In this article, we will discuss the 10 Best Young Stocks to Buy Right Now.
On April 6, Katie Stockton, Fairlead Strategies Founder & Managing Partner, appeared on CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box’ to discuss the stability of US equities amid a geopolitical conflict. Stockton noted that while the S&P 500 recently saw a round trip (dropping over 4% before recovering those losses with a bounce to around 6,600), she does not believe that this recovery is sustainable. She viewed the current month as an interruption in a larger corrective phase rather than the end of it. She identified the next major support level at 6,175 and warned that momentum gauges suggest things could get worse. While DeMarc indicators support about four weeks of stabilization, she emphasized the absence of oversold upturns or extremes in breadth and sentiment that usually signal a durable bottom.
Stockton compared the current environment to last April, which she described as swifter and less severe. She noted that the current breakout in oil prices began even before the war was initiated, suggesting a meaningful long-term turnaround. She warned that if the current resistance levels are breached, WTI crude could test the 2022 high of 130 and potentially reach 147. Given these peaks, she encouraged investors to wait for more weight of the evidence rather than chasing brief relief rallies. Talking about a quick resolution to the war (such as a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz) would invalidate her bearish outlook. Stockton maintained that the difficult market environment could persist, suggesting that reopening the strait may not be enough to fix a market with widened credit spreads.

Our Methodology
We used screeners to identify stocks that have gone public in the last 3 years, and limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds.
Note: All data was sourced on April 8.
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 Best Young Stocks to Buy Right Now
10. Versant Media Group Inc. (NASDAQ:VSNT)
Versant Media Group Inc. (NASDAQ:VSNT) is one of the best young stocks to buy right now. On April 2, Versant Media Group announced the acquisition of StockStory, which is an AI-powered financial analysis platform. This move is designed to bolster CNBC’s digital capabilities by integrating technology that provides real-time, actionable market insights and stock recommendations.
The acquisition aligns with Versant’s broader strategy to expand its core brands into new digital platforms and services. The integration of StockStory’s ML and data-driven frameworks will allow CNBC to provide faster and more scalable analysis of public companies. Deep Bagchee, Chief Product & Technology Officer for News at Versant, noted that the addition of these capabilities is intended to deepen engagement among retail investors across CNBC’s digital portfolio.
As part of the agreement, StockStory Founder and CEO Adam Hejl will join Versant Media Group Inc. (NASDAQ:VSNT), reporting to Deep Bagchee. The StockStory team will transition to support various product and technology initiatives, focusing initially on enhancing the digital investing tools available through CNBC’s platforms.
Versant Media Group Inc. (NASDAQ:VSNT) is a media company that produces, licenses, and acquires news, sports, and entertainment content. Versant Media was formerly a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
9. Everus Construction Group Inc. (NYSE:ECG)
Everus Construction Group Inc. (NYSE:ECG) is one of the best young stocks to buy right now. On April 2, Everus Construction acquired SE&M Constructor Inc., SE&M of the Triangle Inc., and SECO Rentals LLC for $158 million in cash. Headquartered in Elm City, North Carolina, SE&M is a specialist contractor providing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services primarily to the pharmaceutical, industrial, and health care sectors. The deal includes a potential earnout of up to 8% based on future performance, following SE&M’s 2025 revenue of $109 million.
The acquisition strengthens Everus’ presence in the Southeast region and diversifies its revenue mix through SE&M’s high-margin mechanical services and recurring maintenance work. SE&M generates ~60% of its revenue from the pharmaceutical and health care markets, maintaining long-term relationships with global health care firms. Everus intends to use this expertise to pursue new growth opportunities, including expanding into the data center submarket within the region.
SE&M’s existing leadership team, including CEO Zack Bynum and President Patrick Rogers, will remain with the company to ensure operational continuity. Everus Construction Group Inc. (NYSE:ECG) highlighted the alignment of SE&M’s safety-focused culture with its own strategic priorities and noted that the transaction was supported by its strong financial flexibility. The company expects to update its 2026 financial forecast during its upcoming Q1 earnings report.
Everus Construction Group Inc. (NYSE:ECG) is an engineering & construction company that offers contracting services to customers in various industries. It has two segments: Electrical & Mechanical and Transmission & Distribution.
