Five Strong Stocks to Buy in 2026: Where Markets Are Creating Opportunities

As we move through early 2026, several investment opportunities are emerging as market sentiment continues to evolve. While some investors remain skeptical about the sustainability of recent trends, the fundamental data tells a different story. Whether you’re looking to buy stocks in growth sectors or take advantage of temporary setbacks, these five companies present compelling cases for portfolio consideration in the year ahead.

The underlying theme connects back to real, measurable demand. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing’s latest quarterly results validated what many analysts have been saying—the market for advanced chips is accelerating, not slowing. Yet despite this evidence, certain valuations haven’t fully adjusted. This creates the type of environment where disciplined investors can build positions in quality companies before broader recognition arrives.

Nvidia: Computing Power Drives the Next Decade

Nvidia remains a cornerstone holding for anyone seeking exposure to artificial intelligence infrastructure. As the world’s leading supplier of graphics processing units for data center applications, the company continues expanding its competitive advantage.

Management projects that global annual data center spending could reach $3 trillion to $4 trillion by 2030—a staggering figure that underscores the scale of investment flowing into computing infrastructure. Current demand trajectories suggest this projection carries real credibility. The company’s GPUs set the standard for what’s possible in traditional computing environments, and client demand shows no signs of weakening through the decade.

For investors considering which stocks to buy now, Nvidia’s position as the foundational supplier in this infrastructure build-out makes it a natural selection. The tailwinds remain substantial, and competitive moats continue strengthening.

Taiwan Semiconductor: Validating the Chip Demand Story

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing provided the market with concrete evidence that investment in chip production is accelerating, not merely trendy. The company reported fourth-quarter results showing 26% year-over-year revenue growth measured in U.S. dollars, with management guiding for approximately 30% revenue expansion throughout 2026.

The company’s capital spending plans reinforce this conviction. Management committed to deploying $52 billion to $56 billion in production capabilities during the year—a massive commitment that signals confidence in sustained, durable demand for advanced semiconductors in artificial intelligence applications.

This combination of historical results, forward guidance, and capital allocation sends a clear message: serious, lasting demand is materializing in this sector. For investors seeking to buy stocks with fundamentals-driven catalysts, TSMC represents an attractive opportunity.

Nebius: Emerging Player in AI Infrastructure Services

Nebius Group operates with a lower public profile than larger competitors, yet its business model captures meaningful upside from the AI infrastructure build-out. The company deploys Nvidia GPUs containing TSMC chips, packaging them into rental services for clients requiring AI training computing power.

This approach mirrors proven models in cloud computing, but with specialized focus on the highest-growth segment. Management’s growth projections are striking: the company projects expanding from a $551 million annual run rate in the third quarter to a $7 billion to $9 billion run rate by year-end. That represents explosive scaling tied to concrete demand.

For investors willing to buy stocks in less established names with outsized growth potential, Nebius offers the type of risk-reward profile worth considering.

The Trade Desk: Valuation Reset Creates Opportunity

Moving beyond artificial intelligence-focused investments, The Trade Desk represents a classic recovery opportunity. The stock experienced a severe 2025, declining nearly 70% as market sentiment shifted decidedly negative.

However, consensus expectations suggest this pessimism may be overdone. Wall Street analysts maintain forecasts for 18% revenue growth in 2026 and 16% growth in the following year. Demand for programmatic advertising technology remains robust, and The Trade Desk maintains its competitive positioning to capture share.

The valuation reset provides the most compelling reason to consider this stock. Trading at 17.5 times forward earnings, the company now offers a rare entry point. For investors comfortable selecting stocks that have experienced temporary decline, The Trade Desk warrants serious attention.

MercadoLibre: Geographic Diversification Meets Growth

MercadoLibre delivers exposure to an entirely different growth narrative, with operations concentrated in Latin America rather than the United States or developed Asian markets. The company has built itself into an e-commerce powerhouse supplemented by fintech platform capabilities, positioning it to benefit from multiple transaction categories across the region.

Recent weakness—the stock has declined approximately 20%—appears disconnected from underlying business momentum. The market occasionally overlooks that MercadoLibre operates outside traditional U.S. market dynamics, creating valuation disconnects. This disconnect creates attractive entry points.

The company possesses a documented track record of disciplined capital allocation and business expansion. A significant portion of Latin America’s population has yet to adopt the platform, leaving substantial runway for future growth. For investors seeking to buy stocks with multi-year expansion potential and geographic diversification, MercadoLibre merits consideration.

Why This Moment Matters for Stock Investors

The common thread across these five selections involves market psychology colliding with fundamental reality. Investors remain uncertain whether certain spending trends represent genuine, durable shifts or temporary aberrations. This uncertainty creates temporary dislocations—precisely the environment where thoughtful investors have historically deployed capital.

Whether focusing on artificial intelligence infrastructure plays or selecting companies experiencing temporary market neglect, these stocks represent opportunities for 2026. The specific reasons differ, but the underlying principle remains consistent: buy stocks when markets are uncertain, particularly when fundamentals support the case for long-term value creation.

Consider this historical perspective: The Motley Fool’s analyst team identified Netflix in December 2004, and investors who allocated $1,000 at that time subsequently realized $448,476 in returns. When the same team recommended Nvidia in April 2005, a $1,000 investment grew to $1,180,126. Over their full track record, Stock Advisor delivered average returns of 945%—substantially outpacing the S&P 500’s 197% return over the same periods.

These historical results illustrate why disciplined stock selection matters. The specific companies change, but the process of identifying compelling valuations when markets are distracted remains a cornerstone of successful long-term investing.