In this article, we will discuss the 12 Most Shorted Stocks to Buy in 2026.
Franklin Templeton expects real GDP growth in 2026 to be 2.5%, above the US Fed’s forecast of 2.3% and the consensus estimate of ~2%. As per the firm, continued capex spend by big technology firms, resilient consumer, and increased tax refunds, and the probability of future cuts in rates are expected to help achieve growth in GDP.
The US Fed is expected to cut short-term interest rates twice in 2026, added Franklin Templeton, while the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) should remain stable at 2.5% – 3.0% range. Overall, the investment firm is optimistic about US equities, setting a target range of 7,000-7,400 for the S&P 500. This is expected to stem from 8% – 13% YoY growth in EPS.
The expectations for inflation increased over the near term, with 1-year breakeven rates now coming at 4.22%. Finally, on the currency front, the investment firm expects the US dollar to be essentially flat for the year despite the volatility.
Amidst such trends, we will now have a look at the 12 Most Shorted Stocks to Buy in 2026.
Our Methodology
To list the 12 Most Shorted Stocks to Buy in 2026, we used a screener to shortlist the stocks that have a short interest exceeding 20% of the float. Next, we chose the ones popular among hedge funds, as of Q4 2025.
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).
12 Most Shorted Stocks to Buy in 2026
12. EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ:SATS)
EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ:SATS) is one of the 12 Most Shorted Stocks to Buy in 2026. On March 3, UBS analyst John Hodulik lifted its price objective on the company’s stock to $127 from $125 while maintaining a “Neutral” rating, as reported by The Fly.
As per the analyst, the Q4 2025 results were mixed as Pay TV declines continue to accelerate. Wireless losses improved amidst EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ:SATS) transitioning to an MVNO-focused strategy. The firm added that focus is on the value of non-operating assets, which include the SpaceX stake, the remaining spectrum holdings, etc.
In a different update, EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ:SATS) reported FY 2025 results, with net loss totaling $14.50 billion as compared to $119.55 million in the prior year. This was mainly because of non-cash asset impairments and other expenses of ~$17.63 billion. The company’s net pay-TV subscribers fell by ~168,000 in Q4 2025 as compared to a decline of ~253,000 in the year-ago quarter.
EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ:SATS) is a fully integrated global communications and content delivery leader, which provides technology, spectrum, engineering, manufacturing, networking services, television entertainment and connectivity.
11. IonQ, Inc. (NYSE:IONQ)
IonQ, Inc. (NYSE:IONQ) is one of the 12 Most Shorted Stocks to Buy in 2026. On March 10, the company announced a collaboration with the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS). This collaboration revolves around SEQCURE (i.e., Securing Experimental Quantum Computing Usage in Research Environments). The program is being sponsored by the Secretary of the Air Force’s Concepts, Development, and Management Office.
The collaboration focuses on advancing the present of quantum computing security. This will be done through analyzing existing commercial quantum computing security practices with the target of understanding how to deploy Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) to future quantum computers.
IonQ, Inc. (NYSE:IONQ) plans to help ARLIS in defining a ZTA framework, considering the standards placed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The collaboration builds on IonQ, Inc. (NYSE:IONQ)’s growing portfolio of federal partnerships, such as existing contracts with ARLIS, DARPA and the US Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). This demonstrates the company’s leadership in developing the world’s most complete quantum platform.
We recently covered that IonQ (IONQ) achieves record 2025 growth, you can read that update here.
10. Kinetik Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNTK)
Kinetik Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNTK) is one of the 12 Most Shorted Stocks to Buy in 2026. On March 9, RBC Capital analyst Elvira Scotto lifted the price objective on the company’s stock to $49 from $46 while keeping an “Outperform” rating post its Q4 2025 results, as reported by The Fly.
As per the analyst, the firm noted near-term headwinds resulting from Waha price-related shut-ins and expects that Kinetik Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNTK) can grow in H2 2026 and into FY 2027. This will be backed by incremental Permian Natural Gas takeaway coming online, and as Kinetik Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNTK)’s growth projects go into service.
In a separate release, Scotiabank lifted its price objective on the company’s stock to $49 from $48 while keeping an “Outperform” rating. While the company gave softer guidance compared to expectations, its medium-term outlook is strong.
Kinetik Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNTK) expects adjusted EBITDA of $950 million – $1,050 million, reflecting an increase of 7% YoY at the midpoint.
Kinetik Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNTK) is a fully integrated, pure-play, Permian-to-Gulf Coast midstream C-corporation, which is operating in the Delaware Basin.
