10 Stocks Exploded Over 100%; One Shockingly Soared 11,000%

Ten stocks delivered staggering gains of more than 100 percent in just the first 7.5 months of the year, with one company notably soaring by more than 11,000 percent.

The rally came despite a broader market volatility during the period, largely due to global trade worries over the United States’ imposition of tariffs against its trading partners, with China notably being singled out.

Further aggravating the situation was Beijing’s firm stand, also slapping the US with hefty levies and curbing the exports of critical products heavily used by global industries.

In this list, we name the top 10 performing mid-cap companies of the first half of the year and explore the reasons behind their gains.

The stocks were chosen based on two criteria: at least $2 billion in market capitalization and over 5 million shares in trading volume.

10. Verona Pharma plc (NASDAQ:VRNA)

Verona Pharma has seen its stock price jump by 125 percent year-to-date, closing at $104.74 versus $46.44 in the last trading day of 2024, with its recent rally largely bolstered by Merck & Co. Inc.’s (NYSE:MRK) announcement that it would acquire the UK-based firm for $10 billion.

Merck revealed last week that it officially entered into an agreement with Verona Pharma plc (NASDAQ:VRNA) for the acquisition of its American Depository Share (ADS) at a price of $107 apiece, each representing eight VRNA shares.

Upon completion, Merck will effectively add Verona Pharma plc’s (NASDAQ:VRNA) COPD treatment Ohtuvayre into its growing cardio-pulmonary portfolio.

Approved by the FDA in June 2024, Ohtuvayre is the first novel inhaled mechanism for the treatment of COPD in more than 20 years and combines bronchodilator and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory effects. The medicine is also being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

9. AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS)

AST SpaceMobile has so far grown by 149 percent since the start of the year, finishing at $52.63 on Wednesday versus its $21.10 close in the last trading day of 2024.

The company’s rapid increase can be attributed to two primary catalysts: billionaire Jeff Bezos’ potential investment in the company and billionaire Elon Musk’s ongoing spat with President Donald Trump.

Last month, investors gobbled up shares in AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) after board member Adriana Cisneros posted a photo on social media showing herself alongside CEO Abel Avellan and Bezos, in a photo, with the caption: “Amazing things are happening at AST & Science + Blue Origin.”

Investors were quick to speculate that a partnership between the two companies is in the works, sending AST SpaceMobile, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:ASTS) share price flying.

Prior to the Instagram post, Blue Origin executives were previously spotted at the AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) headquarters in Texas, sparking speculations that discussions may have gone beyond launch logistics to cover broader strategic and financial matters.

At the same time, AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) is currently gaining ground from Musk and Trump’s ongoing feud, with investors expecting that the spat could shift the favor of government contracts away from Musk’s Space X and towards competitors, including AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS).