In this article, we will take a look at the 11 Best Stocks You’ll Wish You Bought Sooner.
Discussions on best investment opportunities remain in the spotlight even as the macroeconomic signals point to looming uncertainty and shifts in the capital allocation strategies. On March 25, 2026, in one of its articles, CNBC reported that the probabilities of a recession, estimated by major institutions, are going up. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, warned that recession is to be perceived as a real threat, with the firm’s estimation placing the probability of a downturn within the next 12 months at 48.6%. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs and Wilmington Trust projects elevated risks of 30% and 45%, respectively.
Various factors contribute to this increase in probability, including the ongoing Iran conflict, alongside a labor market that has shown limited breadth outside healthcare hiring. The Fed Chair, Jerome Powell, stated that stagflation comparisons to the 1970s remain overstated and policymakers are trying to balance the inflation pressures with slowing employment growth.
Investment opportunities exist even in the midst of such troublesome market conditions. But they have to be availed before their price goes up. The legendary billionaire investor and philanthropist Warren Buffett has elegantly quoted this:
Opportunities come infrequently. When it rains gold, put out the bucket, not the thimble.
Against this backdrop, we have put together a list of 11 best stocks that will benefit your portfolio sooner rather than later.
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Our Methodology
To put together our list of 11 best stocks you’ll wish you bought sooner, we screened for stocks with a market cap of more than $2 billion and an average return on equity of more than 20% over the past 5 years. We narrowed our list further to companies with a 3-year performance of more than 50% and a price target of 20% or more. We then selected the 11 best stocks based on the number of hedge funds having a stake in each and ranked them in ascending order. We limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. All the pricing data are as of market close on March 29, 2026.
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).
11. Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 37
Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS) is one of the 11 best stocks you’ll wish you bought sooner.
On March 2, 2026, Leidos Holdings, Inc. raised approximately $1.387 billion through an unsecured offering of senior notes maturing in 2029 and 2036. The company aims to use the proceeds to fund the acquisition of KENE Parent, Inc., the parent company of Entrust. The notes were managed under a 2020 indenture with Citibank. To safeguard the interests of bondholders and highlight its acquisition-based growth strategy, the notes include a special mandatory redemption clause at 101% of principal if the transaction is not finalized by mid-August 2026. While the debt issuance is not strictly contingent on the deal’s closure, Leidos maintains strategic flexibility to utilize the proceeds for general corporate purposes, potentially impacting its long-term leverage profile and acquisition-driven growth strategy.
In another development, on March 11, 2026, Leidos Holdings, Inc. announced that it had secured a $454.9 million contract to modernize the U.S. Air Force’s Cloud One platform. The company partners with major cloud providers such as Amazon (AMZN) and Google to improve security and automation. This initiative supports the NorthStar 2030 strategy and assists in speeding up the mission-critical cloud adoption across the military.
Founded in 1969, Leidos Holdings, Inc. is a Fortune 500 science and technology company with a focus on serving defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. Based in Virginia, the company offers mission-critical solutions in cybersecurity, data analytics, and systems engineering.
10. PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 45
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM) is one of the 11 best stocks you’ll wish you bought sooner.
On March 5, 2026, The St. Joe Company (JOE) announced the establishment of a new strategic partnership with PulteGroup, Inc., the nation’s third-largest homebuilder. The collaboration aims to develop over 1,300 homesites in Bay County, Florida. The project features two gated communities within the Pigeon Creek area, with options to expand to 2,653 total units. The partnership with The St. Joe Company marks PulteGroup, Inc.’s first entry into Northwest Florida. Justin Cook, President for the Northeast Florida Division, PulteGroup, Inc., gave the following statement:
The location aligns perfectly with our portfolio of consumer-inspired designs.
Separately, on March 4, 2026, Truist initiated coverage on PulteGroup, Inc. with a Buy rating and a price target of $170. The firm forecasts 2026 as a bottom year for industry margins and demand. However, the firm’s analyst expects significant earnings growth in 2027. Truist believes that the market is currently mispricing PulteGroup, Inc.’s long-term profitability.
Founded in 1950, PulteGroup, Inc. is one of the largest U.S. homebuilders, operating under brands like Pulte, Del Webb, and Centex. The Georgia-based company provides various residential solutions including entry-level housing to active-adult homebuyers.
9. Fox Corporation (NASDAQ:FOXA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 51
Fox Corporation (NASDAQ:FOXA) is one of the 11 best stocks you’ll wish you bought sooner.
On March 18, 2026, Front Office Sports reported that Fox Corporation and Kalshi have entered advanced negotiations for a strategic partnership centered on Fox News and Fox Weather. Similar to Kalshi’s other integrations with CNN and CNBC, the new deal would involve incorporating the prediction market data into Fox’s news programming. Though Kalshi’s platform is heavily driven by sports trading, this potential agreement intends to exclude Fox Sports. Notably, Kalshi has been balancing support from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) against criminal charges and cease-and-desist orders from various states like Arizona.
