It is a trading strategy that has made a lot of people money over the years, buying the stocks that have done the best throughout the year in anticipation of a end of the year markup from money managers. Why does this occur? It is simple, money managers want to look like they are on the winning side of the best trades. When they send out their end of the year information to their shareholders they want those shareholders to see that they own the best 
performing stocks.
I wanted to take a look at some stocks that are top candidates to be marked up into the final few trading days of the year as money managers rush to show their ownership of these stocks.
10 End of the year markup candidates
- Transocean (NYSE:RIG) This company is just humming along in its stock performance and bottom line growth. Money managers want to show that they have energy in their portfolio and this is a big winner so far this year, up about 78%.
- Baidu.com (Nasdaq:BIDU) It is hard to find a hotter area than the Chinese stocks. Baidu has jumped 238% this year, and portfolio managers will want a piece of the pie.
- The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) Higher by more than 316% thus far this year, this fertilizer winner has simply amazed in its growth. The agricultural sector has lots of major winners, and this is one of them.
- Research in Motion Limited (Nasdaq:RIMM) This one is higher by almost 179% so far this year and its terrific earnings report from this past week will help propel it into the final days of the year as well.
- InterContinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE) This one has been one of the strongest performers in the financial services area, and since investment managers have to have some finance, why not have a big winner?
- DryShips (Nasdaq:DRYS) Many may focus on the rough ride it has had of late, but the stock is still higher by almost 300% this year. Managers will want to show they had their hands on this one.
- Intuitive Surgical (Nasdaq:ISRG) This one is higher by about 240% this year and is part of the innovative medical equipment and supplies sector. Not a bad healthcare stock to have your hands on if your a money manager.
- Apple Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL) Apple is a massive company that continues to deliver stellar results through innovation. If there is one tech stock that managers have to have, this is probably it.
- J Crew Group (NYSE:JCG) J. Crew has recently ramped up quite nicely and sports a gain of over 30% for the year. In a specialty retail sector that has been hit hard, these gains are very impressive.
- Jacobs Engineering Group (NYSE:JEC) Jacobs is a huge winner from the infrastructure area that has been so hot this year. Its 136% gain year to date will certainly catch the eye of quite a few managers.
The end of the year markup trade should outperform the market against this year and if it does, these stocks should be among those who do quite well.
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