include:

✔ Large market cap and long operating history (many decades)
✔ Inclusion in major indices like S&P 500 / Nasdaq / Dow
✔ Stable cash flows and competitive position
✔ Strong recent 1-year stock performance relative to peers

Examples:

• Micron (MU) — Dramatic memory and semiconductor demand gains propelled a standout year.

• Lam Research (LRCX) — Benefited from robust capital spending in chips.

• Intel (INTC) — Surprising turnaround from prior years’ lows.

• Alphabet (GOOGL) — Continued AI and ad-tech strength.

• GE and Oracle — Demonstrated strong sector-specific rebounds or transformations.

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🧩 Tips for Using This List

✔ Performance is historical: 1-yr gains don’t guarantee future returns.
✔ Diversify: Combine different sectors (tech, industrials, financials).
✔ Blue chips tend to be less volatile than speculative small-caps.
✔ If you want dividend-focused blue chip picks next, just ask! 

Key Takeaways

• Semiconductor & AI infrastructure stocks dominate the top ranks (MU, LRCX, INTC, NVDA).

• Mega-cap tech icons (GOOGL, AAPL, MSFT) delivered positive but comparatively moderate gains.

• Financials and healthcare blue chips provided steadier, lower-volatility returns.