Defying the odds: Businesses that thrived during pandemic in 2020

Big Tech was the big winner by far of the pandemic. Lockdown orders accelerated the big shift in life online that had already been underway. With work- and shop-from-home suddenly the norm, profits proved resilient for Big Tech even as the pandemic crushed movie theaters, malls and other industries.

Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook and Google's parent company now account for roughly 22% of the S&P 500 by themselves. Never before have five companies been so dominant on Wall Street.

As movie theaters closed and lockdowns descended across the globe, people turned to the ever-growing number of video streaming services for entertainment. The pandemic accelerated the trend of people shifting to watching TV online rather than via traditional cable.

Netflix was a big winner, adding 28 million subscribers through the first nine months of the year.

As people hunkered down at home because of the coronavirus, restaurant delivery companies that were merely convenient in 2019 became essential businesses in 2020.

At Uber, its Uber Eats delivery service brought in more money during the third quarter than the signature ridesharing business. And the trend is global.

Fitness regimens shifted from the gym to the home in a big way during 2020.

Interactive fitness bike maker Peloton was one of the biggest winners of the workout-from-home trend. Revenue during the first nine months of the year more than doubled to $1.9 billion as its high-tech bikes and treadmills found more homes.

More homebound people got pets during the pandemic, and investors have taken note.

Looking to cash in on the trend, San Diego-based Petco this month filed for an IPO. The details remain under wraps, but last year's IPO by online pet supplies seller Chewy provides a drool-worthy comparison. Chewy's stock has quadrupled since its 2019 IPO.