8. Amentum Holdings Inc. (NYSE:AMTM)
Amentum Holdings Inc. (NYSE:AMTM) is one of the best young stocks to buy right now. On April 7, Amentum was awarded a $425 million contract by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to provide aerial firefighting support. The agreement features an initial 3-year term with 2 additional option years. Under this partnership, Amentum will manage the training, scheduling, and mobilization of a specialized workforce to protect California’s environment and infrastructure.
The contract tasks Amentum with delivering comprehensive aviation expertise, including the deployment of 350 elite pilots and mechanics. The company will use advanced technical solutions, such as AI-driven predictive maintenance and overhaul services, to ensure the state’s specialized aircraft fleet remains operational. These efforts are designed to support firefighting capabilities as California faces an increasingly year-round wildfire crisis.
According to Dr. Karl Spinnenweber, president of Amentum’s Mission Solutions business, the company’s logistics and deployment expertise will help safeguard the state’s communities and economy. Amentum Holdings Inc.’s (NYSE:AMTM) role involves ensuring that crews and aircraft are ready for immediate deployment for vital operations. This mission focuses on maintaining constant readiness to address the growing dangers and complexity of modern fire seasons.
Amentum Holdings Inc. (NYSE:AMTM) is a business services company that specializes in engineering and technology solutions through two segments: Digital Solutions and Global Engineering Solutions.
7. Karman Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KRMN)
Karman Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KRMN) is one of the best young stocks to buy right now. On March 25, Karman reported financial results for Q4 and the full-year 2025, highlighted by annual revenue of $471.5 million, which was a 36.6% increase year-over-year. The company achieved record annual net income of $17.4 million and saw its backlog grow to $801.1 million by year-end. Growth was driven by organic gains across all end-markets, particularly in tactical missiles and integrated defense systems, which rose 48.5% annually due to demand for drone and loitering munitions technologies.
During 2025 and early 2026, Karman completed several strategic milestones, including its IPO, which raised $581 million and a subsequent $1.2 billion secondary equity offering. The company also expanded its capabilities through three accretive acquisitions, including the January purchases of Seemann Composites and MSC. These additions have transitioned Karman into an all-domain provider and pushed its total backlog past the $1 billion mark as of March 20.
Karman Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KRMN) has now raised its full-year 2026 outlook, projecting revenue between $715 and $730 million and adjusted EBITDA between $207 and $218 million. CEO Jon Rambeau attributed this trajectory to a generational increase in demand for missile and munitions programs, the expansion of the space economy, and the establishment of multi-year government contracts. The company also upsized its revolving credit facility to $150 million to support growth.
Karman Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KRMN) is an aerospace & defense company that deals in mission-critical systems in the US. The company supplies products for hypersonic systems, strategic missile defense, tactical & integrated defense, and space & launch markets.
6. Smithfield Foods Inc. (NASDAQ:SFD)
Smithfield Foods Inc. (NASDAQ:SFD) is one of the best young stocks to buy right now. On March 24, Smithfield Foods reported financial results for the full year 2025, achieving an annual operating profit of $1.3 billion, which was a 15.6% increase over the previous year. Net sales reached $15.5 billion, supported by the company’s flagship Packaged Meats segment, which contributed over $1 billion in operating profit for the fourth consecutive year.
Following its first year post-IPO, the company announced a dividend increase to $1.25 per share for 2026, reflecting strong cash flow and a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.3x. In 2025, Smithfield also entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Nathan’s Famous, a move intended to transition the company from a manufacturer to a brand owner. Additionally, the company initiated plans for a modern processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, designed to enhance operational efficiency through advanced automation and streamlined design.
For 2026, Smithfield Foods Inc. (NASDAQ:SFD) expects low-single-digit sales growth and a total adjusted operating profit between $1.325 billion and $1.475 billion. The outlook includes 53 weeks of results but excludes the pending Nathan’s Famous transaction and the Sioux Falls capital investment.
Smithfield Foods Inc. (NASDAQ:SFD) is a packaged foods company that offers meats and fresh pork products through Packaged Meats, Fresh Pork, Hog Production, and Other segments. The company is a subsidiary of SFDS UK Holdings Limited.
While we acknowledge the potential of SFD to grow, 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 SFD and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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