12 Best Stocks to Buy in 2026 for Beginners

Page 10 of 11

2. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)

Analyst Upside: 38.18%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 312

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the best stocks to buy in 2026 for beginners. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed a Buy rating on Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) on January 14 and set a price target of $650. In a separate development, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) unveiled an initiative on January 13 to limit data center power costs and its effect on the general population, along with the impacts of water use at its U.S. data centers, stating that it would pay utility rates that are high enough to cover its power costs. The company also plans to work with local utilities for the expansion of supply, where and when needed, for its data centers.

In addition, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) pledged to replenish more water than the amount consumed by its data centers, adding that it will start publishing information detailing water use in each data center region in the United States, alongside its progress on replenishment. Brad Smith, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, said in a statement:

“Especially when tech companies are so profitable, it’s both unfair and politically unrealistic for our industry to ask the public to shoulder added electricity costs for AI.”

Reuters reported the same day that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) did not respond to a request regarding the financial details of its initiative.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) develops and supports services, software, devices, and solutions. It operates through the Intelligent Cloud, Productivity and Business Processes, and More Personal Computing segments.

Page 10 of 11