In this article, we will take a look at the most profitable stocks in each sector so far in 2026.

In a changing market landscape, investors are increasingly focused on profits and returns. Amid growth narratives and speculative bets, some companies across all sectors remain committed to fundamentals, including strong top-line growth, robust margins, and earnings growth.

Markets are once again on edge as traders note the developments around the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. A Reuters article on April 7 reported that UBS Global Wealth Management lowered its S&P 500 target for the year, suggesting that a continued rise in oil prices could weigh on U.S. economic growth and inflation. Since the war with Iran started on February 28, ​the benchmark index has declined nearly 3.9%. This fall stems from geopolitical risks and rising oil prices, pushing investors to step back from equities.

According to UBS, the Middle East conflict will ease in the coming weeks, allowing energy flows to resume slowly, Reuters noted. However, bringing oil production back to pre-conflict levels will take time due to infrastructure damage, the firm added.

Despite the index target cut, UBS reaffirmed an “attractive” view on U.S. equities and maintained its ​S&P ⁠500 earnings per share forecast for 2026 at $310. As stated by the firm,

“As the negative effects of the war begin to fade, we expect stocks to be buoyed by a combination of ⁠still solid ​profit growth, a Fed that remains broadly ​supportive even if policy easing is delayed, and the continued adoption and monetization of AI.”

Keeping this outlook in mind, we have compiled a list of the most profitable stocks in each sector so far in 2026.

Our Methodology

For this article, we looked at stocks that have been most profitable for investors from a share-price return perspective. We filtered for companies with a market capitalization of over $2 billion and a year-to-date price change of more than 20%. We then shortlisted the stocks with the highest YTD price change for each sector. We limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks were then ranked according to the number of hedge fund holdings.

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. Almonty Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:ALM)

Number of Hedge Fund holdings: N/A

Sector: Basic Materials

YTD Return: 96.29%

Almonty Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:ALM) is among the most profitable stocks in each sector so far in 2026. On March 20, TheFly reported that B. Riley lifted the price target on Almonty Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:ALM) to $23 from $17 and maintained a Buy rating. Forecasts have been revised to better reflect the Sangdong Tungsten Mine commissioning and an improved APT pricing backdrop after the fourth-quarter earnings report, the analyst said, adding that the prices climbed to nearly $2,250/MTU and the long-term deck increased to $800/MTU.

On the same day, Oppenheimer also elevated the price target on Almonty Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:ALM) from $16 to $19 and reiterated an Outperform rating after Q4 results. Back on March 16, the company announced the successful completion of Phase 1 commissioning at its Sangdong Mine. The processing plan has an annual capacity of approximately 640K tons of ore, the firm said.

According to Alliance Global, Almonty Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:ALM) is the “primary avenue for investors to gain exposure to tungsten prices going forward,” as it is the leader in the tungsten market. The firm boosted the price target on the company to $19.25, up from $14, and reaffirmed a Buy rating on March 20.

Almonty Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:ALM) is a Canadian company that mines and ships tungsten concentrates, while exploring for tin and tungsten deposits. The company has 100% interests in projects and mines based in Canada, Korea, Portugal, Spain, and the United States.

10. Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo – SABESP (NYSE:SBS)

Number of Hedge Fund holdings: 17

Sector: Utilities

YTD Return: 31.58%

Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo – SABESP (NYSE:SBS) is among the 11 most profitable stocks in each sector so far in 2026. As of March 6, Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo – SABESP (NYSE:SBS) is a consensus buy among 93% of the analysts covering the stock. The 1-year median price target of $31.08 reflects an upside potential of mere 2.68%. On March 19, Jefferies started coverage with a Buy rating and a price target of $36.60, being one of the firms bullish on the company.

The firm believes that Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo – SABESP (NYSE:SBS) has the potential to enhance operational efficiency and accelerate water and sewage coverage under favorable regulatory conditions. That said, Jefferies expects the company’s regulatory asset base to climb 70% by 2029.

As stated by analyst Alejandro Demichelis,

“We launch on Brazil’s largest water utility Sabesp at Buy with a US$36.6/BRL190 PT. While the stock has performed well YTD, to us the market still under-appreciates its scope to ramp up operational efficiencies and water/sewage coverage under supportive regulation.”

Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo – SABESP (NYSE:SBS) is a Brazilian company that provides basic and environmental sanitation services. Founded in 1954, the company offers treated water and sewage services.

9. Adecoagro S.A. (NYSE:AGRO)

Number of Hedge Fund holdings: 20

Sector: Consumer Defensive

YTD Return: 78.44%

Adecoagro S.A. (NYSE:AGRO) is among the 11 most profitable stocks in each sector so far in 2026. On March 30, UBS upgraded Adecoagro S.A. (NYSE:AGRO) to Buy from Neutral and lifted the price target from $8 to $16.20. The firm associated its improved outlook on the company with the Profertil acquisition and stronger commodity price assumptions. Additionally, the firm’s analysis now includes the Fertilizers segment in the company’s financial projections, which is behind most of the consolidated financial surge.

According to UBS, the market underappreciates EBITDA and cash flow upside from the Fertilizers division, with current valuation pointing to EBITDA about 10-20% lower than the firm’s forecasts for 2026-27. If we consider the stock’s YTD performance, it has impressively appreciated by approximately 78%. This was mainly due to the urea price hike after Middle East supply disruptions.

