In this article, we will take a look at the 10 Best US Stocks to Invest In for Long Term.

Concerns around the Iran war and slowing US growth have been weighing on markets. Volatility has picked up, and that shift has left some investors concerned about income safety and steady returns. Financial advisors tend to come back to the same foundation. Over time, portfolios should be diversified across equities, bonds, and cash. In the short term, though, cash planning matters just as much.

Advisors often suggest keeping six to 12 months of expenses in an emergency fund. On top of that, holding about 2% to 10% of a portfolio in cash is considered reasonable, depending on personal circumstances, life stage, and goals. Money tied to short-term needs is usually kept away from the stock market. The idea is simple, and it should not be exposed to sudden swings.

A CNBC report from April 22 pointed to a different concern. Capital Group CEO Mike Gitlin is watching how younger investors react to market stress, especially those stepping back from war-driven commodity trades. He indicated that the industry is trying to connect with Gen-Z investors, who often approach investing differently. Speaking at CNBC’s Converge Live conference in Singapore, Gitlin said younger investors should think in terms of long-term wealth building, rather than “hobby investing,” where personal interests shape portfolio decisions.

Given this, we will take a look at some of the best American stocks to buy.

Our Methodology:

For this list, we screened for US companies that have an average expected EPS growth of at least 25% over the next five years. From that group, we limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These companies are also popular among elite funds and analysts.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? 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 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).

10. V.F. Corporation (NYSE:VFC)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 37

On April 17, BWG Global upgraded V.F. Corporation (NYSE:VFC) to Positive from Mixed. The firm pointed to its channel checks, noting that Vans showed some improvement in the U.S. during Q4, while Timberland and The North Face benefited from colder weather.

On April 15, Wells Fargo analyst Ike Boruchow raised the firm’s price recommendation on VFC to $20 from $15. It reiterated an Equal Weight rating on the shares ahead of quarterly results. The analyst said that while the firm had taken a more cautious stance over the past 12-plus months, it is now leaning slightly more positive. This shift reflects improving checks around Vans in the US and what that could mean for the company’s P&L and valuation.

During the fiscal Q3 2026 earnings call, CFO Paul Vogel indicated that annual revenue is expected to be flat or show modest growth compared to the prior year. He said gross margins should reach at least 54.5%, putting the company within range of its fiscal 2028 target of 55%. Operating margin, he added, is expected to come in at 6.5% or higher.

For Q4, management guided for revenue to range from flat to up 2% on a constant currency basis. They also expect a positive foreign exchange impact of about 5% on the top line. At the brand level, The North Face is expected to maintain its Q3 growth pace. Timberland may see slower growth, while Vans is likely to decline in the mid-single digits. The company also expects operating cash flow and free cash flow to improve year over year. It plans to keep leverage at 3.5x or below.

V.F. Corporation (NYSE:VFC) is a global apparel, footwear, and accessories company. It designs, sources, markets, and distributes a wide range of branded products, including backpacks, luggage, and accessories for consumers across age groups. Its portfolio consists of products sold under VF-owned brand names.

9. Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 44

On April 14, JPMorgan raised its price recommendation on Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) to $212 from $198. It kept an Overweight rating on the shares. The update came as part of the firm’s Q1 preview for the North America steel group. It said that “tight” supply alongside “mixed demand” should remain supportive for the sector.

On April 1, Goldman Sachs analyst Nick Cash assumed coverage of NUE with a Buy rating. It also set a $210 price target on the stock in a sector note on Americas steel. The firm said it is bullish on US steel equities “as a result of sustained higher prices due to section 232 steel tariffs moving import costs up while also constraining supply,” and added that it sees “above average demand growth in infrastructure as well as pockets of growth in private non-residential construction.” At the same time, it pointed to uncertainty in the broader macro environment and said it prefers “lower beta companies set to accelerate free cash flow and realize higher through cycle margins as they benefit from metal margin expansion and product diversification.”

Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) manufactures steel and steel products, with operations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company also produces and sources ferrous and non-ferrous materials, mainly for use in its own steel manufacturing business.