In this article, we will look at the 10 Must-Buy US Stocks to Invest In.
US equity valuations appear stretched by multiple measures. Bank of America strategist Michael Hartnett cautions that of the 20 valuation indicators he tracks, all register the S&P 500 as overvalued. He noted that the index’s price-to-book ratio has risen to a record 5.3, surpassing the March 2000 dot-com peak of 5.1. Other valuation metrics, such as forward P/E and cyclically adjusted P/E, also hover near historical extremes seen in 1929, 2000, and 2021.
Meanwhile, trade policy uncertainty continues to unsettle markets. Back in late April, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon warned that ambiguity around tariffs is prompting CEOs to “tighten their belts,” with the firm’s “Tariff-Induced Recession Risk” report lowering the 2025 US growth forecast from 1.5% to 1.3% and raising the probability of recession from 35% to 45%. Solomon’s remarks weren’t just a snapshot; they were a leading indicator. The ambiguity he flagged has now crystallized into hard policy, and the economic drag is becoming more measurable. The Fed is caught between softening labor data and rising inflation, and Goldman believes the risk of stock-market decline has “suddenly spiked.”
At the same time, the “Magnificent 7” (megacap tech stocks) are shouldering most of the market gains. As described by the Financial Times, these megacaps have increasingly driven the S&P 500’s performance, prompting some investors to rotate toward the so-called “forgotten 493” stocks amid concerns over concentration risk.
Yet, even amid elevated valuations, policy ambiguity, and megacap dominance, select US stocks still offer meaningful upside potential. This post presents 10 names with the potential to perform even in a challenging market environment.
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Our Methodology
To identify the 10 Must-Buy US Stocks to Invest In, we used the Finviz stock screener to compile an initial group of US-listed equities. From this pool, we focused on well-known companies that had delivered year-to-date (YTD) returns exceeding 30% as of August 26, 2025. We determined the stocks’ popularity using hedge fund holdings data from Q2 2025 13F filings available in Insider Monkey’s database. The final list is ranked in ascending order by number of hedge fund holders.
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 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
Must-Buy US Stocks to Invest In
10. Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 56
Year-To-Date Returns: 32.22%
Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL) is one of the must-buy US stocks to invest in. On August 4, Wells Fargo upgraded Welltower to “Overweight” from “Equal Weight.” The firm set a new price target of $158, higher than the stock’s trading price of $138.81 at the time. The upgrade was timed with a recent drop in Welltower’s share price (down nearly 10% over the previous week), which analysts viewed as a buying opportunity for investors.
Wells Fargo’s analyst, Connor Siversky, stated: “We’ve been on the sidelines waiting for the right moment to get back into WELL and the recent pullback gives us an opportunity.” The firm’s positive view is based on strengths in Welltower’s senior housing operations, management team, and financial structure. The company has maintained consistent dividend payments for 50 consecutive years, with a current yield of 1.80%.
The analysts believe Welltower is well-positioned to handle economic challenges, such as tariffs and potential recessions. They expect the company to benefit from distressed investment opportunities due to market volatility and widening credit spreads.
Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL) is a real estate investment trust (REIT). It invests in healthcare infrastructure, owning and managing senior housing, post-acute care, and outpatient medical properties across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The company partners with leading healthcare operators and developers to provide modern facilities that address the growing demand for senior living and healthcare services.
9. RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 71
Year-To-Date Returns: 34.70%
RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) is one of the must-buy US stocks to invest in. The company announced on August 18 that its subsidiary, Raytheon, had successfully completed a 360-degree flight test for its Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The primary purpose of the test was to demonstrate the LTAMDS’s 360-degree sensing capability. The system utilized one of its secondary radar arrays to “track and intercept a complex, threat representative target.”
The test also validated the LTAMDS’s successful integration with the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), a PAC-3 MSE missile, which was used to intercept the target, and the Large Tactical Power Source (LTPS), a recently delivered component that provides increased power, enabling the radar to reach its “full battlespace potential.”
The LTAMDS is equipped with three radar arrays that provide “full-sector sensing capabilities” for 360-degree coverage. According to Raytheon, this design is intended to counter “massive, coordinated attacks” involving a mix of threats, including drones, advanced aircraft, and ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missiles.
RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) is an aerospace and defense company. It designs, manufactures, and services advanced systems and technologies for commercial, military, and government customers worldwide. The company operates through major business segments, including Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon.
8. Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 81
Year-To-Date Returns: 59.01%
Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH) is one of the must-buy US stocks to invest in. On August 19, Truist Securities reaffirmed its “Buy” rating on Amphenol and kept its price target at $126 following Amphenol’s announcement of its plan to acquire Trexon. Amphenol plans to acquire Trexon, a privately-held company specializing in high-reliability interconnect and cable assemblies for the defense market, for $1 billion in cash. The deal is expected to close in Q4 2025 and is projected to add about 1.3% to Amphenol’s sales and earnings per share within two years.
