Stock selections: the best picks by region and sector - page 2

The world's largest companies have consistently proven their ability to dominate markets and deliver sustained growth, making them attractive investment options. From leading-edge technology firms to diversified conglomerates, these industry giants boast strong fundamentals and unmatched global influence. Nvidia specializes in designing and manufacturing high-performance GPUs, powering cutting-edge applications in gaming, AI, and data center operations. Broadcom develops semiconductors for networking, broadband, wireless communications, and storage applications while offering enterprise software solutions. Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with comprehensive healthcare solutions and innovative medical treatments. As 2026 unfolds, these companies continue to represent some of the most reliable opportunities for investors seeking growth and stability. Their dominance in their respective fields ensures they remain well-positioned to thrive in evolving markets.

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Long-term investing is all about identifying resilient businesses with strong fundamentals, enduring demand, and the ability to grow through market cycles. The best stocks to hold forever often share traits like consistent earnings, industry leadership, and a proven track record of rewarding shareholders. Alamos Gold builds a resilient, low‑cost gold portfolio through disciplined operations and capital allocation. Applied Industrial Technologies delivers mission‑critical motion, fluid power, and automation solutions that drive uptime and efficiency for industrial customers. AMETEK provides precision instruments and electromechanical devices across niche markets, leveraging engineering expertise and acquisitions to sustain margins and cash generation. These stocks span materials, industrials, and technology, emphasizing durable cash flow, prudent investment, and compounding through cycles. In 2026, they continue to show resilience across macro conditions with disciplined capital allocation and shareholder‑friendly policies that support long‑term compounding.

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Utility stocks are known for their stability, reliable dividends, and essential services, making them a strong foundation for any long-term portfolio. As the energy landscape evolves with renewables, grid modernization, and decarbonization efforts, top utility companies are adapting while maintaining consistent cash flows. Vistra Corp has grown into a diversified power generator with a strong retail energy business and a growing renewables portfolio. Pampa Energía operates as one of Argentina's largest integrated energy companies, managing electricity generation, transmission, and extensive oil and gas assets. Constellation Energy leads in zero-carbon energy generation, positioning itself at the forefront of the clean energy transition. These utility leaders combine dependable performance with exposure to emerging energy technologies. For investors looking for a blend of income and long-term resilience, these are among the best utility stocks to invest in for 2026.

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The travel sector continues its strong recovery as global tourism rebounds and consumer spending on experiences increases. Are you looking for exposure to companies benefiting from renewed travel demand and digital booking platforms? Booking Holdings operates leading online travel agencies including Booking.com and Priceline, connecting travelers with accommodations and transportation worldwide. Airbnb provides a global marketplace for short-term rentals and unique experiences, disrupting traditional hospitality with its community-driven platform. Expedia Group offers comprehensive travel booking services across multiple brands, serving both leisure and business travelers with flights, hotels, and vacation packages. Travel companies offer compelling growth opportunities as tourism volumes return to pre-pandemic levels and digital adoption accelerates. These are among the best travel stocks for 2026.

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Technology continues to shape the future, driving innovation across industries from AI to cybersecurity. Leading companies across semiconductors, cloud computing, and digital transformation offer compelling long-term growth opportunities. Nvidia leads the AI revolution with advanced GPUs and accelerated computing platforms that power data centers, autonomous vehicles, and scientific research worldwide. Innodata provides advanced data engineering and AI services that transform raw data into actionable insights for organizations seeking competitive advantages. Credo Technology Group delivers high-speed connectivity solutions essential for next-generation data centers, 5G infrastructure, and AI workloads. As 2026 progresses, leading tech companies remain at the heart of technological progress. From AI-powered data services to high-performance computing infrastructure and enterprise analytics, these stocks provide strong potential for investors seeking exposure to transformative technologies and digital innovation.

