Since the end of 2020, a period in which crypto markets have seen heightened volatility and Bitcoin has fallen 30%, a range of traditional assets have delivered substantial gains. A study by Taurex, which tracked major US and UK stocks, gold and Dubai real estate from end-2020 to August 12, 2026, reveals that several technology and defence stocks more than doubled in value, with gold also posting a strong performance.
Google leads the way
Alphabet shares rose from $87.63 at end-2020 to $342.37 by August 12, 2026, a gain of 290.7%. The company remained a major force in digital advertising as artificial intelligence search became a serious topic in 2023 and 2024.
Defence stocks in high demand
BAE Systems, a supplier of fighter jets and naval systems, saw its stock climb 238.4% from $672.80 to $2,277. Other defence names also performed strongly: Kratos Defence rose 123.7% (from $28.50 to $63.80), RTX gained 123.4% ($99.70 to $222.80), and General Dynamics added 107.4% ($190.10 to $394.20).
Gold holds its ground
Often viewed as a slow hedge against inflation, gold delivered a 132.1% increase, moving from $130 to $302. The study notes that the metal can outperform most stock picks when the macroeconomic environment becomes unstable.
Big Tech delivers solid returns
Microsoft rose 151% (from $1,769 to $4,442), driven by expansion in its cloud business while attention was on flashier AI plays. Apple gained 127.8% (from $216.20 to $492.40), recovering from a rough patch in 2022. Meta added 112.1% (from $272.90 to $578.90). Another major stock rose 94.2% (from $99.80 to $193.80).
Key takeaways
- Google (Alphabet) was the top performer with a 290.7% gain from end-2020 to August 2026.
- Defence stocks BAE Systems, Kratos Defence, RTX and General Dynamics all more than doubled.
- Gold gained 132.1%, outperforming several technology stocks over the period.
- Microsoft, Apple and Meta also delivered substantial returns despite market volatility in 2022.
Common questions
What was the best performing asset in the study?
Google (Alphabet) with a 290.7% increase from end-2020 to August 12, 2026.
How did gold compare to stocks?
Gold gained 132.1%, outperforming some tech stocks but behind Google and BAE Systems. The study notes gold can shine when the economic outlook is uncertain.
Which sectors were represented?
The study covered technology (Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta), defence (BAE Systems, Kratos Defence, RTX, General Dynamics), gold, and Dubai real estate.
The study highlights that while crypto has faced headwinds, traditional assets including gold and select equities have provided strong returns over the past six years. For those tracking the precious metal, the live gold price remains a key benchmark.