The stock market has been on a rollercoaster ride in the past six months, with some stocks soaring to new heights while others have struggled to keep up. Here are the top five stocks that have seen the highest returns in the first half of the year.

1. Apple Inc. (AAPL)
The tech giant has seen a 25% increase in its stock price since the beginning of the year. This can be attributed to the strong demand for its latest iPhone models and the company's continued growth in the services sector.

2. Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN)
The e-commerce giant has seen a 20% increase in its stock price, thanks to its dominance in the online retail market and its expansion into new areas such as healthcare and advertising.

3. Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)
The software giant has seen a 15% increase in its stock price, driven by its strong performance in the cloud computing market and its successful transition to a subscription-based business model.

4. Visa Inc. (V)
The global payments technology company has seen a 14% increase in its stock price, as more consumers shift towards digital payments and the company continues to expand its global presence.

5. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM)
The banking giant has seen a 12% increase in its stock price, fueled by strong earnings and a positive outlook for the financial sector.

Overall, the market has been driven by the strong performance of these top stocks, as well as the continued optimism surrounding the US economy. However, with ongoing trade tensions and global economic uncertainties, it remains to be seen how these stocks will fare in the second half of the year. Investors should keep a close eye on these top performers and the market as a whole to make informed decisions.