Looking back, 2024 was quite an interesting year for those who knew exactly where to put their money. At the beginning of that year, the markets were in full recovery, and everyone was talking about which would be the best stocks of 2024. I myself was analyzing which companies were truly worth following.

Alphabet was one of those that definitely caught attention. The company grew 58% year over year, and its AI positioning with Gemini was virtually inevitable. What impressed me most was how it maintained a free cash flow of over $77 billion while expanding its ecosystem. Google, YouTube, Android... those businesses continued to be money-making machines. Its P/E ratio was at 29, much lower than the sector average, so there was room.

But if we talk about companies with explosive potential in 2024, Nvidia was practically a must-have in any tech portfolio. With nearly 90% of the AI chip market, demand simply didn't stop. The 239% growth in 2023 extended into 2024. Anyone following the artificial intelligence scene knew Nvidia was the pick in the gold rush.

Novo Nordisk was another that surprised. The anti-obesity drug sector was taking off like crazy. Ozempic became a nearly common word in health conversations. The market projected that anti-obesity drugs would reach $44 billion by 2030, and Novo Nordisk was perfectly positioned. They grew 57% in 2023 and maintained momentum in 2024.

Berkshire Hathaway, under Warren Buffett, continued to be that safe haven many sought. With $157 billion in cash and a beta of 0.64, volatility simply wasn't its problem. For those seeking stability among the best stocks of 2024, this was the choice.

And then there was Broadcom. That 108% growth in 2023 was impressive, but what was truly strategic was the acquisition of VMware. Suddenly, it went from just a semiconductor company to having a solid foothold in enterprise software. They projected 40% revenue growth for 2024.

The real question at that time was how to invest in these companies. There were two clear paths. Those wanting to play fast used CFDs to speculate on short-term movements, taking advantage of the volatility brought by interest rate changes and geopolitical events. But honestly, for the best stocks of 2024, most serious people opted for direct buying and waiting.

The medium- and long-term strategy required choosing a reliable broker carefully, diversifying across sectors, and not getting scared by daily fluctuations. That was what separated traders from real investors.

Looking from here in 2026, those 2024 decisions turned out to be quite accurate. The AI sector continued to dominate, health and pharmaceuticals maintained their relevance, and diversification was key. Anyone who followed that logic of carefully selecting among the best stocks of 2024 is probably quite happy with their results.