On January 6, Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities joined ‘Closing Bell’ on CNBC to suggest that the tech bull market continues to play out. Ives referred to Nvidia’s Jensen Huang as the godfather of AI and predicted that Huang would plant the flag for the next chapter of the AI revolution. This phase transitions the narrative beyond just hardware and chips toward end-to-end involvement in robotics and autonomous tech. Ives argued that this shift toward robotics and autonomy is currently not factored into the stock price of Nvidia or other tech companies. He aligned this vision with the broader industry.
Earlier on December 19, Andrew Slimmon, senior portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, appeared on BNN Bloomberg to assess the outlook on US markets amid AI growth. Slimmon explained that AI-related stocks had recently rallied following a strong earnings report from Micron, which reassured investors that demand for memory chips remains massive. He noted a bipolar environment where stocks surge on fundamental news but sell off when investors become anxious during the quiet periods between reports. Addressing the potential for an AI bubble, Slimmon pointed out an incredible statistic: the S&P tech sector was actually trading at a lower forward P/E ratio than at the start of the year. He argued that the very fear of a bubble reined in valuations. He observed that only two or three of the MAG7 stocks have outperformed the S&P this year, despite strong earnings. He viewed this valuation constraint as a healthy long-term development that prevents the market from reaching dangerous extremes.
Looking ahead to 2026, Slimmon discussed market vulnerability and the necessity of a washout to reset bullish sentiment. He recalled that at the start of 2025, lofty price targets were reset by surprise tariffs, which actually prepared the market for another run. For 2026, he identified the Fed, rather than valuation, as the primary threat to the bull market.
That being said, we’re here with a list of the 12 best future stocks to buy for the long term.
Our Methodology
We sifted through financial media reports to find stocks with multi-year growth opportunities. We then selected stocks with a 5-year revenue growth rate of at least 15%, and that analysts and hedge funds are bullish on. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds that have stakes in them, as of Q3 2025.
Note: All data was sourced on January 16.
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 427.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 264 percentage points (see more details here).
12 Best Future Stocks to Buy For the Long Term
12. CleanSpark Inc. (NASDAQ:CLSK)
Average Upside Potential: 74.16%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34
CleanSpark Inc. (NASDAQ:CLSK) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the long term. On January 13, Northland started coverage of CleanSpark with an Outperform rating and a price target of $22.50. As a leading Bitcoin miner, the company currently operates approximately 50 EH/s of capacity within the US. The firm highlighted that CleanSpark is diversifying its infrastructure by expanding into HPC and AI datacenters. Northland believes that this shift creates abundant opportunities for the company to secure HPC lease agreements on highly favorable terms over the near to medium term.
Additionally, on January 8, Maxim also initiated coverage of CleanSpark Inc. (NASDAQ:CLSK) with a Buy rating and $22 price target on the shares. Maxim Group noted that CleanSpark is pivoting from its traditional focus on Bitcoin mining assets to AI data centers to capitalize on surging infrastructure demand.
This expansion is supported by the acquisition of a 285MW site in Texas (made earlier in October 2025) and a total of ~1.5GW of contracted power secured by November 2025. The firm highlighted that CleanSpark’s immediate access to power gives it a competitive edge and allows it to move faster than rivals who are currently stalled by significant approval delays.
CleanSpark Inc. (NASDAQ:CLSK) operates as a bitcoin mining company in the Americas. The company owns, leases, and operates data centers and power assets.
11. AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN)
Average Upside Potential: 9.65%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 54
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the long term. On January 6, Barclays analyst James Gordon raised the firm’s price target on AstraZeneca to 16,500 GBp from 14,000 GBp, while maintaining an Overweight rating on the shares.
On the same day, AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) also published positive full results from the Phase III TULIP-SC trial, confirming that the subcutaneous/SC administration of Saphnelo (anifrolumab) significantly reduces disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus/SLE. This is a vital outcome for the over 3.4 million people globally living with SLE, as roughly 50% of patients develop irreversible organ damage within 5 years due to persistent disease activity and chronic steroid use.
