On Tuesday, August 26, stocks went up as investors looked past President Trump’s decision to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from the central bank’s board. The market focused instead on the upcoming quarterly report from chip maker NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA).
The broad market S&P 500 rose by 0.41%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.44%. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.30%.
Adam Crisafulli, founder of Vital Knowledge, said:
“In the immediate term, markets will probably get over the Cook news fairly quickly (assuming this is a discrete event and Trump doesn’t attempt to fire Powell), turning its attention back to Nvidia, the PCE, and jobs, but the Fed’s independence is undeniably being undermined, a process with negative long-term consequences.”
Another factor affecting the market’s sentiment was Trump’s statement on Monday. Trump said he plans to put new, “substantial” tariffs and export limits on chips for countries that don’t remove digital taxes.
Despite these concerns, investors are waiting for NVIDIA Corporation’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) earnings report, which is scheduled for after market close on Wednesday.
Anthony Saglimbene, Chief Market Strategist at Ameriprise, expects NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) to report good results. He said the key will be how well the chip giant performs and whether it can meet or beat high expectations. He believes that the company’s guidance can “influence how the market reacts.”
With these points in mind, let’s take a look at the 10 best affordable stocks under $50 to buy.
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the 10 best affordable stocks under $50 to buy, we used the Finviz stock screener to find stocks with a forward P/E ratio of less than 15 and a share price of under $50 as of August 25, 2025. We sorted our results based on market capitalization and picked the top 50 affordable stocks trading at under 15 times their forward earnings as of August 25, 2025. To ensure the reliability of our findings, we also consulted Yahoo Finance. Next, we focused on the top 10 stocks most favored by institutional investors. Data for the hedge fund sentiment surrounding each stock was taken from Insider Monkey’s Q2 2025 database of 983 elite hedge funds. Finally, the 10 best affordable stocks under $50 to buy were ranked in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them as of Q2 2025.
Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
10 Best Affordable Stocks Under $50 to Buy
10. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE)
Share Price: $22.56
Forward P/E: 11.17
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 60
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) ranks among the best affordable stocks under $50 to buy. On August 5, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) reported a major expansion of its cybersecurity, resiliency and compliance solutions. These updates take a multi-layered approach to help keep organizations safe with strong data, network, and system security.
At the Black Hat USA event, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) displayed its combined secure networking products. These are based on HPE Aruba Networking and HPE Juniper Networking.
The company shared many new improvements across its solutions. One highlight is a new SASE copilot for HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect, which uses AI to offer insights about network activity and security weaknesses.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) upgraded its leadership in hybrid cloud data security and resiliency with the new data protection solution, HPE Alletra Storage MP X10000.
Additionally, the company upgraded its portfolio with HPE Zerto Software, which offers a new integration hub that allows third-party applications to access HPE Zero data. This solution simplifies system security and disaster recovery.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) is a leader in essential enterprise technology. The company specializes in combining AI, cloud, and networking to support enterprises.
9. Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB)
Share Price: $35.65
Forward P/E: 11.85
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 63
Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) ranks among the best affordable stocks under $50 to buy. On August 1, Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) reported that it has acquired Stimline Digital AS, a leading cloud-based software company for the energy sector that focuses on well intervention.
Stimline Digital’s IDEX platform offers operators a strong visualization tool and collaborative environment to improve the planning and carrying out of well interventions and operations. The platform uses AI to help operators efficiently standardize digital workflows through all steps of interventions. These steps include planning, real-time execution, and post-job analysis.
Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) acquired complete ownership of Stimline Digital AS, including all business operations and rights to the IDEX platform and other intellectual property.
The IDEX platform will be integrated with Schlumberger Limited’s (NYSE:SLB) data systems and advanced applications for intervention planning and modeling. This will help operators build smart, data-driven workflows that increase consistency, efficiency, and performance in well interventions.
Besides its use in well interventions, the IDEX platform will also offer strong procedural adherence solutions for drilling, completions, and plugging and abandoning wells.
Since the company shared this news on August 1, Schlumberger Limited’s (NYSE:SLB) stock price has gone up by 7.87% as of August 25.
Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) is a global oilfield services company that offers technology, information solutions, and integrated project management services that improve reservoir performance.
8. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY)
Share Price: $47.14
Forward P/E: 7.24
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 67
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) ranks among the best affordable stocks under $50 to buy. On August 13, Cantor Fitzgerald reduced its price target for Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) from $55 to $45 while keeping a Neutral rating.
