10 of the best stocks to invest in for your 2026 portfolio

Building a strong investment portfolio for 2026 starts with choosing a mix of stocks that offer real growth potential, resilience and long-term value. Thirty-seven percent of investors prioritize long-term stability from their stocks, according to our crypto vs. stocks survey. Therefore, thorough research is important when deciding the best stocks to invest in.

Whether you’re just learning how to invest in stocks or are a seasoned investor, the best stock for you will depend on your personal trading strategy and goals.

While past performance does not guarantee future results, the strong growth these assets experienced in 2025 makes them important to monitor and understand heading into 2026\.

• NYSE ticker code: WDC
• Industry: Data storage
• YTD returns: 282.3%

Western Digital is a data-storage company. They design and manufacture hard drives, solid-state drives and high-capacity storage solutions. With demand for large and reliable data storage at an all-time high, Western Digital is well-positioned in an essential technology supply chain.

Western Digital (WDC) benefits from a rapid product turnaround, improving memory chip cost dynamics, and rising demand for high-performance storage from both consumers and businesses. These factors position the company favorably within the global data storage industry.

WDC has also delivered an impressive 282.3% return in 2025, signaling strong investor confidence and stock momentum.

• NYSE ticker code: HOOD
• Industry: Capital markets
• YTD returns: 203.5%

Robinhood Markets is a commission-free, accessible investment trading platform that operates within the capital markets industry, which includes fintech and online brokerages. The company’s mobile-first design and ease of use have resonated strongly with younger investors, reshaping how a new generation enters the market.
This strong positioning has translated into an impressive 203.5% return in 2025, making Robinhood Markets (HOOD) one of the top stocks heading into the new year and signaling increased investor confidence and positive market momentum.

• NYSE ticker code: STX
• Industry: Data storage
• YTD returns: 219.1%

Seagate Technology is a data storage company that manufactures hard disk drives, solid-state drives and advanced storage systems. With rising demand for high-capacity, high-efficiency data storage, Seagate is positioned to benefit from long-term industry tailwinds supporting both the company and its investors.

This improving outlook has contributed to a strong 219.1% return in 2025, marking a sharp rebound from recent years when Seagate (STX) faced industry and company-specific challenges, including slower technology adoption and declining earnings.

The stock’s recent performance reflects renewed investor confidence in the company’s technology, profitability and product demand.

• NYSE ticker code: MU
• Industry: Semiconductor
• YTD returns: 239.1%

Micron Technology operates in the semiconductor industry, specializing in memory and storage chips used across data centers, mobile devices, automotive systems, and consumer electronics.

As a global leader in chip manufacturing, Micron has positioned itself as an essential supplier for companies building next-generation hardware, cloud infrastructure and AI systems.

With its products playing a critical role in training large language models and benefiting from lower chip production costs, Micron (MU) is well positioned for sustained demand growth. These strengths have helped drive an impressive 239.1% return in 2025, signaling renewed investor confidence and strong stock momentum heading into 2026\.

• NYSE ticker code: NEM
• Industry: Mining
• YTD returns: 168.3%

Newmont is the world’s largest mining company, with operations across North America, South America, Australia and Africa. As the world’s leading producer of gold, Newmont also mines silver, copper, zinc and lead — metals that are essential to industry operations and that often retain value during periods of economic uncertainty.

In an increasingly volatile market and geopolitical environment, investors tend to gravitate toward defensive, safe-haven assets like precious metals. This positions Newmont for continued resilience and steady growth.

These favorable dynamics have helped drive a 168.3% return in 2025, with the stock more than doubling in value and reflecting renewed investor confidence in both Newmont’s (NU) and the broader commodities sector.

• NYSE ticker code: WBD
• Industry: Media and Entertainment
• YTD returns: 170.3%

Warner Bros. Discovery is a media and entertainment company that formed as a result of the 2022 merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery. The company produces and distributes content across streaming, television, film, and digital platforms, and owns well-known brands including HBO, CNN, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Discovery Channel.

With a diverse content portfolio, global reach, and strong brand recognition, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) engages audiences across multiple formats while serving advertisers and distribution partners worldwide.

In 2025, the company’s stock recorded a 170.3% return, reflecting market optimism surrounding internal restructuring efforts, cost reductions, and potential growth within its streaming operations following the merger.

As demand for premium content continues to grow, Warner Bros. Discovery’s scale, brand assets, and evolving platform strategy remain central to its positioning within the media and entertainment industry.

• NYSE ticker code: PLTR
• Industry: Software
• YTD returns: 135%

Palantir Technologies is a software company that specializes in data analytics platforms that integrate, manage and analyze large-scale datasets. Its software enables data-driven decision-making for government and commercial clients across industries such as defense, intelligence, finance, healthcare, and industrial operations.