The trial showed that weekly 120 mg SC doses were well tolerated, with a safety profile mirroring the IV version. While Saphnelo IV is already approved in 70+ countries and has treated 40,000+ patients, the new SC formulation was approved in the EU in December 2025 and is currently under regulatory review in the US and Japan. This self-administered option via a pre-filled pen allows patients to manage their treatment outside of a clinic, aligning with global recommendations that emphasize early intervention and the pursuit of clinical remission.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines.
10. Axon Enterprise Inc. (NASDAQ:AXON)
Average Upside Potential: 25.95%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 61
Axon Enterprise Inc. (NASDAQ:AXON) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the long term. On January 6, Northcoast analyst Keith Housum upgraded Axon to Buy from Neutral, while setting a $742 price target on the shares.
Earlier on December 17, Morgan Stanley analyst Meta Marshall lowered the firm’s price target on Axon to $713 from $760 and kept an Overweight rating on the shares. In a year-ahead outlook, Marshall noted that the AI trade expanded beyond semiconductor stocks in 2025 to include infrastructure companies, specifically benefiting the optical sector. While the analyst believes that this momentum can continue through H1 2026, she cautioned that investors will need to be more selective for full-year returns.
In Q3 2025, the company reported that it achieved total revenue of $711 million, which was a 31% increase year-over-year. This growth was spearheaded by the Software and Services segment, which rose 41% to $305 million, while Connected Devices grew 24% to $405 million. Axon Enterprise Inc. (NASDAQ:AXON) highlighted the expansion of the Axon ecosystem through the introduction of Axon 911 and the integration of newly acquired companies, Prepared and Carbyne. These additions use AI and cloud infrastructure to enhance emergency response and voice communications.
Axon Enterprise Inc. (NASDAQ:AXON) provides public safety technology solutions in the US and internationally. The company operates in two segments: Software & Sensors and TASER.
9. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX)
Average Upside Potential: 14.30%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 61
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the long term. On January 12, Bernstein analyst William Pickering upgraded Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Outperform from Market Perform. As this sentiment was announced, Bernstein also officially named Vertex a top biotech pick for 2026.
Pickering noted that the biotech sector entered 2026 following an impressive comeback after a three-year downturn. This recovery was highlighted by a 36% gain in 2025, which the firm attributed to a combination of lower interest rates, increased acquisition activity, and a reduction in perceived policy risks.
Additionally, on January 6, UBS analyst Michael Yee assumed coverage of Vertex Pharmaceuticals with a Buy rating and a price target of $535, which was adjusted down from $546. Yee viewed the then-current risk/reward profile as attractive and noted that a stock pullback in 2025 has positioned the company well ahead of numerous data readouts scheduled for 2026-2027. A key factor in this positive outlook is the strength of Vertex’s core cystic fibrosis franchise.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) is a biotechnology company that develops and commercializes therapies for treating cystic fibrosis.
8. Workday Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY)
Average Upside Potential: 45.53%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 64
Workday Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the long term. On January 12, Goldman Sachs assumed coverage of Workday with a Neutral rating and $238 price target. This decision was made as Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on 12 software stocks, highlighting AI as a major long-term growth driver that will expand the sector’s TAM over the next decade. However, the firm offered a more cautious outlook on Workday and noted that its next stage of capturing market share may prove more challenging than previous cycles.
A day before that, Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of Workday with a Neutral rating and a price target of $238. This assessment was part of a broader sector analysis in which the firm assumed coverage of 12 different software stocks. While the firm has a bullish view of the long-term adoption of AI, Goldman Sachs expressed caution regarding Workday’s specific growth trajectory as the company may face increasing difficulty in securing further market share gains during its next phase of expansion.
Additionally, on January 5, RBC Capital adjusted its price target for Workday Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) from $320 down to $300, while maintaining an Outperform rating. The firm suggested that 2026 will be a pivotal year where companies prepared for enterprise AI adoption begin to see clear benefits, while those less prepared may struggle against the narrative that AI threatens the traditional software model.