Cantor Fitzgerald cited the company’s top-line beat but noted that the quality of the beat was mixed. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company’s (NYSE:BMY) performance was supported by legacy products and favorable foreign exchange impacts.
Despite this, the firm pointed out that investors should focus on the upcoming results from the Cobenfy ADEPT-2 study.
Cantor Fitzgerald sees the risk around ADEPT-2 as balanced. The firm believes that if the results are positive, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) could rise to between $52 and $54. If negative, the stock price could fall to between $38 and $40.
The firm’s decision to cut the price target reflects recent clinical setbacks that Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) experienced and concerns about the company’s long-term growth outlook.
Cantor Fitzgerald also believes that the company will likely still need mergers and acquisitions to support its business.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) is an American multinational pharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines for serious diseases.
7. Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)
Share Price: $31.25
Forward P/E: 14.04
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) ranks among the best affordable stocks under $50 to buy. On August 14, Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) revealed its summer 2027 ocean voyages and 2027–2028 expedition itineraries from Seabourn, the company’s brand that specializes in ultra-luxury and expedition travel.
According to the report by Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL), the upcoming season will offer travelers a wide range of experiences, including trips to Alaska that mix hidden spots with expert expedition adventures, cultural travels through Japan and Canada & New England, and expeditions across Antarctica, the Arctic, and the South Pacific.
The collection, which will be set across Seabourn Pursuit, Seabourn Venture, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Quest, and Seabourn Ovation, includes a total of 111 departures, 72 unique itineraries, and visits to 369 destinations in 71 countries across all seven continents.
Some highlights of the season include Seabourn’s first “Pole-to-Pole: Grand Expedition,” a 94-day journey from the High Arctic all the way to Antarctica. There is also a new 11-day Baltic voyage visiting major capitals and isolated ports across Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia. Another headliner is a 14-day solar eclipse voyage in August 2027, giving travellers a unique opportunity to view this celestial event from the front row.
In addition, guests can look forward to Seabourn’s Signature Events in select destinations, including plenty of opportunities to explore UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) is a global cruise company and one of the world’s largest leisure travel companies. The company’s portfolio of cruise lines includes AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.
6. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ)
Share Price: $44.23
Forward P/E: 9.41
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 71
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) ranks among the best affordable stocks under $50 to buy. On August 25, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) announced that Jennifer K. Mann has been elected to join the company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately.
She serves as the Executive Vice President and President of the North America Operating Unit at The Coca-Cola Company (KO).
Jennifer has worked at Coca-Cola for 28 years. She is a proven leader who brings strong expertise in consumer, marketing, brand management, and strategic planning to Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ).
At Coca-Cola, Jennifer leads the company’s largest operating unit. She also has experience in strategically managing and overseeing the integration of major acquisitions and investments.
With her addition, Verizon Communications Inc.’s (NYSE:VZ) board now has 11 directors who offer a variety of perspectives and expertise to the company.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is an American technology and telecommunications company that provides network connectivity, entertainment, and security solutions.
5. PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG)
Share Price: $14.91
Forward P/E: 9.94
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 77
PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) ranks among the best affordable stocks under $50 to buy. On July 31, PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) announced that it is working to provide 10 gigawatts (GW) of new electricity over the next ten years for data center projects. This amount of energy can power about 7.5 million homes simultaneously.
The 10 GW in the company’s data center demand pipeline reflects an increase from the 8.7 GW of data center demand PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) reported in May. Before that, in February, the company had reported it was 5.5 GW.
Out of the 10 GW, 17 data center projects totaling about 1.5 GW are in the final engineering stage and expected to start operating between 2026 and 2030.
According to estimates by PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), the 10 GW of expected data center demand could help lower customer electricity bills by 10% or more because the costs would be spread across more energy usage. The projects are also expected to create thousands of jobs, add $1.25 to $1.75 billion in property tax revenue, and contribute $2.5 to $3 billion in sales tax revenue.
Since the company shared this update, PG&E Corporation’s (NYSE:PCG) stock price has risen by 6.35% as of August 25.
PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) is an energy holding company whose subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, provides electricity and natural gas to customers in Northern and Central California.
4. Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA)
Share Price: $34.01
Forward P/E: 8.02
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 82
Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) ranks among the best affordable stocks under $50 to buy. On August 21, the Wall Street Journal reported that Comcast Corporation’s (NASDAQ:CMCSA) NBCUniversal is in advanced talks with Major League Baseball (MLB).