Truist Securities views the Trexon acquisition as a positive move, stating that acquisitions are Amphenol’s “highest-return use of cash.” They highlighted the deal as a factor supporting their “constructive outlook” on the stock. Truist also noted that Trexon is expected to generate $290 million in sales and a 26% EBITDA margin in 2025, contributing to Amphenol’s growth.
The Trexon deal follows Amphenol’s larger $10.5 billion acquisition of CommScope’s Connectivity and Cable Solutions segment, expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending shareholder approval. Truist sees Amphenol’s ongoing acquisition strategy as a way to expand its product offerings and market reach in the electronics components sector.
Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH) is a global electronics manufacturer. It designs, produces, and markets electrical, electronic, and fiber optic connectors, sensors, antennas, and interconnect systems. The company serves diverse end markets, including automotive, aerospace, industrial, IT, and mobile devices. It supports critical applications that require reliable connectivity and high-performance signal transmission.
7. Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 85
Year-To-Date Returns: 39.81%
Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) is one of the must-buy US stocks to invest in. On August 21, Cantor Fitzgerald raised its price target for Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX) to $120 from $115, reaffirming a Buy rating. The upgrade follows meetings with company leadership, where management expressed strong confidence in Lam’s growth trajectory through 2026, backed by new product platforms and a 23.7% revenue surge over the past year.
The firm highlighted Lam’s evolving focus on Foundry and Logic segments—areas now driving more growth than its traditional memory business. Unlike competitor Applied Materials, Lam reported stable demand from leading-edge customers and strengthening business in China, reinforcing its competitive edge.
Cantor sees a 2026 EPS of $6.00 as achievable, well above the $4.74 consensus, justifying the new target. With an Overweight rating and over 20% upside potential, Lam remains a top pick, supported by upward earnings revisions from 23 analysts and growing investor confidence.
Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) is a global leader in semiconductor processing equipment. Operating across major tech hubs including the U.S., China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Europe, the company plays a critical role in the fabrication of integrated circuits. Its product portfolio spans advanced deposition and etching technologies, including ALTUS for tungsten and molybdenum films, SABRE for copper interconnects, and SPEED and VECTOR systems for high-density plasma CVD. Lam also offers specialized tools like Striker for atomic layer deposition, Vantex and Flex for dielectric etch, and Kiyo and Syndion for conductor and via etching.
6. Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 94
Year-To-Date Returns: 33.31%
Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) is one of the must-buy US stocks to invest in. On August 18, Wolfe Research reaffirmed its “Outperform” rating on Micron Technology, with a price target of $160.
Wolfe Research outlined three main reasons for their positive outlook. First, they noted that Micron’s recent positive preannouncement indicates continued strength in pricing, despite concerns about potential demand pull-forward. Second, if Samsung qualifies for High Bandwidth Memory 4 (HBM4) in 2026, Wolfe Research believes SK Hynix, not Micron, would likely lose market share. Third, while Samsung’s entry into advanced HBM could pressure pricing, Wolfe expects Micron’s HBM4 gross margins to remain above the company’s corporate average.
Wolfe Research highlighted a significant opportunity for Micron in 2027 due to the Rubin Ultra’s increased HBM content, which offers “4x content per chip and 2x content per GPU.” They noted that industry capacity is not yet sufficient to meet this demand.
Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) designs and manufactures memory and storage products, including DRAM and NAND flash memory. It operates advanced fabrication facilities across the United States, with major investments in Idaho, New York, and Virginia to expand domestic chip production. The company supports critical US sectors, including AI, automotive, and defense, through high-performance memory solutions.
5. DoorDash, Inc. (NASDAQ:DASH)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 100
Year-To-Date Returns: 43.73%
DoorDash, Inc. (NASDAQ:DASH) is one of the must-buy US stocks to invest in. The EU Commission indicated on August 19 that it will review DoorDash’s planned acquisition of Deliveroo under the European Union’s simplified merger procedure. DoorDash reached a deal in May to acquire Deliveroo, a UK-based food delivery firm. The deal is a cash acquisition valued at approximately £2.9 billion, equivalent to roughly $3.9 billion. The offer of 180 pence per share represents a 44% premium to Deliveroo’s closing share price on April 4, 2025.
DoorDash officially notified the European Commission about the proposed acquisition on August 14, 2025. The Commission has identified September 19, 2025, as a provisional date by which a decision on the deal is expected.
If approved, the takeover would expand DoorDash’s presence in the UK and wider European market. The combined company could have a monthly active user base of around 50 million across over 40 countries, reaching more than 1 billion people. The 2024 combined gross transaction value (GTV) for the two companies is reported to be $90 billion.
DoorDash, Inc. (NASDAQ:DASH) operates an online platform for food, grocery, and retail delivery. It connects consumers with local and national merchants across the United States through its core DoorDash Marketplace and white-label logistics service, DoorDash Drive. The company partners with major brands, such as McDonald’s and Walmart, to expand last-mile delivery and streamline digital ordering.
4. GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 106
Year-To-Date Returns: 77.70%
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) is one of the must-buy US stocks to invest in. On August 19, the company said it is investing at least $41 million in its Center of Excellence for steam and generator assembly and testing in downtown Schenectady, New York. The investment is intended to expand the company’s generator capacity to meet increased global customer demand for electricity. The funding will be used to renovate existing space, purchase and install new machinery and equipment, and provide employee training. This will allow for enhancements in the manufacturing of the company’s H65 and H84 generators.
The project is expected to create 50 new, high-tech jobs at the Schenectady facility. Many of these jobs are planned to be union labor. Empire State Development is supporting the expansion with up to $1 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits.
This move is part of a series of recent investments by GE Vernova in the Schenectady area. Since 2023, the company has announced more than $130 million in site improvements and expansions in the region, which are expected to create over 300 new jobs in total.
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) is an energy technology company. It operates across power generation, wind energy, and electrification. The company offers a range of products, including gas turbines, wind turbines, grid solutions, and energy storage systems.
3. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 124
Year-To-Date Returns: 41.79%
Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is one of the must-buy US stocks to invest in. On August 18, Oracle’s longtime Chief Security Officer, Mary Ann Davidson, one of the most prominent women in cybersecurity, announced her departure as part of a company restructuring. Davidson had been with Oracle for nearly 40 years and was one of the most prominent women in the cybersecurity industry.
The departure comes as Oracle is undergoing a broader corporate restructuring. The company has been trimming jobs to control costs while making heavy investments in AI infrastructure. While Oracle has not officially commented on Davidson’s exit, a June filing revealed that Robert Duhart, a Senior Vice President, now oversees day-to-day cybersecurity operations. Duhart previously served as chief information security officer for Walmart.
Davidson was Oracle’s first CSO and was a close advisor to co-founder Larry Ellison. She was credited with playing a key role in shaping the company’s product security policies and developing industry-leading systems and processes for testing Oracle’s code for vulnerabilities.
Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is a multinational technology company. It develops and sells enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, and database solutions to US businesses, government agencies, and institutions. Its core offerings include Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Fusion Cloud Applications, and the Autonomous Database.
2. Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 152
Year-To-Date Returns: 50.64%
Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) is one of the must-buy US stocks to invest in. On August 19, TD Cowen reaffirmed its “Buy” rating and $108 price target on Uber, following a meeting with company executives. TD Cowen expressed an “incrementally positive” view on Uber’s future after discussions with Uber’s Head of Investor Relations and CFO of Uber Mobility and Delivery, Balaji Krishnamurthy.
The meeting covered several aspects of Uber’s business, including: growth in US trip numbers; decreasing insurance cost growth; autonomous vehicle (AV) business models and Uber’s AV partnership strategy; Uber One membership program; cross-platform initiatives; and the company’s advertising business.
TD Cowen highlighted Uber’s ability to innovate, adapt, and expand its service portfolio, including features such as route sharing and enhanced Uber Eats options aimed at improving cost efficiency. They also noted the company’s stronger-than-expected second-quarter results, with record user numbers and increased trip frequency. Uber reported an 18% year-over-year revenue increase for Q2 2025, with gross bookings up 17% YoY to $46.8 billion, and adjusted EBITDA grew 35% YoY to $2.1 billion.
Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) is a technology and mobility company. It operates a global platform that offers ride-hailing, food delivery through Uber Eats, and freight logistics services. The company leverages its network, data, and technology infrastructure to connect consumers, drivers, couriers, and shippers across more than 70 countries.
1. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 235
Year-To-Date Returns: 30.01%
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is one of the must-buy US stocks to invest in. On August 20, Field AI, a robotics startup backed by Nvidia’s venture capital arm, the Jeff Bezos’ family office, and Bill Gates, raised a total of $405 million across two recent funding rounds. These funding rounds have valued the two-year-old company at $2 billion, up from a $500 million valuation in 2024. The recent rounds were oversubscribed, with more investors seeking to participate than the company initially expected.
Field AI specializes in developing software brains, or Field Foundation Models (FFMs), that control robots operating autonomously in dynamic, unstructured environments without predefined maps or GPS. Its platform supports various robot hardware, including humanoids, quadrupeds, wheeled robots, and passenger-scale vehicles, enabling deployment across multiple industries, such as construction, energy, manufacturing, logistics, and urban delivery. The startup’s technology is designed explicitly for robotics, contrasting with attempts to retrofit large language or vision AI models onto robots.
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is a semiconductor and computing company. It designs graphics processing units (GPUs), system-on-chip units, and software platforms that power applications in gaming, artificial intelligence, data centers, and autonomous vehicles. The company’s CUDA ecosystem and accelerated computing technologies have enabled it to become a leader in AI infrastructure and high-performance computing worldwide.
While we acknowledge the potential of NVDA 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 NVDA and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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