Market Insights

Technology remains the most popular sector for TradeStation clients, although last month they flipped into some different names.

Micron (MU) and Apple (AAPL) were the two busiest equities in May, with the memory-chip company sprinting past the smart-phone giant in the final hours of trading. Nvidia (NVDA) and Facebook (FB) slid down the totem pole, while typical leader SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) maintained its usual No. 1 billing.

Big news events spurred the moves. AAPL, for instance, silenced iPhone naysayers, announced a record $100 billion share buyback and received more support from legendary investor Warren Buffett. MU raised its guidance and also dished out a big repurchase program. Both companies also hit new highs during the month.

Here’s a rundown of May’s top names:

1. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY): The market-tracking ETF held its spot from April.
2. Micron (MU): The chip maker inched ahead of AAPL, rising from No. 8 in April.
3. Apple (AAPL): Tim Cook’s tech behemoth rose from No. 6 the previous month.
4. Nvidia (NVDA): The chip maker slid from third place.
5. PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ): The Nasdaq-100 tracking fund held its position from the previous month.
6. Facebook (FB): The social media giant rallied to its highest level since February. But it fell from the No. 2 spot in April.
7. iPath S&P 500 VIX (VXX): The market-inverse instrument slid from No. 4 as volatility remained subdued.
8. Amazon (AMZN): The e-commerce giant inched down one notch as the shares crept to a new record close.
9. Alibaba (BABA): The China e-commerce giant rose from the No. 14 position amid a strong quarterly earnings report.
10. Netflix (NFLX): The streaming-video company slid from seventh in April.