During the Q4 earnings call, Adecoagro S.A. (NYSE:AGRO) outlined its commitment to improved performance in 2026, with an emphasis on enhancing ethanol production. The company also projects a complete rebound in adjusted EBITDA for the fertilizers business, along with a favorable market environment for urea and ammonia.

Adecoagro S.A. (NYSE:AGRO) is a Luxembourg-based company that engages in agricultural and agro-industrial activities. Incorporated in 2002, the company operates through two segments: Farming, and Sugar, Ethanol, and Energy.

8. Uniti Group Inc. (NASDAQ:UNIT)

Number of Hedge Fund holdings: 22

Sector: Real Estate

YTD Return: 50.21%

Uniti Group Inc. (NASDAQ:UNIT) is among the 11 most profitable stocks in each sector so far in 2026. On April 1, Raymond James reaffirmed a Strong Buy rating on Uniti Group Inc. (NASDAQ:UNIT) with a price target of $11. As highlighted by the firm, the company’s share price ended the last half hour of Q1 with a 15.8% spike, driving nearly half of its 33.8% move for the quarter.

This comes as a TMT Finance article pointed to a possible acquisition of the company by TPG and T-Mobile (NASDAQ:TMUS), which the firm believes makes sense due to the growing interest of T-Mobile in more fiber-to-the-home passings.

The analyst further said that there is uncertainty around the fate of the legacy incumbent local exchange carrier that T-Mobile isn’t looking for, adding that TPG could run the asset for cash over the upcoming few years. Raymond James believes other carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, and Bell Canada, may also show interest, with a live buyer likely accelerating their participation.

During the 47th Annual Raymond James Institutional Investor Conference on March 4, Uniti Group Inc. (NASDAQ:UNIT) noted that the company targets a 40% penetration rate in the long term, with an emphasis on converting DSL customers to fiber. The company also considers buying and selling assets.

Uniti Group Inc. (NASDAQ:UNIT) is a Delaware-based premier insurgent fiber provider that facilitates mission-critical connectivity. Incorporated in 2015, the company builds efficient communications services.

7. Amprius Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AMPX)

Number of Hedge Fund holdings: 27

Sector: Industrials

YTD Return: 120.78%

Amprius Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AMPX) is among the 11 most profitable stocks in each sector so far in 2026. During the 38th Annual Roth Conference on March 23, Amprius Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AMPX) announced its strategic shift towards outsourced manufacturing, while highlighting meaningful developments in silicon anode battery technology. The company also noted strong revenue growth and emphasized its future goals.

Just last year, Amprius Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AMPX) reported a threefold surge in revenue. For 2026, the goal is to achieve over 25% gross margins, with a few offerings already surpassing 30%, along with a 70% growth. What strengthens the case for the company is its involvement in the Drone Dominance Act initiatives and possible opportunities with Amazon.

For the future, Amprius Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AMPX) is focused on sustaining its position in energy density, aiming for higher watt-hours per kilogram. Additionally, the company is focusing on improving the power capabilities of its batteries to meet eVTOL requirements.

Earlier on March 9, B. Riley lifted the price target on Amprius Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AMPX) to $22 from $16 and maintained a Buy rating. Some of the factors behind this optimism are above consensus baseline revenue guidance for 2026, quicker advancement toward NDAA-approved battery production, and robust growth visibility across rising electric mobility markets.

Amprius Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AMPX) is a California-based provider of lithium-ion batteries for mobility applications. Incorporated in 2008, the company’s core offerings are offered through SiCore and SiMaxx product platforms.

6. Erasca, Inc. (NASDAQ:ERAS)

Number of Hedge Fund holdings: 32

Sector: Healthcare

YTD Return: 354.57%

Erasca, Inc. (NASDAQ:ERAS) is among the 11 most profitable stocks in each sector so far in 2026. On March 18, JPMorgan lifted the price target on Erasca, Inc. (NASDAQ:ERAS) to $25 from $24 and maintained an Overweight rating. This upward price revision is based on the firm’s model adjustments within the SMID-cap biotechnology group.

Back on March 13, Stifel reaffirmed a Buy rating on Erasca, Inc. (NASDAQ:ERAS) with a price target of $20. This comes after the company’s Q4 results, in which it reported a net loss of $29.1 million for the quarter and $124.6 million for 2025.

Additionally, Erasca, Inc. (NASDAQ:ERAS) maintained cash and cash equivalents of $341.8 million as of the year-end. What bolsters the case for the company is its nearly $434 million in pro forma cash to fund operations in the latter half of 2028. Stifel highlights that the cash runway stretches past key ERAS-0015 clinical catalysts planned for the first half of this year and the next.

On the same day, H.C. Wainwright elevated the price target on Erasca, Inc. (NASDAQ:ERAS) from $15 to $20. This optimism is driven by the trial data, which demonstrated two confirmed partial responses and one unconfirmed partial response in patients living with tumors. The firm has an unchanged Buy rating on the stock.

Erasca, Inc. (NASDAQ:ERAS) is a California-based clinical-stage precision oncology company that provides solutions for patients with RAS/MAPK pathway-driven cancers. The company’s core therapies include ERAS-0015, ERAS-4001, and ERAS-12.

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