In a more recent development, on March 27, 2026, Wells Fargo lowered the price target on Fox Corporation from $75 to $67. The firm’s analyst Steven Cahall kept an Equal Weight rating on the stock. Wells Fargo maintains a positive near-term outlook on cable advertising and 2026 EBITDA, but takes a cautious stance on the long term due to the NFL.
Founded in 2019 following The Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, Fox Corporation is an American multinational mass media company specializing in live news, sports, and streaming. Based in New York City, the company operates major brands including FOX News, FOX Sports, and Tubi.
8. Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 52
Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) is one of the 11 best stocks you’ll wish you bought sooner.
On March 9, 2026, Wolfe Research upgraded its rating on Brinker International, Inc. from Peer Perform to Outperform. The firm maintained a price target of $184 on the company’s stock. Wolfe Research cited the earned value credibility of the company’s Brinker’s Chili’s unit and the outperformance in its traffic.
In line with this sentiment, JPMorgan raised its price target on Brinker International, Inc. from $187 to $190 on March 16, 2026. The firm’s analyst John Ivankoe maintained an Overweight rating on the company’s stock. JPMorgan noted that Brinker International, Inc.’s Chili’s brand is “generating a flywheel of success,” and the momentum allows for reinvestments into a consistent remodeling program and provides a clear path for the company to return to unit growth.
According to CNN, Brinker International, Inc. maintains a consensus Buy rating from 23 analysts covering the company, as of March 29, 2026. The analysts have forecasted a 1-year average upside potential of 42.14%.
Founded in 1975, Brinker International, Inc. is one of the world’s leading casual dining restaurant companies. Headquartered in Texas, the company owns, operates, and franchises over 1,600 locations through its core brands, Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy.
7. Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 55
Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) is one of the 11 best stocks you’ll wish you bought sooner.
On March 23, 2026, Truist lowered the price target on Synchrony Financial from $84 to $71. The firm’s analyst kept a Hold rating on the company’s stock. The update was part of a broader research note on Financials. Truist is adjusting its financial models to reflect a higher cost of equity. In a research note, the analyst further told investors that the market is currently assigning lower-than-historical valuation multiples, necessitating these updated projections.
Separately, on March 9, 2026, Bank of America analyst Mihir Bhatia lowered the firm’s price target on Synchrony Financial by $6 from $96 to $90. Bhatia maintained a Buy rating on the stock. The firm was revising price targets for multiple consumer finance companies under its coverage. In addition to an increasingly uncertain macroeconomic environment, the analyst cited lower market multiples as the primary driver of these valuation adjustments.
Founded in 2003, Synchrony Financial is a premier consumer financial services company with headquarters in Connecticut. The company provides customized financing programs and analytics across platforms and industries, including digital, health and wellness, retail, telecommunications, home, auto, outdoor, pet, and other sectors.
6. Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE:THC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 62
Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE:THC) is one of the 11 best stocks you’ll wish you bought sooner.
On March 12, 2026, Guggenheim increased the price target on Tenet Healthcare Corporation from $271 to $283 and kept a Buy rating on the stock. In addition to the 90% return reported by the company, the firm identifies a few more reasons that validate its price target adjustment. This includes the analyst’s description of the first quarter as an “easy set-up” due to conservative guidance. The firm also views the projected 10% core EBITDA growth for 2026 as a manageable hurdle when compared to Tenet Healthcare Corporation’s historical outlook or expectations.
In a separate event that day, Mizuho raised its price target on Tenet Healthcare Corporation from $235 to $265. The firm maintained its Outperform rating on the company’s stock. This update follows the company’s Q4 report. The firm’s analyst anticipates the company will benefit from a positive demographic shift toward an aging population and a focus on higher-acuity surgeries.
Founded in 1969, Tenet Healthcare Corporation is a diversified healthcare services company. Based in Texas, the company operates through the Hospital Operations and Ambulatory Care segments.
5. Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 71
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM) is one of the 11 best stocks you’ll wish you bought sooner.
Howmet Aerospace Inc. announced investments in capacity expansion and technology in 2026 at the Bank of America Global Industrials Conference on March 17, 2026. The company’s CEO, John Plant, pointed out the increasing demand across commercial aerospace, defense, and industrial gas turbines, which was heavily contributed to by data center energy needs alongside fleet growth. With the intention of maintaining its competitive moat, Howmet Aerospace Inc. is incorporating advanced AI to increase the manufacturing yields and traceability. However, Plant acknowledges the challenges in the industry, including global machine tool lead times now exceeding two years. The company intends to balance strict profitability with capacity expansions to sail through the changing inventory cycles and supply chain constraints.
In another development, on March 11, 2026, RBC Capital raised its price target on Howmet Aerospace Inc. from $275 to $300 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the stock. The firm noted the Whitehall casting production facility highlighted by the company at its 2026 Technology and Markets Day and cited the company’s technology leadership and distinct business model in sustaining positive investor sentiment.
Founded in 1888, Howmet Aerospace Inc. is a global leader in engineered metal products for the aerospace and defense sectors. Headquartered in Pennsylvania, the company specializes in jet engine components, fastening systems, and titanium structural parts for high-stress environments.
4. Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 74
Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) is one of the 11 best stocks you’ll wish you bought sooner.
On March 24, 2026, BMO Capital cut its price target on Apollo Global Management, Inc. from $135 to $116. The firm’s analyst Etienne Ricard kept a Market Perform rating on the stock. The price target adjustment was part of a broader research note on Alternative Asset Manager names. Etienne cited rising BDC redemptions, credit instability in Asset-Based Finance markets, and AI-driven performance disruption as the key concerns. Furthermore, widening credit spreads and fraud allegations have intensified scrutiny over underwriting and downside protection. It was also noted that the market volatility is creating significant uncertainty regarding asset realizations.
In another development, on March 25, 2026, Apollo Global Management, Inc. announced that it has priced a $750 million offering of 5.700% senior notes due 2036. The Offering is expected to close on March 30, 2026, and generate approximately $745 million. Apollo Global Management, Inc. intends to utilize these funds for various corporate purposes, including the retirement of $500 million in outstanding 4.400% senior notes maturing later this year.
Founded in 1990, Apollo Global Management, Inc., is a global alternative asset manager. The New York-based company specializes in investments in credit, private equity, infrastructure, secondaries, and real estate markets.
3. American Express Company (NYSE:AXP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 83
American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) is one of the 11 best stocks you’ll wish you bought sooner.
On March 31, 2026, TD Cowen lowered the price target on American Express Company from $375 to $330 and maintained a Hold rating on the stock. With a preview of the first quarter, the firm has adjusted price targets in the consumer finance group. TD Cowen noted that the AI’s impact on employment and geopolitical tensions is driving up the macroeconomic uncertainty. The firm further identified gas price hikes as a significant headwind for low-income consumers, while noting that competition in auto lending remains elevated.
Earlier on March 26, 2026, American Express Company announced a partnership with fashion label STAUD to launch a limited-edition resort-wear collection as part of the celebration of the Gold Card’s 60th anniversary. The eight-piece capsule features travel-inspired motifs and honors the card’s 1966 debut. Eligible Gold Card members can earn a one-time $90 statement credit on qualifying STAUD purchases till June 30, 2026. With this partnership, the company has started off its yearlong series of commemorative anniversary events.
In another event, on March 23, 2026, Truist lowered its price target on American Express Company from $400 to $360. Analyst Brian Foran kept a Buy rating on the company’s stock. The revision was part of the firm’s broader research note on financials. In the analyst research note, Brian further cited the lower-than-historical multiples that the market is ascribing and the need to account for the higher cost of equity in the firm’s models.
Founded in 1850, American Express Company is an American bank holding company and multinational financial services corporation that offers credit cards, travel services, and expense management. Based in New York City, the company is known for its premium “closed-loop” network.
2. The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104
The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) is one of the 11 best stocks you’ll wish you bought sooner.
On March 6, 2026, The Charles Schwab Corporation announced the launch of the Schwab Teen Investor account. This joint brokerage platform is designed for individuals aged between 13 and 17 and their guardians. With this initiative, the company aims to provide the teens with hands-on investing experience through a diverse range of products and tailored financial education. The company wants to encourage early participation, so it’s offering $50 in fractional shares to users who complete an online education course within 45 days under the initiative. By combining professional 24/7 support with practical market exposure, the company believes its new strategic move will assist in developing the next generation of investors.
In a separate instance, on March 2, 2026, The Charles Schwab Corporation announced the completion of its acquisition of Forge Global Holdings, Inc. With this merger, Forge’s private market expertise is integrated into The Charles Schwab Corporation’s platform, providing access to pre-IPO shares for individual investors and RIAs. The all-cash deal enabled Forge shareholders to receive $45 per common share.
Founded in 1971, The Charles Schwab Corporation is a savings and loan holding company that provides brokerage, banking, and wealth management. Based in Texas, the company pioneered discount brokerage and manages $12.22 trillion in client assets.
1. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 146
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is one of the 11 best stocks you’ll wish you bought sooner.
On March 26, 2026, Netflix, Inc. raised its price across all subscription tiers for the first time since January 2025. The ad-supported plan has moved up to $8.99 – a $1 increase, while the premium tier reaches $26.99 – a $2 increase. These hikes support the company’s forecast of a $20 billion spend in 2026 on content, in its January earnings report. The spend covers expansions into live events and video podcasts. Prior to the price adjustments, in its January report, the company further stated that it anticipates revenue in the range of $50.7 billion to $51.7 billion, likely supported by increases in membership and pricing.
Separately, on March 27, 2026, Oppenheimer raised its price target for Netflix, Inc. from $125 to $135, maintaining an Outperform rating. The firm believes that the recent U.S. price hike boosts the company’s revenue and further cites Netflix, Inc.’s excellent consumer retention capabilities and industry-low churn.
Founded in 1997, Netflix, Inc. is one of the world’s leading entertainment services companies. Based in California, the company provides its members with a vast library of films, series, and games across various genres in 190 countries.
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