In this article, we will look at the 10 Best Stocks to Buy in a Rising Market According to Wall Street Analysts.
The equity market remains bullish, driven by a record-setting trend fueled by renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. Strong first-quarter earnings have also bolstered investor confidence despite soaring geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and inflationary pressures from higher oil prices.
The S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 are back to record highs, affirming the bull market could persist into 2027. Similarly, Citigroup strategists have joined Wall Street peers in turning more constructive amid rising markets. According to strategists, elevated war uncertainty is supporting a renewed focus on higher-quality, defensive companies.
Citigroup strategists join their counterparts at BlackRock and Morgan Stanley in remaining confident about the resilience of the US market. They now expect the S&P 500 to reach 7,700 by year’s end. Goldman Sachs expects the S&P 500 to continue edging higher, as it has after episodes of geopolitical risk.
“While distribution of potential outcomes is wide, the macro headwinds in our base case outlook generally appear priced, the fundamental engine of earnings growth continues to run, and valuations — while still elevated relative to history — are less demanding than they were a few months ago,” Goldman’s Ben Snider wrote in a note.
Morgan Stanley strategist Michael Wilson insists markets have moved well in front of the risks that are now obvious. While the S&P 500 is up about 4% year to date and flirting with record highs, some stocks have outperformed the benchmark and still show significant upside amid renewed demand for risk in the market.
Our Methodology
To compile a list of the Best Stocks to buy in a Rising Market, according to Wall Street Analysts, we used the Finviz screener to identify stocks that have gained more than 20% year to date and are outperforming the overall market. We further trimmed the list to stocks with upside potential of more than 20% as of April 27. We also focused on stocks that are popular among elite hedge funds in Q4 2025. Finally, we ranked the stocks in ascending order by upside potential.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research shows 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 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
Best Stocks to Buy in a Rising Market According to Wall Street Analysts
10. ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML)
Stock Upside Potential: 20.54%
Year to Date Gain: 26.70%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 101
ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) is one of the best stocks to buy in a rising market, according to Wall Street analysts. On April 15, Chief Executive Officer Christophe Fouquet reiterated that ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) order intake remains strong as demand for chips continues to outpace supply, with customers accelerating capacity expansion.
Consequently, second-quarter net sales are expected to be between €8.4 billion and €9.0 billion, with a gross margin of 51%-52%. Full-year net sales are expected to be between €36 billion and €40 billion, with a gross margin of 51%-53%. The solid guidance comes against the backdrop of the company delivering first-quarter net sales of €8.8 billion, in line with guidance, net income of €2.8 billion, and a gross margin of 53%.
Following the impressive first- and second-quarter guidance, ASML Holding NV intends to declare a total dividend for 2025 of €7.50 per ordinary share, representing a 17% increase compared to 2024. In the first quarter, the company also returned value to shareholders by repurchasing €1.1 billion of shares.
ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) is the world’s leading manufacturer of photolithography machines, which are critical, high-tech systems used by semiconductor companies (like TSMC, Intel, and Samsung) to print tiny circuit patterns onto silicon wafers, effectively creating microchips.
9. Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN)
Stock Upside Potential: 21.54%
Year To Date Gain: 26.59%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 50
Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN) is one of the best stocks to buy in a rising market, according to Wall Street analysts. On April 11, the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act for the proposed merger of Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN) and Coterra Energy expired without objection. With the expiry, the proposed merger satisfies the key regulatory condition.
The proposed merger remains subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction is also expected to close in the second quarter. Devon Energy has already filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the registration of shares in connection with the merger.
Devon Energy Corp has rallied by more than 26% year to date, its market sentiment bolstered by the proposed merger with Coterra Energy. The merger will result in a large-cap oil and gas producer focused on the Permian Basin. Devon and Coterra are targeting $1 billion in annual pretax savings from the merger by 2027 and plan to reward investors with high dividends and share buybacks of more than $5 billion.
Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN) is an independent U.S.-based energy company. It focuses on the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company specializes in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Its core operations are in the Delaware Basin, Eagle Ford, Anadarko, Williston, and Powder River basins.
