Why Prudential Financial Jumped 38% in 2021

Prudential Financial (NYSE: PRU) was a big winner in 2021 as its stock rose 38.6%, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, beating out the S&P 500's return of 27% during the same time. The company, which provides life insurance and other financial products, saw an improvement from the year before, when the coronavirus pandemic and the market volatility that followed weighed heavily on its business. In response, management has made a concerted effort to change its business product mix in 2021, which has made investors optimistic.