2015 Top Stock Picks: SLCA, PRTA, LCI

Our 2015 top stock picks include a number of biotech stocks, an energy play, and one company that may be overheating.

Topping the list of our 2015 top stock picks include the biotech names Prothena Corp. Plc. (Nasdaq: PRTA) and Lannett Co. Inc. (NYSE: LCI). Up 80.8% and 56.7% respectively, these two companies show that the biotech stock sell-off a few weeks ago was merely a blip in a red-hot sector.

Crude oil prices are still weak - a function of increased U.S. domestic energy production - but that hasn't soured a stunning 51.8% gain for U.S. Silica Holdings Inc. (NYSE: SLCA). Silica provides specialized sand that props open cracks in rocks created through hydraulic fracturing. Without this sand, those cracks would close up and natural gas and oil would remain trapped.

One of our top performers may be sending out a signal that now is not the best time to buy, however. That stock, up 46.7% this year, is JD.com Inc. (Nasdaq: JD). We discussed the intrigue of JD stock last month as a competitor to Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE: BABA). But this No. 2 Chinese e-tailer may well be overheating. And even with Alibaba stock struggling this year, JD is going to find itself fighting a difficult price war with Alibaba.

For a full list of our top performing stock picks so far in 2015, check out the table below...

Money Morning's Top Stocks 2015

A couple weeks ago biotech stocks were shaken up. But our list of top stocks to invest in for 2015 show that biotech is a juggernaut, and there's still fuel left in this tank. But as the weeks have worn on, sand vendor U.S. Silica Holdings has pushed even higher, highlighting the emerging importance of frac sand companies.

Here are our top 10 for year-to-date gains as of the April 16 close:

Name	Symbol	2015 Gain %
Prothena Corp. Plc	PRTA	80.8
Lannett Co. Inc.	LCI	56.7
U.S. Silica Holdings Inc.	SLCA	51.8
Ambarella Inc.	AMBA	47.1
JD.com Inc.	JD	46.7
Ekso Bionics Holdings Inc.	EKSO	43.4
Novavax Inc.	NVAX	38.8
Boston Scientific Corp.	BSX	37.1
Thoratec Corp.	THOR	35.1
Skyworks Solutions Inc.	SWKS	31.6

Continue on your path to better investing with our newest list of the best stocks to invest in now. This week, we're looking at tech, cybersecurity, and biotech, with seven new picks right here...