12 Best Growth Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2026

This article will discuss the 12 Best Growth Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2026.

On April 24, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at all-time highs; however, the bigger story is what’s driving them there and what’s coming next. With 139 S&P 500 companies having reported Q1 earnings, 81% beat estimates, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, analysts now project aggregate year-on-year earnings growth of 16.1%, up sharply from 14.4% forecast at the quarter’s start, per LSEG I/B/E/S data. Expectations for full-year 2026 growth have since leaped to nearly 20%, with technology, energy, and materials cited as likely drivers.

As of a day earlier, the S&P 500 surged 11% from its March low, with FOMO now becoming a market force of its own. “The biggest risk right now may be staying on the sidelines too long,” warned Michael Arone, chief investment strategist at State Street Investment Management. The tech-heavy Nasdaq alone is up 18% from its late-March low.

Accordingly, investors are piling back into technology, industrials, financials, AI, and data centers. Yet the most defining listings may still lie ahead.

On April 23, Reuters reported that SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic are collectively targeting a $3 trillion combined market value in what LPL Financial calls the largest IPO wave in history. With all three currently unprofitable, all three bet on AI-driven dominance.

Remarkably, SpaceX alone eyes a $1.75 trillion valuation, with a listing as early as June.

With this backdrop, we will now jump to our list of the 12 best growth stocks to buy and hold in 2026.

Methodology

To curate our list of the best growth stocks to buy and hold in 2026, we used the screener to identify stocks with a 5-year EPS CAGR of at least 20% and a forward one-year EPS growth rate of at least 15%. These stocks also have a 5-year revenue CAGR of at least 13% and a forward one-year revenue growth of at least 10%.

We then selected 12 stocks that were most popular among elite hedge funds and on which analysts were bullish. The stocks are ranked in ascending order by the number of hedge funds with stakes in them, as of Q4 2025.

Note: All data was extracted as of April 23, 2026.

12. Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ:SRAD)

With one-year EPS and revenue growth estimates of 47.92% and 14.68%, respectively, Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ:SRAD) earns a place on our list of the best growth stocks to buy and hold in 2026.

With those growth estimates, Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ:SRAD) remains a “Buy” among 90% of the covering analysts. At the same time, the consensus price target sits at $29.36, representing roughly 74% upside potential as of April 23, 2026.

That bullish sentiment stands intact as revenue for full-year 2025 came in at €1,290 million. Meanwhile, adjusted EBITDA rose 33% to €297 million.

Top-line growth (17% YoY), which yielded a 23% adjusted EBITDA margin, was attributable to growing product adoption across the business and the successful integration of IMG ARENA.

Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ:SRAD) is targeting constant-currency revenue growth of 23% to 25% in 2026, which management expects to translate to revenue of between €1,557 million and €1,582 million. On profitability, adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the €390 million to €400 million range, with the adjusted EBITDA margin set to expand by 200 to 225 basis points.

Not everyone is equally enthusiastic about the near term, though.

Truist trimmed its price target on April 21 to $26, down from $32, while keeping its “Buy” rating on Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ:SRAD) unchanged. The cut was part of a wider Q1 preview covering the gaming sector, and the firm’s read on the industry was cautious.

E-sports betting growth and uncertainty around prediction markets have kept digital trends under pressure, and the broader sector has struggled to attract investor attention as a result. Regional gaming has held up better, with more consumers opting to stay home rather than travel. According to the firm, Las Vegas has seen some improvement recently, but nothing dramatic enough to suggest a real inflection point.

For now, the setup heading into earnings reflects tempered expectations.

Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ:SRAD) operates as a provider of data services. The company offers its services to the media and sports betting industries across the Middle East, the United States, Africa, Switzerland, the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and Latin America.

11. Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX)

Backed by one-year EPS and revenue growth estimates of 33.58% and 19.42%, respectively, Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX) ranks among the best growth stocks to buy and hold in 2026.

Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX) has no shortage of analyst enthusiasm behind it right now.

As of April 23, 2026, every single analyst covering Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX) is on board with a Buy rating, and the consensus price target of $19.03 points to roughly 34% upside potential.

The one notable move came on April 21, when CIBC cut its price target to C$31 from C$32, a modest trim that did nothing to shake its conviction, as the firm held its “Outperform” rating on Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX) firmly in place.

The move was part of a routine Q1 preview the firm put out covering the gold and base metals sector. CIBC’s overall tone on gold remained positive.

TheFly reported that the firm pointed out that gold had sold off about 20% from its January high and that Federal Reserve rate expectations have been shifting, both of which could help the metal bounce back. CIBC said it sees current gold prices as a good entry point and is also becoming more constructive on base metals, given supply constraints in that space.

Those views sit well alongside what the company shared in its April 9, 2026, operational update.

In the first quarter, Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX) produced 197,628 ounces of gold, with 87,402 ounces from its Canadian assets. The company expects production to pick up through the second half, with Greenstone and Valentine both still in the process of ramping toward full production potential.

Meanwhile, operations at Valentine had a strong quarter.

The mine ran at 90% of its nameplate capacity on average throughout the quarter and actually surpassed that level, reaching 101% in February and March. Away from the mine site, Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX) also made solid progress on its finances, paying down $990 million in debt and announcing a dividend of $0.015 per share, both of which point to a stronger financial position.

Looking ahead, management has plans to expand Castle Mountain and Los Filos, two assets it believes can collectively add more than 450,000 ounces to its annual production.

Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX) is a mining company that focuses on exploring, acquiring, developing, and operating mineral properties across the Americas. The company mainly produces and sells gold and silver through its mining operations. It also offers gold production and development services with its primary customers including global refiners, bullion dealers, and gold investors. It was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

10. Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMCI)

With one-year EPS and revenue growth estimates of 32.89% and 21.40%, respectively, Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMCI) earns a place on our list of the best growth stocks to buy and hold in 2026.

Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMCI) is an interesting name to watch as of April 23, 2026. Analyst opinion on the stock is far from balanced, with only 30% of covering analysts carrying a “Buy” rating. However, at the same time, the consensus price target of $35 points to around 23% upside potential.

Meanwhile, Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMCI) has been busy on the product front.

On April 13, 2026, Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMCI) rolled out a new line of compact platforms running on AMD EPYC 4005 series processors. The launch is a direct reflection of where the company is putting its energy, building out its presence in edge AI infrastructure.

In plain terms, that means bringing computing power to the places that need it most: retail stores, factory floors, hospitals, and corporate branch offices, without having to rely on a far-off central data center. For businesses operating in tight spaces with limited power budgets, that kind of local computing capability matters.

So, rather than sending data all the way back to a central data center, the company’s goal is to run AI inferencing and general-purpose computing right where the data is being created.

The new lineup covers a range of form factors.

The AS-E300-14GR is a mini 1U system that supports up to 16 cores and 192GB of DDR5 memory. The AS-1116R-FN4 is a short-depth 1U rackmount designed with branch deployments in mind. Rounding out the family is the AS-3015TR-i4, a slim tower that can accommodate a dual-slot GPU card such as the NVIDIA RTX PRO 2000 Blackwell.

All three platforms are built on AMD’s Zen 5 architecture, with support for DDR5, PCIe Gen 5, and thermal design power as low as 65W. Security is also part of the package, with TPM 2.0 and AMD SEV built in, positioning Super Micro to go after demand for distributed, energy-efficient AI compute.

However, not everyone on the analyst side shares the same optimism.

Mizuho moved its price target on Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMCI) down to $25 from $33 on April 6, 2026, while keeping its “Neutral” rating unchanged. The firm did recognize that demand for AI servers is expected to hold up well through 2027, but raised a flag around China-related developments in the near term, indicating those could push some orders in the direction of competitors like Dell.

Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMCI) is a global technology company that designs and manufactures high‑performance server, storage, and networking solutions optimized for data centers, cloud, AI, and enterprise computing.

9. Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING)

Backed by one-year EPS and revenue growth estimates of 25.49% and 16.01%, respectively, Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) ranks among the best growth stocks to buy and hold in 2026.

Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) is sitting on solid analyst support heading into late April 2026.

A strong majority, around 84% of analysts covering Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING), are recommending it as a Buy, and the consensus price target of $189.19 suggests 53% upside potential.

However, that positive backdrop did not stop RBC Capital analyst Logan Reich from making an adjustment on April 20, 2026.

Reich trimmed the price target on Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) to $275 from $340, while reiterating an “Outperform” rating, ahead of the company’s first quarter results.

The firm is modeling a miss in same-store sales, citing ongoing macro pressures weighing on Wingstop’s core consumer base. Weather is also expected to have created an additional 100 basis point headwind during the quarter. Despite near-term softness, RBC sees strong franchisee returns on capital as supporting continued unit expansion and does not view the company’s unit growth outlook as being at elevated risk.

This cautious near-term read follows Wingstop’s results reported in February, which told a mixed story.

Revenue came in at $175.7 million, up 8.6%, while system-wide sales reached $1.3 billion, a 9.3% increase. Adjusted EBITDA followed suit, climbing 9.8% to $61.9 million. The one area that fell short was domestic same-store sales, which pulled back 5.8% over the period.

The full year 2025 results painted a stronger picture.

For the full year 2025, system-wide sales grew 12.1% to $5.3 billion, while net income reached $174.3 million, up 60.3%, a strong showing on the profitability front. Heading into 2026, Wingstop is forecasting flat to low-single-digit growth in domestic same-store sales, with global unit growth expected to land between 15% and 16%.

On the cost front, Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) has set out its expectations clearly.

SG&A is projected at $151 million to $154 million, stock-based compensation at around $32 million, interest expense at approximately $43 million, and depreciation and amortization at about $30 million.

The overall guidance points to a company that is pressing ahead with expansion while keeping a firm grip on costs and making the most of its operating leverage. The company will report its Q1 2026 results on April 29, 2026.

Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) is an operator and franchisor of restaurants under the Wingstop brand. The company operates its restaurants across the United States, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Puerto Rico, Bahrain, and the Netherlands. It was incorporated in 1994 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

8. Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ:PODD)

With one-year EPS and revenue growth estimates of 27.44% and 19.19%, respectively, Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ:PODD) earns a place on our list of the best growth stocks to buy and hold in 2026.

Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ:PODD) is heading into late April 2026 with strong analyst backing. As of April 23, the majority of analysts covering the stock have a Buy rating on it, and the consensus price target of $360 points to 87% upside potential.

On April 15, 2026, Truist analyst Richard Newitter lowered the firm’s price target on Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ:PODD) to $315 from $360, a measured revision that did little to shake his overall conviction.

Newitter kept the firm’s Buy rating firmly in place, noting that first-quarter results are expected to come in line or better, even as investor sentiment around volumes stays on the cautious side. He noted that Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ:PODD) currently trades at a slight discount to its peer group of high-growth profitable companies but argued it should trade at least in line with peers, if not at a premium, given its stronger revenue and profit growth profile.

That constructive view builds on Insulet’s fourth quarter results.

Revenue came in at $783.8 million, up 31.2% (29.0% in constant currency), exceeding the company’s guidance. Omnipod delivered growth in the quarter, with total revenue reaching $781.8 million, up 33.5% year-over-year. In the U.S., revenue reached $567.8 million, up 28.0%, while international revenue grew at an even stronger rate, rising 50.7% to $214 million.

For the full year, revenue grew 30.7% to $2.7 billion, and adjusted net income came in at $354.4 million, or $4.97 per diluted share.