Workday Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) provides enterprise cloud applications in the US and internationally.
7. Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU)
Average Upside Potential: 50.06%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 96
Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the long term. On January 8, Wells Fargo downgraded Intuit to Equal Weight from Overweight with a price target of $700, which was brought down from $840. The firm suggested that Intuit’s impressive performance in the tax sector last year will be a tough act to follow heading into 2026. A combination of high investor expectations and more difficult year-over-year comparisons creates a stiff uphill climb for the company’s near-term growth.
Prior to that, TD Cowen analyst Jared Levine initiated coverage of Intuit with a Buy rating and a price target of $802. The firm anticipated that the company would exceed consensus expectations and argued that the perceived risks associated with AI are currently exaggerated. Levine suggested that Intuit’s double-digit total return model remains underappreciated by the market at current share prices.
Additionally, on January 6, Truist also initiated coverage of Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) with a Buy rating and a price target of $739. The firm highlighted the company’s dominant market position and noted its extensive range of fintech products served through major brands, including TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp.
Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) provides financial management, payments & capital, compliance, and marketing products and services in the US.
6. S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI)
Average Upside Potential: 13.06%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 110
S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the long term. On January 13, Morgan Stanley raised its price target on S&P Global to $627 from $620 and maintained an Overweight rating on the shares. This sentiment was posted by the firm following a Q4 2025 preview, where the firm informed investors that robust activity in December capped off a strong issuance quarter, significantly outperforming initial projections.
On January 8, Evercore ISI analyst David Motemaden raised the price target for S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) to $632 from $629, while maintaining an Outperform rating. In a year-ahead note on the Business Services sector, the firm expressed a constructive outlook for rating agencies in 2026.
Earlier on December 16, Goldman Sachs increased its price target for S&P Global to $640 from $637, while maintaining a Buy rating. The firm anticipates healthy growth in debt issuance volumes and ratings revenue, driven by both structural and cyclical tailwinds over the near-to-medium term.
S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI), together with its subsidiaries, provides credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics, and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity, and automotive markets.
5. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)
Average Upside Potential: 14.82%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 114
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the long term. On January 8, Eli Lilly announced positive topline results from the pioneering TOGETHER-PsA Phase 3b trial. This study is the first controlled pharmacologic trial to evaluate the combined use of an incretin therapy, Zepbound (tirzepatide), alongside a biologic, Taltz (ixekizumab).
The trial by Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) focused on adults with active psoriatic arthritis/PsA who are also living with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. This is a demographic that represents ~65% of PsA patients in the US. The study met its primary endpoint at 36 weeks, with 31.7% of patients receiving the combined treatment achieving both a 50% improvement in PsA activity and at least a 10% reduction in body weight. In stark contrast, only 0.8% of patients receiving Taltz monotherapy reached this dual goal.
Furthermore, the combination therapy delivered a 64% relative increase in the proportion of patients achieving ACR50 compared to Taltz alone. These results suggest that treating underlying obesity directly reduces the overall burden of PsA. Safety findings were consistent with the known profiles of both medications; the most common adverse events for the combination arm included nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and injection site reactions, while the Taltz-only arm primarily saw injection site reactions and upper respiratory tract infections.
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals in the US, Europe, China, Japan, and internationally.
4. Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD)
Average Upside Potential: 24.79%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 115
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the long term. On January 15, Citi maintained a Neutral rating on AMD with a $260 price target. This decision was made following a transfer of coverage, when the firm noted that while the company’s AI division is expanding, this growth is being dampened by muted margin leverage. Citi explained that the costs of scaling are currently preventing AI gains from significantly boosting overall profitability.
Furthermore, on January 14, RBC Capital initiated coverage of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) with a Sector Perform rating and a price target of $230. The firm noted that while the OpenAI deal proves AMD is a credible GPU supplier for hyperscale projects, the stock’s current valuation likely already accounts for the expected 1GW initial ramps. Consequently, RBC Capital sees few immediate catalysts for the stock until the MI450 ramps for OpenAI in Q4.