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Semiconductors are the backbone of modern technology, powering everything from smartphones and data centers to AI and electric vehicles. As global demand for computing power accelerates, investing in the right chipmakers offers strong long-term potential. Nvidia remains a standout in graphics and AI computing, with a dominant position in accelerating workloads for data centers and autonomous systems worldwide. Credo Technology Group Holding provides high-speed connectivity solutions for data centers and 5G infrastructure, capitalizing on AI and cloud computing growth trends. Broadcom offers diversified exposure across networking, storage, and wireless communications, making it a dependable pick with robust cash flows and market leadership. With the semiconductor space evolving rapidly, picking leaders with proven innovation and market share is crucial. As 2026 draws to a close, these are the best semiconductor stocks that have demonstrated technological leadership and strong growth potential.

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Software-as-a-Service companies have transformed how businesses operate, delivering cloud-based solutions that drive efficiency, scalability, and innovation. The best SaaS stocks combine recurring revenue models with strong customer retention, creating predictable cash flows and long-term growth potential. Palantir delivers advanced AI-driven analytics solutions to commercial and government clients, enabling organizations to integrate and analyze vast amounts of complex data for critical operations. Oracle provides comprehensive cloud infrastructure and database solutions, maintaining its position as a leading enterprise software provider with extensive SaaS offerings. CyberArk specializes in identity security and privileged access management, protecting organizations from cyber threats through cloud-based security solutions. As 2026 progresses, leading SaaS companies remain positioned to capture growing demand for cloud-based business solutions. These stocks offer investors exposure to recurring revenue models and the ongoing shift from on-premise to cloud software.

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Retail stocks span a diverse range of businesses, from discount chains to luxury brands, and remain a key indicator of consumer confidence and economic health. The best retail companies adapt quickly to shifting consumer trends, maintain strong brand loyalty, and deliver consistent financial performance. Build-A-Bear Workshop combines experiential retail with personalization, allowing customers to create customized stuffed animals and interactive in-store experiences. Tapestry operates iconic luxury brands including Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman, serving fashion-conscious consumers with accessible luxury. Aritzia specializes in premium everyday luxury women's fashion, connecting with young adult consumers through carefully curated collections and strong brand positioning. This list includes leaders across apparel, specialty retail, luxury goods, and consumer discretionary sectors – offering a well-rounded look at market opportunities. For 2026, these retail stocks represent the strongest opportunities demonstrating market resilience and strategic consumer positioning.

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Real estate stocks offer investors access to income-generating assets, long-term appreciation potential, and diversification from traditional sectors. Whether through residential development, data storage facilities, or commercial real estate services, the best real estate companies are adapting to economic shifts while preserving value. Develia specializes in residential and commercial property development across major Polish cities, delivering high-quality projects and capitalizing on Poland's urbanization and growing housing demand. Iron Mountain combines real estate with data management, offering secure storage solutions with growing digital infrastructure exposure across global markets. CBRE Group operates as the world's largest commercial real estate services firm, providing comprehensive leasing, property management, and investment services globally. These companies represent different angles of the real estate sector, from residential development to data infrastructure and commercial services. As we enter 2026, these are among the best real estate stocks that have demonstrated resilience and strategic positioning in property-based assets.

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Quantum computing represents the next frontier in computational power, with the potential to revolutionize fields from drug discovery to cryptography. While still in early stages, the quantum computing market is projected to surge from $16 billion to $73 billion by 2030, attracting significant investment from both pure-play startups and tech giants pursuing this transformative technology. Nvidia leads with its GPU infrastructure powering quantum research and hybrid quantum-classical computing systems across major quantum platforms globally. IonQ specializes in trapped-ion quantum processors delivering superior qubit quality with systems accessible through AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms. Google provides comprehensive quantum computing capabilities through its Sycamore processor and extensive quantum AI research initiatives. For investors seeking exposure to quantum computing's long-term potential, these companies offer varying risk-reward profiles from speculative pure-plays to diversified tech giants. They represent the forefront of quantum innovation as the industry transitions from research to commercial applications in 2026.

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