Stocks, in the year 2016, started out on a terrible note but quickly made up for it with record highs. Everyone is hoping that the economy will boom in the year 2017.

Some of the best stocks to invest in 2017 will include the following according to U.S. News:

Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance (ULTA)
ULTA has exceeded expectations time after time, one quarter to the next. The stock has gone up by 220 percent in the last five years. This beauty retailer and salon chain plan on opening 500 new outlets over the next five years. This implies a 75% increase in the number of stores it has.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
JNJ might not have the potential for growth that ULTA has but where it beats ULTA when it comes to constancy and a fat dividend. For 53 years now, JNJ dividend has been on the rise on the dividend front, and the dividend pays a yield of 2.7%. This is higher than the dividend yield of 2.1% on the Treasury Note.

iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index EFF (IBB)
The fact that Trump was sworn in as President, stocks in IBB went up by 8.9%. This is because Hillary wanted to investigate healthcare profiteering has she been elected President. This is one of the best stocks to invest in 2017.

Match Group (MTCH)
Match Group is the owner of several dating platforms online. It includes Match.Com, OkCupid, PlentyOfFish, and Tinder. It is an enviable portfolio. It went public in 2015 and 2016; its shares rose by 30%. The number of paid members has risen by 33% and the quarter saw an increase in dating revenue by 22%. Business is booming. International growth in 2017 is what the company is aiming at. This is one of the best stocks to invest in 2017.

Facebook (FB)
Someday, Facebook growth will reach the limit like every company does. However, that day is still far away. As of now, it is one of the hottest names in the market. Facebook is doing an excellent job of introducing new products that the users can relate to and earn off it. FB has taken on video giant YouTube in offering web videos for users. Facebook Live is a significant part of this step where the company is aiming to bring original content to the table. Facebook Messenger has 1 billion users and Instagram 500 million. Facebook, meanwhile has 1.71 billion users. That’s 23% of the world’s population. As of now, Facebook looks unstoppable. This is one of the best stocks to invest in 2017.

Prudential Financial (PRU)
Next to MetLife, Prudential is the largest insurance company in the United States right now by market cap. For the year 2017, it is what is considered a conservative investment. PRU pays a 2.8% dividend. It stocks trade for ten times its forward earnings. Given the environment where interest rates are rising, PRU is poised to do well, as most insurance companies will.

3M (MMM): 3M is a diversified company. In the last 57years, the dividend payout has steadily increased. With its dividend yield of 2.6%, this conservative stock can provide you a steady income. In the year 2017, 3M hopes to earn 40% of its income through products it has manufactured in the last five years.

According to Forbes, the best stocks to invest in 2017 include:

• General Motors (GM) which currently trades at a P/E (price to earnings ratio) of 4.3 but which is poised to grow because of its resilience in the market.
• ONE Gas (OGS) which has to go for it services in areas of population growth, rate commissions currently in favor of local distribution companies like it, and potential for acquisition.
• USG Corporation (USG), with its well-established fundamentals and reliable year on growing sales.
• Independence Realty Trust (IRT), with a dividend that sets itself apart, is poised to grow because of its necessity for equity raise.
• Forterra (FRTA), with about $1 billion in revenues, annually, is planning on adding infrastructure products for which there are few rivals present right now. It is predicted that its stocks could trade at $30 shortly.
• Dycom Industries’ strength is providing faster internet services at lower prices. Its trading has grown for $1.16 to $5 per share from the year 2014 to 2016 and is expected to rise steadily based on many factors.
• IBM (IBM), with its acquisitions amounting to $5 billion in 2016 led to growth that accounts for 40% of the overall revenues of the company. Its most happening product is Artificial Intelligence. Keep an eye out for this company.

  In addition to all this, Apple, Alphabet, and Amazon are considered one of the best stocks to invest in 2017.