The Best and Worst Performing Stocks, YTD

Hickey and Walters (Bespoke) submit: With Friday marking the end of the second quarter, we have done some index and stock based research to put the market environment of the first half of 2007 into perspective.

A list of the best and worst performing stocks at the halfway mark this year can provide momentum and contrarian investors with possible trade ideas going forward. (It can also make you think "Why didn't I buy that stock" or "I'm glad I don't own that one."

Below we highlight current Russell 3,000 stocks that are up at least 100% or down at least 50% (price only) year to date. Rural Cellular (RCCC), a cell phone company operating in rural US locations (go figure), is up the most at 233.41%. Mortgage provider Novastar Financial (NFI) is currently down the most at -73.81%.

We have also created year-to-date price charts of the six Russell 3,000 stocks that are up the most through the end of the second quarter.