Earlier on January 5, Advanced Micro Devices launched the Ryzen AI Embedded family, which is a new series of x86 processors designed specifically for edge AI applications. The portfolio introduces the P100 and X100 Series, which target sectors requiring HPC in compact environments, such as automotive digital cockpits, industrial automation, smart healthcare, and humanoid robotics.
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) operates as a semiconductor company worldwide. It operates in three segments: Data Center, Client and Gaming, and Embedded.
3. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)
Average Upside Potential: 11.16%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 120
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the long term. On January 14, Baird raised the firm’s price target on JPMorgan to $280 from $260 with an Underperform rating on the shares. The firm revised its financial model in response to Q4 2025 results, which highlighted strong Core Pre-Provision Net Revenue/PPNR and healthy credit quality.
On the same day, Truist increased its price target for JPMorgan to $334 from $331, while maintaining a Hold rating. Following the company’s Q4 2025 results, the firm updated its financial model and raised its 2026 EPS forecast by 50 cents to $21.25. This adjustment is driven by expectations of improved growth in market revenue over the next two years.
On January 13, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) released its Q4 2025 earnings report. The quarter was highlighted by a 7% year-over-year revenue increase to $46.8 billion. The firm achieved a quarterly net income of $13 billion with EPS of $4.63. For the full year, net income reached $57.5 billion (EPS of $20.18) on total revenue of $185 billion. A central theme of the report was the strategic acquisition of the Apple Card portfolio. JPMorgan recorded a $2.2 billion credit reserve build in Q4 to account for this transition, which temporarily impacted standardized risk-weighted assets by $23 billion.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through three segments: Consumer & Community Banking, Commercial & Investment Banking, and Asset & Wealth Management.
2. Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO)
Average Upside Potential: 30.90%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 183
Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the long term. On January 15, Citi kept a Buy rating on Broadcom with a $480 price target. Following a transfer of coverage, the firm established this new price target and issued a Buy rating, primarily driven by the company’s accelerating AI sales. The firm’s shift reflects increased confidence in the company’s ability to capitalize on AI demand.
On the same day, Wells Fargo upgraded Broadcom to Overweight from Equal Weight, while raising the price target to $430 from $410. The firm stated that concerns regarding gross margins are overdone. Additionally, Wells Fargo anticipates Google TPU upside, significant ramps for additional custom XPUs, and continued momentum in scale-out and scale-up networking.
Furthermore, on January 14, RBC Capital analyst Srini Pajjuri initiated coverage of Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) with a Sector Perform rating and a price target of $370. Pajjuri noted that while Google’s TPUs show significant near-term momentum, there are concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of the Anthropic ramp-up. Furthermore, the potential timing and scale of opportunities with OpenAI remain uncertain.
Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) designs, develops, and supplies various semiconductor devices and infrastructure software solutions internationally. The company operates in two segments: Semiconductor Solutions and Infrastructure Software.
1. Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Average Upside Potential: 26.07%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 332
Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the long term. On January 15, Amazon’s cloud division, AWS, launched the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, which is a new service designed to provide a secure, independent alternative for users concerned about data residency and the influence of US-based providers.
The data centers for this service are physically and legally isolated from Amazon’s global server network. This structure ensures that the cloud remains operational even under extreme circumstances, such as the EU being disconnected from the global internet or the US imposing software export prohibitions. The initiative addresses growing European anxieties regarding the US Cloud Act, which allows American authorities to access data stored abroad by US companies.
To ensure complete sovereign autonomy, AWS Germany CTO Michael Hanisch confirmed that the cloud will be operated and monitored by a German company. The management and advisory boards will consist of EU citizens, and eventually, all employees associated with the service will be required to hold EU citizenship. Amazon is backing this expansion with an investment exceeding 7.8 billion euros ($6.41 billion). The first data center is currently under construction in the German state of Brandenburg.
Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) engages in the retail sale of consumer products, advertising, and subscription services through online and physical stores in North America and internationally.
While we acknowledge the potential of AMZN 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 AMZN and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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