Three Stocks Poised for Growth as 2026 Investment Cycle Begins
With a new year on the horizon, investors are positioning their portfolios for what 2026 may bring. The start of another earnings season offers a critical window into corporate forecasts, often setting the tone for market performance. For those with capital to deploy, identifying companies with strong forward guidance is key. We examine three stocks across the semiconductor, advertising tech, and AI infrastructure sectors that analysts believe are well-placed for the coming cycle.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) has already set a high bar. Its Q4 2025 results were robust, but the real story was management's ambitious outlook. The company projects nearly 30% revenue growth for 2026, fueled by its dominant role in manufacturing AI chips. Its long-term forecast is even more striking: AI-related chip revenue is expected to compound at close to 60% annually through 2029. This suggests the global sprint to build AI infrastructure is far from over, and TSMC remains a foundational, and relatively neutral, way to gain exposure.
The Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TTD) tells a story of a fallen angel poised for a comeback. Once a high-flying ad tech darling, its shares have tumbled 75% from their peak. Yet, the underlying business appears healthier than the stock chart implies. The demand-side platform continues to be an industry leader, posting 18% revenue growth last quarter. Analysts anticipate a solid 16% growth for 2026. Trading at just 15 times forward earnings, the current valuation may represent a significant discount for a company still commanding a leading market position.
Nebius (NASDAQ: NBIS) is a lesser-known name with explosive potential. Operating AI-optimized data centers packed with advanced GPUs, Nebius offers a full-stack solution for developers to train and run AI models. Its growth trajectory is staggering: from an annual run rate of $551 million, management forecasts revenue to balloon to between $7 and $9 billion by the end of 2026. If achieved, this would cement Nebius as one of the market's premier growth stories, capitalizing directly on the insatiable demand for AI compute power.
Investor Perspectives:
Michael R., Portfolio Manager: "TSMC is the steady hand in a volatile sector. Their guidance isn't just hopeful; it's backed by tangible, industry-wide demand. The 2026 projection seems conservative given their lock on advanced node production."
Sarah Chen, Tech Analyst: "The Trade Desk's sell-off is an overreaction to broader digital ad fears. Its unique, cookie-less platform and CTV strength are structural advantages not reflected in its price. This is a classic value/growth hybrid."
David K., Independent Investor: "Nebius's forecast is pure fantasy. Going from half a billion to nearly nine billion in two years? That's not guidance; that's a pipe dream. This smells of the hype-driven excess we saw in 2021."
Priya Sharma, Venture Capital Associate: "The AI infrastructure race requires pure-play bets. Nebius, while risky, offers direct exposure to the GPU-as-a-service model that could disrupt how AI development is funded and scaled."
Disclosure: The author has positions in Nebius Group, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and The Trade Desk. Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and The Trade Desk.