Looking ahead to 2026, Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ:PODD) is guiding for first-quarter total revenue growth of 25% to 27%, with full-year growth of 20% to 22%. Omnipod is targeted to grow a bit faster, with projected first-quarter growth of 28% to 30% and full-year growth of 21% to 23%. Rounding out the guidance, the company is projecting around 100 basis points of margin expansion, and adjusted EPS growth is expected to exceed 25%.

Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ:PODD) is a medical device company that develops, markets, and manufactures an insulin infusion system for people with insulin-dependent diabetes. The company specializes in diabetes supplies, along with other diabetes related products and supplies, including pump supplies, traditional insulin pumps, blood glucose testing supplies, and pharmaceuticals.

7. Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ)

Backed by one-year EPS and revenue growth estimates of 31.86% and 11.06%, respectively, Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) ranks among the best growth stocks to buy and hold in 2026.

On April 22, 2026, BMO Capital initiated coverage on Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) with a “Market Perform” rating and a price target of $74. In doing so, the firm pointed to what it called a materially improved operating model, one that it believes could lay the groundwork for a more stable and lasting earnings profile over time.

That view sits alongside a broadly positive analyst picture as of April 23, 2026.

Roughly 80% of analysts covering Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) have a “Buy” rating on the stock, and the consensus price target of $86 points to roughly 20% upside potential.

BMO noted there is reasonable potential for upside to gross profit and earnings estimates, provided management follows through on its 2026 strategy. At the same time, the firm flagged that the stock’s recent rebound has brought the risk-reward ratio into better balance, which partly explains the neutral starting point on the rating.

One of the bigger questions BMO raised centers on Cash App, specifically, whether the platform can keep converting users into higher-value cohorts in a way that sustains 20% gross profit growth beyond 2026. That question around long-term monetization sits at the heart of the investment case for Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ).

It also connects to what Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) shared in its April 8, 2026, preliminary and unaudited update.

Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) projected Q1 2026 Cash App Bitcoin Ecosystem revenue of $1.7 billion, driven by total Bitcoin buy volume on the platform. The company also flagged a $172.8 million remeasurement loss on its Bitcoin investment, which will show up in GAAP earnings. Block was straightforward in noting that bitcoin-related activity can introduce volatility into reported revenue and net income, even when underlying operating metrics like gross profit hold relatively steady.

Full results are expected on May 7, 2026.

Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ), founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey and headquartered in Oakland, California, is a financial technology and services provider offering point-of-sale systems, digital payments, and consumer financial products.

6. Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX)

With one-year EPS and revenue growth estimates of 25.20% and 24.21%, respectively, Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX) earns a place on our list of the best growth stocks to buy and hold in 2026. Furthermore, the stock has upside potential of over 11% as of April 23, 2026.

Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX) came out with a solid set of first-quarter results on April 23, 2026. Total assets under management crossed the $1.3 trillion mark as the firm continued to attract large-scale investor capital amid some noise around private credit sentiment.

The standout contributor was Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX)’s credit and insurance business, which brought in $37 billion of inflows during the quarter. Private equity was not far behind, adding $20.4 billion. Management noted that institutional and insurance clients, who make up 75% of the credit platform’s assets, continued committing capital to the asset class, which helped cushion any broader concerns around private credit.

That said, there were some softer spots worth noting.

BCRED, Blackstone Inc.’s (NYSE:BX) flagship private credit fund, saw $3.7 billion in withdrawals during the period. President and COO Jonathan Gray was clear in pointing out that the redemptions were driven by a small number of large investors rather than the broader base of smaller investors in the fund.

Performance in private credit also took a step back.

Net returns were flat in the first quarter and up 5.7% over the last 12 months. Despite that, Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX)’s overall earnings held up well.

Distributable earnings rose 25% to $1.76 billion, or $1.36 per share, coming in just ahead of analyst expectations of $1.35. Net realizations also moved higher, climbing 26% to $448.4 million, supported by activity on the private equity side.

Founded in 1985, Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX) is the world’s largest alternative asset manager operating from its headquarters in New York.

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