The two are discussing a three-year deal approaching $200 million annually to carry games on NBC and the Peacock streaming service.
At the same time, Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) is also close to making a deal with MLB to stream the ‘Home Run Derby.’ According to the report, this deal is expected to be for more than $35 million a year and would continue through 2028.
The Wall Street Journal reported that MLB and these companies are still negotiating, citing people familiar with the talks.
MLB has not yet finalized any deal with Comcast Corporation’s (NASDAQ:CMCSA) NBCUniversal or Netflix and additional components could increase the total price.
According to the report, MLB expects to grow its revenue through these new agreements compared to what it was receiving before from its previous deal with ESPN.
Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. It offers high-quality broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky. The corporation also produces, distributes, and streams leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky.
3. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T)
Share Price: $28.74
Forward P/E: 13.83
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 83
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) ranks among the best affordable stocks under $50 to buy. On August 19, AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) announced that Kelly Grier has been elected to join the company’s board of directors starting September 1.
Grier will be part of two committees at AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), the Human Resources Committee and the Corporate Development and Finance Committee.
Scott Ford, who has served AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) for 13 years, will retire on September 1 from the company’s board of directors.
According to the report by AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), Grier is the former US Chair and Americas Managing Partner (CEO) of Ernst & Young LLP (EY). She worked at EY for more than 30 years and held many important leadership roles in the US and overseas. This includes Vice Chair and Central Region Managing Partner and Americas Vice Chair of Talent.
John Stankey, AT&T Inc.’s (NYSE:T) CEO and board chairman, said Grier’s skills in finance and leadership are valuable and will strengthen the board.
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is an American multinational telecommunications and technology company that provides wireless and fixed-line communication services, broadband, and mobile services.
2. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)
Share Price: $25.14
Forward P/E: 8.24
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 83
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) ranks among the best affordable stocks under $50 to buy. On August 5, Morgan Stanley increased its price target for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) from $32 to $33 while keeping an Equalweight rating.
This decision came after Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) released its Q2 2025 earnings report. The company continues to navigate policy changes in the pharmaceutical sector.
The firm highlighted that Pfizer Inc.’s (NYSE:PFE) guidance accounts for the impact of tariffs from China, Canada, and Mexico. It also reflects potential price changes based on a recent letter received from President Trump.
In its outlook, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) reaffirmed its full-year 2025 revenue guidance. The company increased its adjusted diluted EPS forecast by $0.10 at the midpoint to a range of $2.90 to $3.10.
This higher adjusted diluted EPS guidance is supported by Pfizer Inc.’s (NYSE:PFE) strong performance, continued confidence in the company’s business, a favorable impact from foreign exchange, cost improvement initiatives, and an improved effective tax rate.
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is a leading pharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and manufacture of healthcare products, medicines, and vaccines.
1. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC)
Share Price: $49.48
Forward P/E: 13.51
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 115
Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) ranks among the best affordable stocks under $50 to buy. On August 20, Reuters reported that Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) made changes in its global investment banking leadership. Faiz Ahmad and Mike Joo were promoted to co-heads of global investment banking as part of a bigger leadership reshuffle. This information comes from an internal memo seen by Reuters.
Now, all of the global group heads in investment banking will report jointly to Ahmad and Joo. Previously, Ahmad was co-head of global capital markets while Joo was the head of North America global corporate and investment banking (GCIB).
According to the memo by Matthew Koder, president of the division, the outgoing heads of investment banking, Alex Bettamio and Thomas Sheehan, will now serve as chairs of GCIB. They will be focusing on building stronger client relationships worldwide.
According to Dealogic data from mid-August, Bank of America Corporation’s (NYSE:BAC) global investment banking revenue ranked third highest in 2025, holding 6% of the market share. This is slightly less than the 6.1% share it had last year.
The data also showed that Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) dropped from fourth to fifth in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) rankings. Its market share in equity capital markets declined slightly, but increased in debt capital markets and loans.
In the second quarter, Bank of America Corporation’s (NYSE:BAC) investment banking fees went down by 9% to $1.4 billion. This performance was not as impressive as its competitors. According to the memo, Joo will focus on the company’s presence in the US middle market and better integration of the business across 97 local markets.
Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) is a global banking and financial services corporation that offers banking, investing, asset management, and other financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, and large corporations.
While we acknowledge the potential of BAC as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BAC and that has a 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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