record todays value for the Standard and Poors 500 Index (^GSPC). Also, record the value one-year ago. Calculate the return. Now do the same for Novartis, the giant Swiss pharmaceutical (NVS) and Johnson and Johnson (JNJ). Discuss your results. Did the stocks outperform the market, as represented by the S&P? Comment carefully.

GSPC value today: $3,974.12

GSPC value last year: $2,304.92

NVS value today: $85.64

NVS Value last year: $72.42

JNJ value today: $160.77

JNJ Value last year: $119.89