Comeback kids: These stocks recovered the most off their 2022 lows during wild first quarter

Published Thu, Mar 31 202211:39 AM EDT

It was a tale of two quarters in the first three months of 2022, with sharp declines in the beginning, followed by a major bounce back for the market A handful of stocks — the "comeback kids" — rode the wave and are now positive for the year after big losses initially to start 2022. The first quarter was plagued by concerns about the Federal Reserve's interest rate hiking cycle, a war between Russia and Ukraine and high inflation. This caused investors to take off risk, sending the S & P 500 into a correction and many of its members into bear markets. However, the major averages have bounced back this month, with the S & P 500 now about 4% from its record. To find the biggest "comeback kids" for the quarter, CNBC Pro screened for stocks that fell more than 15% at one point year-to-date. Then, these names rallied back and are now in the green for the year. Tesla , Apple and Costco are some notable stocks that made the list. Plus, reopening plays like airlines and cruise lines also had a roller coaster quarter but ended up on top. Take a look at CNBC's list here. Stocks like Tesla, Apple, Costco and the airlines could have experienced sharp reversals as investors bet on the economic expansion and recovery from the pandemic and look past inflation and war fears. Tesla shares roared by 56% from its low in 2022 to trade in the green for the year. Costco staged a 23% comeback and Apple shares rallied nearly 20% off their low. United Airlines , American Airlines , Alaska Air Group and Delta Air Lines also made CNBC's "comeback kid" list. So did Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean . United Airlines rallied 50% off its low and now sits 5% higher on the year. American Airlines roared back 45% and Alaska Air Group came back 33%. Delta Air Lines bounced 32% from its 2022 low. Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise line rose 42% from its low and Royal Caribbean rallied 33% from its low of the year. Other names that appear on the list include Enphase Energy , SolarEdge Technologies , Freeport-McMoRan and Las Vegas Sands .

An aerial view shows cars parked at the Tesla Fremont Factory in Fremont, California on February 10, 2022.

Josh Edelson | AFP | Getty Images

It was a tale of two quarters in the first three months of 2022, with sharp declines in the beginning, followed by a major bounce back for the market

A handful of stocks — the "comeback kids" — rode the wave and are now positive for the year after big losses initially to start 2022.