With a strong focus on AI-driven analytics, long-term partnerships, and high-value government and enterprise contracts, Palantir Technologies (PLTR) has positioned itself as a critical provider of advanced data solutions.

These strengths have helped drive a 135.1% return in 2025, with the stock more than doubling in value and reflecting strong investor confidence in the company’s growth trajectory.

• NYSE ticker code: LRCX
• Industry: Semiconductor
• YTD returns: 137%

Lam Research is a supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, providing wafer fabrication, etching, deposition and cleaning systems used to produce advanced chips. Its tools enable chipmakers such as Micron, Samsung, and others to manufacture smaller, more efficient, and higher-performing semiconductors, positioning Lam Research at the core of technological advancement.

With demand for advanced chip manufacturing equipment continuing to rise, Lam Research benefits from strong, long-standing partnerships with leading semiconductor producers.

These fundamentals have contributed to a 137.1% return in 2025, reflecting strong investor confidence and positioning Lam Research (LRCX) for continued growth momentum.

• NYSE ticker code: APH
• Industry: Technology
• YTD returns: 94.6%

Amphenol operates within the technology industry as a manufacturer of electronic components serving automotive, aerospace, industrial and telecommunications markets.

Its product portfolio includes electronic and fiber-optic connectors, interconnect systems, antennas, sensors and cables. With the world dependent on connected devices, components that are essential to an increasingly connected global economy.

With rising demand for connected devices across multiple industries, Amphenol’s diversified exposure and ability to innovate position the company to benefit from long-term growth trends.

These strengths have contributed to a 94.6% year-to-date return in 2025, nearly doubling the stock’s value and reflecting strong revenue growth, improved profitability, and investor confidence.

With its diverse product portfolio and multi-industry reach, Amphenol (APH) is well positioned to continue its growth trajectory in 2026\.

• NYSE ticker code: INTC
• Industry: Semiconductor
• YTD returns: 84.1%

Intel is one of the world’s largest and most established semiconductor companies, designing and manufacturing processors, chipsets and other related technologies used in personal computers, data centers, artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

As demand for advanced computing continues to rise, driven by AI, 5G, and cloud infrastructure, Intel is positioning itself for renewed growth through internal restructuring efforts and a sharper focus on next-generation products.

These strategic changes have helped drive an 84.1% return in 2025, reflecting renewed investor confidence and positioning Intel (INTC) for continued growth into 2026\.

Certain industries have the potential to experience strong growth as investors prepare their portfolios to buy stocks in 2026\. Keeping an eye on the following industries can help you identify opportunities to invest in areas with potential to gain momentum:

• Artificial intelligence (AI): The global AI market is expected to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.20% between 2025 and 2032, with the market expected to reach $1.77 trillion by 2032\.
• Data analytics: The Data Science and Predictive Analytics market is expected to have a CAGR of over 18.8% between 2026 and 2035\.
• Semiconductors: The global semiconductor market is expected to have a CAGR of 15.4% from 2025 to 2032, reaching an estimated value of $2.06 trillion.
• Cloud computing software: The cloud computing market is expected to have a CAGR of 16.62% from 2025 to 2032, reaching an estimated $2.29 trillion in value.
• Media and entertainment: The In-App Advertising Market, a key monetization tool for this industry, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.0% between 2025 and 2035\.
• Precious metals: Central banks' demand for gold increased at the end of 2025, with 28% more purchased in Q3 than in Q2.
• Electronics and connectivity: The wider consumer electronics market is expected to have a CAGR of 7.85% from 2025 to 2032\. The automotive electronics sub-category is seeing rapid growth due to EV demand.
• Financial technology (fintech): The global FinTech market is expected to have a CAGR of 16.2% between 2025 and 2032\.

Building a strong portfolio for the year ahead starts with understanding the best stocks to invest in and how each one fits into major trends shaping the market. No matter what your individual investment goals are, you can buy and trade stocks with Kraken to find stock opportunities and diversify your portfolio with confidence.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your investment journey, sign up with Kraken to explore a seamless way to invest, discover new opportunities and stay ahead of market trends.

1. Bankrate
2. Western Digital
3. Robinhood
4. Seagate Technology
5. Micron Technology
6. Newmont
7. Chase
8. Warner Bros. Discovery
9. Palantir Technologies
10. Lam Research
11. Amphenol
12. Intel
13. Fortune Business Insights: AI Outlook
14. Research Nester: Data Analytics Outlook
15. Fortune Business Insights: Semiconductor Outlook
16. Fortune Business Insights: Cloud Computing Outlook
17. Market Research Future: Media Outlook
18. ING: Gold Outlook
19. Fortune Business Insights: Electronics Outlook
20. Fortune Business Insights: Fintech Outlook