In this article, we will look at the 11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now.
Are We In A Bull Market?
On June 28, Ed Yardeni, Yardeni Research president, appeared on CNBC’s ‘Closing Bell’ to talk about market outlook and more. Yardeni said that “we are still very much in a bull market,” and there is not much to be concerned about regarding the market dynamics. He said that the economy is continuing to show resilience, which is potentially going to result in the market going even higher.
READ ALSO: 13 Best Long Term Growth Stocks to Invest in Right Now and 13 Cheap Mid-Cap Stocks to Add to Your Portfolio.
While the market has shown some softness, he reasoned that much of that data is old, and a majority of the uncertainties causing market softness have now dissipated. Although trade isn’t a done issue yet, it will likely be so by the end of the summer, according to Yardeni. Therefore, what he is currently seeing is a fairly solid economy and a similarly robust stock market.
With these optimistic trends in view, let’s look at the 11 best strong buy stocks to invest in now.
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Our Methodology
We used Finviz and Tipranks to make a list of strong buy stocks and then selected the top 11 stocks with the highest analyst upside potential and consensus Strong Buy ratings. We also added the number of hedge fund holders for each stock as of Q1 2025. We sourced the hedge fund sentiment data from Insider Monkey’s database. The list is sorted in ascending order of analyst upside potential.
Note: All data was sourced on June 27.
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).
11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now
11. Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET)
Analyst Upside: 26.51%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36
Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) is one of the 11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now. On May 20, Mizuho analyst Gabriel Moreen raised the firm’s price target on Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) to $23 from $22, keeping an Outperform rating on the shares.
Mizuho updated the midstream estimates after fiscal Q1 results. Midstream’s first-quarter results appeared to confirm that the near-term outlook across the group remained almost the same. However, the analyst told investors in a research note that investors will direct their attention on posturing around growth in fiscal 2026 and ahead.
Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) reported $1.32 billion in net income attributable to partners for the quarter ending on March 31 compared to $1.24 billion for the same period last year. Net income per common unit for the quarter was $0.37. The company also reported adjusted EBITDA of $4.10 billion compared to $3.88 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) offers natural gas pipeline transmission and transportation services. The company’s operations are divided into the following segments: Intrastate Transportation and Storage, Interstate Transportation and Storage, Midstream, NGL and Refined Products Transportation and Services, Crude Oil Transportation and Services, Investment in Sunoco LP, Investment in USAC, and All Other.
10. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)
Analyst Upside: 26.53%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 70
ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) is one of the 11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now. On June 25, Wells Fargo analyst Roger Read maintained a Buy rating on ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), raising the price target to $117 from $113.
The company reported fiscal Q1 2025 earnings of $2.8 billion, or $2.23 per share, compared to $2.6 billion, or $2.15 per share in fiscal Q1 2024. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) also reported total company and Lower 48 production of 2,389 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOED) and 1,462 MBOED, respectively.
ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) is an exploration and production company that explores, transports, produces, and markets natural gas, crude oil, and bitumen. It operates through the following geographical segments: Alaska, Lower 48, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and North Africa, Asia Pacific, and Other International.
9. CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)
Analyst Upside: 27.43%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 91
CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) is one of the 11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now. On June 27, Citi analyst Anthony Pettinari maintained a Buy rating on CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) and set a price target of $112.00.
The company reported positive performance in fiscal Q1 2025, with adjusted EBITDA, revenues, and margins all surpassing those of the previous year. Total revenue for the quarter reached $6.8 billion, representing a 3% increase over the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal Q1 2025 was $495 million, 11% ahead. A 50-basis-point margin expansion also reflects CRH plc’s (NYSE:CRH) strong discipline and continued operational improvements across the business.
Management announced that it expects full-year adjusted EBITDA to be between $7.3 billion and $7.7 billion, provided the remainder of the year follows normal seasonal weather patterns and no major dislocations occur due to the macroeconomic or political environment. The outlook thus suggests another solid year of value creation and growth for CRH plc (NYSE:CRH).
CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) distributes and manufactures building materials and products for the construction industry. Its operations are divided into the following segments: Americas Materials Solutions, Americas Building Solutions, Europe Materials Solutions, and Europe Building Solutions.
8. Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM)
Analyst Upside: 29.24%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 46
Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) is one of the 11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now. On June 17, Citi analyst Brian Gong maintained a Buy rating on Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) and set a price target of $78.00. The analyst based the rating on the company’s market positioning and strategic financial initiatives.
A significant factor supporting the optimistic rating is the share repurchase agreement with MakeMyTrip (MMYT), in which Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) would remain the largest minority shareholder.
The analyst further reasoned that the deal is a positive factor for the company due to the current valuation of MakeMyTrip (MMYT), as well as the potential for higher shareholder returns resulting from increased offshore cash availability.
In addition, Gong said that concerns regarding JD’s expansion into the online travel agency sector appear to be mitigated, as JD has not significantly expanded its marketing initiatives, potentially missing the peak season.
Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) is a global one-stop travel platform that offers packaged tours, airline tickets, accommodations, corporate travel management, property management systems, advertising services, and more. The company operates under a range of brands, including Ctrip, Qunar, Trip.com, and Skyscanner.
7. Argenx SE (NASDAQ:ARGX)
Analyst Upside: 33.92%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 54
Argenx SE (NASDAQ:ARGX) is one of the 11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now. On June 16, Bank of America Securities analyst Tazeen Ahmad maintained a bullish stance on Argenx SE (NASDAQ:ARGX), giving it a Buy rating with an $804 price target. The analyst based the optimistic rating on the promising growth prospects of the company’s Vyvgart, especially in the treatment of CIDP and gMG.
The expert neurologist consulted in the report stated that Vyvgart has a suitable efficacy and a favorable safety profile, which is either comparable to or superior to that of the present treatments, such as IVIg. This factor has resulted in a notable uptake, especially in patients who have not responded well to IVIg. The analyst expects Vyvgart to capture around half the market share in CIDP over time, contributing to the positive rating for Argenx SE (NASDAQ:ARGX).
Ahmad further stated that Vyvgart’s role in the treatment of gMG is expanding, as it is becoming the leading biologic choice because of its safety and efficacy. The expected approval of the pre-filled syringe (PFS) may further support Vyvgart’s adoption, especially in large hospitals and rural areas with challenging infusion coordination.
Argenx SE (NASDAQ:ARGX) is a global immunology company that develops treatments for severe autoimmune diseases. The company operates through four segments: the United States, Japan, EMEA, and China.
6. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)
Analyst Upside: 34.02%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 56
AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) is one of the 11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now. On June 13, AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) announced that it had entered into a strategic research collaboration with CSPC Pharmaceuticals Group Limited, based in Shijiazhuang City. The research collaboration aims to discover and develop novel oral candidates with the hopes of treating diseases across multiple indications.
Under the agreement, the two companies will discover and develop pre-clinical candidates for various targets related to the treatment of diseases across chronic indications. This includes a pre-clinical small molecule oral therapy for immunological diseases.
CSPC would conduct the research in Shijiazhuang City, utilizing its AI-driven, dual-engine efficient drug discovery platform. The collaboration is expected to expand AstraZeneca PLC’s (NASDAQ:AZN) presence in China following the announcement of a $2.5 billion investment to develop a new global strategic R&D center in Beijing earlier in the year.
AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) is a biopharmaceutical company that explores, develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines. It supplies its products and services to specialty and primary care physicians. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) distributes its products and services through local representative offices and distributors.
5. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO)
Analyst Upside: 35.88%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 101
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) is one of the 11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now. In a report released on June 26, Brandon Couillard from Wells Fargo maintained a Buy rating on Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) with a price target of $570.00. The analyst based the rating on the company’s financial prospects and strategic positioning, stating that its recent amendment to the agreement with SOLV is a positive move for the company.