9. Ondas Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS)
Ondas Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS) is one of the 12 Most Shorted Stocks to Buy in 2026. On March 10, the company announced that its subsidiary, 4M Defense, got the first operational order under the large-scale multi-year demining program in Israel. The initial order, pegged at ~$15.8 million, is the first phase of execution under the national land-clearance initiative that has been awarded to 4M Defense after the competitive tender valued at more than $30 million.
The project is expected to be implemented on the basis of defined milestones. The initial execution period is up to 3 years and has options for extensions and scope expansion as and when the program moves ahead. Ondas Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS) also noted that the contract has the potential for an additional $30 million in follow-on phases, reflecting up to $60 million program value.
In a separate release, Austin Bohlig, an analyst from Needham, reiterated a “Buy” rating on Ondas Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS)’s stock. The associated price target was $17.00. The rating is backed by several factors, most critical being the company’s agreement to acquire Mistral Inc.
We recently covered that Ondas (ONDS) invests $10M in World View for Stratospheric ISR Solutions, you can read that update here.
Ondas Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS) offers private wireless, drone, and automated data solutions.
8. TeraWulf Inc. (NASDAQ:WULF)
TeraWulf Inc. (NASDAQ:WULF) is one of the 12 Most Shorted Stocks to Buy in 2026. On March 11, Keefe Bruyette reduced its price objective on the company’s stock to $23 from $24, while keeping an “Outperform” rating, as reported by The Fly. To demonstrate the impact of increased spending and equity-method accounting for the Abernathy JV, the firm reduced TeraWulf Inc. (NASDAQ:WULF)’s EBITDA estimates.
Also, the firm expects the company to exit mining by the year-end. As per the analyst, the recent decline in TeraWulf Inc. (NASDAQ:WULF)’s stock price represents a strong buying opportunity. Furthermore, the firm believes that investors have been over-discounting the current lease value, or they are overly conservative about TeraWulf Inc. (NASDAQ:WULF)’s 2026 lease signings. Notably, the company’s stock fell by over 6% in the past month.
In a separate release, Rosenblatt raised its price target on the company’s stock to $23 from $20 while maintaining a “Buy” rating. Post a strong 2025, the firm believes that the company is one of the well-placed former Bitcoin miners for the AI-driven supercycle.
TeraWulf Inc. (NASDAQ:WULF) owns, develops, and operates digital infrastructure. The company is engaged in developing and operating bitcoin mining facilities for bitcoin mining and HPC workloads.
7. Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS)
Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS) is one of the 12 Most Shorted Stocks to Buy in 2026. On March 11, Barclays analyst Glen Santangelo lifted its price objective on the company’s stock to $29 from $25, while keeping an “Overweight” rating. The analyst highlighted that a strong increase in share price after the Novo Nordisk agreement reflects a significant market opportunity.
Additionally, it also demonstrates the removal of legal overhang for Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS)’s stock. As per the firm, the broader market has been underappreciating the company’s opportunity from new products.
Notably, in a different release, Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS) announced a collaboration with Novo Nordisk as part of a new strategy for weight loss care treatments involving GLP-1s. In the US, the company aims to offer GLP-1 customers access to a broad assortment of medications that are FDA-approved, and provide compounded semaglutide via the platform on a limited scale.
Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS is a consumer-first health and wellness platform, connecting consumers to licensed healthcare professionals.
6. NETSTREIT Corp. (NYSE:NTST)
NETSTREIT Corp. (NYSE:NTST) is one of the 12 Most Shorted Stocks to Buy in 2026. On March 11, Mizuho analyst Haendel St. Juste lifted its price objective on the company’s stock to $23 from $19, while keeping an “Outperform” rating, as reported by The Fly.
In an effort to reflect the impact of Q4 2025 results, the firm updated its targets for the broader real estate investment trust. As per the analyst, after the new war and an increase in oil prices, which have been driving inflation and slowing growth, the setup for the sector became less clear. The firm added that this combination has weighed on REITs and demand selectivity.
In a different update, BTIG lifted its price objective on NETSTREIT Corp. (NYSE:NTST)’s stock to $22 from $19, while keeping a “Buy” rating. As per the analyst, NETSTREIT Corp. (NYSE:NTST) witnessed a strong end to 2025 from an investment perspective and from a portfolio and capital structure repositioning viewpoint.
NETSTREIT Corp. (NYSE:NTST) is an internally managed REIT, specializing in acquiring single-tenant net lease retail properties.
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