The amendment allows Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) to exclude the lower-margin Drinking Water Filtration business from the acquisition. The analyst expects this change to potentially expedite the transaction’s completion, simplify it significantly, and also reduce the purchase price, factors that boost the deal’s financial attractiveness.
Couillard further expects the amended deal to be accretive to Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.’s (NYSE:TMO) EPS, even after factoring in financing costs. The Drinking Water is non-core for the company, which is why the analyst considers its exclusion to be in line with Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.’s (NYSE:TMO) focus on higher-margin and higher-growth opportunities.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) provides analytical instruments, reagents, equipment, software, and other services for analysis, research, diagnostics, and discovery. It operates through the Analytical Instruments, Life Sciences Solutions, Laboratory Products and Services, and Specialty Diagnostics segments.
4. Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB)
Analyst Upside: 35.97%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 68
Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) is one of the 11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now. RBC Capital analyst Keith Mackey maintained a Buy rating on Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) on June 24, setting a price target of $48.00.
The analyst maintained an optimistic rating even after the company reported a 3% year-over-year drop in revenue to $8.49 billion, while GAAP EPS decreased 22% year-over-year to $0.58. However, cash flow from operations rose $333 million year-over-year to $660 million.
Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) provides energy technology and operates through the following business segments: Digital and Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems.
3. Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQIX)
Analyst Upside: 36.55%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 70
Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQIX) is one of the 11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now. On June 26, Raymond James analyst Frank Louthan double downgraded Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQIX) to Market Perform from Strong Buy without a price target after analyst day. The analyst stated that Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQIX) is in the middle of a multi-year shift in its business as it is endeavoring to position itself better for AI-based demand by doubling its capacity.
Louthan told investors in a research note that although these changes are likely to prove beneficial for the company in the long term, saying that “there will be some pain out of the gate, as indicated by the front end of the guidance.”
The firm further stated that Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQIX) has “muted” growth rates in the short term, and the spending outlook has a material uptick over the coming years as the company focuses on doubling its overall capacity.
Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQIX) is a digital infrastructure company with a platform that interconnects foundational infrastructure. Its offerings include interconnection services, digital services, data center services, and support services. The company operates through the following geographical segments: Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
2. MicroStrategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:MSTR)
Analyst Upside: 42.32%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33
MicroStrategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:MSTR) is one of the 11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now. In a report released on June 16, Gautam Chhugani from Bernstein maintained a Buy rating on MicroStrategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:MSTR) with a price target of $600.00.
The company recently reported in a regulatory filing that it acquired 245 BTC for an aggregate purchase price of $26 million during the period from June 16 to June 22. The filing stated that the acquisition brings the company’s aggregate BTC holdings to 592,345 as of June 22.
MicroStrategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:MSTR) engages in the development of the Bitcoin network through its operations in technology, financial markets, and advocacy. It is the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin.
1. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA)
Analyst Upside: 45.53%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 125
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is one of the 11 Best Strong Buy Stocks to Invest in Now. In a report released on June 24, Ellie Jiang from Macquarie maintained a Buy rating on Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) with a price target of HK$182.30.
The company reported notable results for the March quarter 2025, with revenue undergoing a 7% year-over-year increase to RMB 236,454 million ($32,584 million). Income from operations also underwent a significant 93% year-over-year increase to RMB28,465 million ($3,923 million). This growth was attributed to a drop in non-cash share-based compensation expenses and an increase in adjusted EBITA.
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) manages and provides technology infrastructure and marketing platforms. It operates through seven segments: China Commerce, International Commerce, Local Consumer Services, Cainiao, Cloud, Digital Media and Entertainment, and Innovation Initiatives and Others segment.
While we acknowledge the potential of BABA 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 BABA and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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