In this article, we will look at the 13 Best Large Cap Stocks to Invest in For the Long Term.
On November 20, Warren Pies, 3Fourteen Research, appeared on CNBC’s ‘Closing Bell’ to talk about the market fundamentals and his opinion on the equity markets.
Pies does not see anything fundamentally broken in today’s markets and stated that if we go through our checklist, we can see that a recession does not seem imminent. While there is some slowness and the labor market is a point of pain, the Fed is addressing that. In addition, 60% of the S&P 500 companies are reporting positive results, which is in the top 30 percentile historically and not what you typically see when entering a recession.
READ ALSO: 13 Cheap Stocks Under $10 to Buy Now and 14 Best Undervalued Stocks to Buy Under $50.
What the market did have, according to him, was sentiment, which was off the charts extreme optimism as we came through the summer months. Additionally, we did not have any pullbacks, the first pullback of 3% in 137 trading days, which he called a “crazy long streak”. Breaking that streak feels scary for a lot of people, according to Pies, but he just considers it a sentiment reset.
With these trends in view, let’s look at the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term.
Our Methodology
We used Finviz and cross checked stocks across ETFs and rankings of long term stocks to compile a list of top large cap stocks with a 5-year revenue growth above 10% and positive analyst sentiment. We then selected the top 13 stocks with the highest number of hedge fund holders as of Q2 2025, sourcing the hedge fund sentiment data from Insider Monkey’s database. The list is sorted in ascending order of hedge fund sentiment.
Note: All data was recorded on November 21.
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).
13 Best Large Cap Stocks to Invest in For the Long Term
13. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 14.37%
Analyst Upside: 11.11%
Market Cap: $107.15 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 53
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) was initiated with an Outperform rating by Scotiabank on November 12 with a $495 price target. The same day, Evercore ISI reiterated a Buy rating on the stock. However, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) received Hold ratings from Maxim Group analyst Naz Rehman on November 11 and Needham’s Joseph Stringer on November 10.
The rating updates followed the company’s announcement on November 8 concerning the updated data for povetacicept (pove) in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and primary membranous nephropathy (pMN) from the ongoing RUBY-3 trial at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) reported that the 48-week data reflected a 64% drop from aseline in proteinuria in IgA nephropathy, along with an “82% decrease from baseline in proteinuria in primary membranous nephropathy, and stabilization of estimated glomerular filtration rate across both diseases”.
Pove is an “investigational recombinant fusion protein therapeutic and dual inhibitor of the BAFF (B cell activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation inducing ligand) cytokines”, and is the only BAFF+APRIL inhibitor in pivotal trials for several kidney diseases.
Management further reported that Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) is on the path to initiate rolling submission of a Biologics License Application for potential accelerated approval to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this year.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) is a global biotechnology company that develops medicines for rare, serious diseases. Its four approved medicines treat cystic fibrosis (CF), and one approved therapy treats severe sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT). The company’s product pipeline includes clinical-stage programs for various disorders, including TDT, SCD, CF, acute and neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
12. CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 46.01%
Analyst Upside: 3.04%
Market Cap: $125.81 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 66
CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. On November 21, Oppenheimer lifted the price target on CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD) to $580 from $560 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm supported the optimistic rating with the positive October-end checks for the company, stating that it showed the fourth consecutive quarter of partners tracking above plan.
Separately, CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD) announced a major global partnership with CoreWeave, The Essential Cloud for AI™, on November 5, focused on securing an AI cloud foundation for the agentic era and accelerating the “march” towards secure AGI.
Management reported that the collaboration combines CrowdStrike Falcon® platform’s protection and CoreWeave’s high-performance AI Cloud to “secure and accelerate the complex computing workloads that drive modern AI innovation – protecting the systems where intelligence is built, trained, and deployed”. The collaboration empowers AI pioneers for faster and more confident innovation on infrastructure secured by design.
CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD) offers cybersecurity services and products to prevent breaches. Its offerings include cloud-delivered protection across endpoints, threat hunting, managed security services, IT operations management, log management, and more.
11. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 23.33%
Analyst Upside: 31.82%
Market Cap: $108.09 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72
ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. Morgan Stanley analyst Devin McDermott reiterated a Buy rating on ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) on November 20, setting a $117 price target. The rating update followed the company’s fiscal Q3 2025 earnings release on November 6, with reported earnings per share of $1.38 and adjusted earnings per share of $1.61.
ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) exhibited strong financial and operational performance in the quarter, which led to higher production and a reduction in operating cost guidance for 2025. The company also raised its base dividend by 8%, consistent with its goal to provide top-quartile dividend growth in the S&P 500.
ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) expects lower capital and operating costs in 2026, with flat to modest production growth. Supported by its diverse portfolio, the company is on track to deliver an estimated $7 billion in incremental free cash flow by 2029, including $1 billion each year from 2026 through 2028.
ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) is an exploration and production company that explores, transports, produces, and markets natural gas, crude oil, and bitumen. It operates through the following geographical segments: Alaska, Lower 48, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, Asia Pacific, and Other International.
10. QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 13.48%
Analyst Upside: 23.89%
Market Cap: $170.92 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 76
QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. Citi analyst Christopher Danely reiterated a Hold rating on QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) on November 20, setting a $180 price target.
Separately, in conjunction with HUMAIN, the PIF company delivering global full-stack artificial intelligence solutions, QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) reported on November 19 plans to open a new Qualcomm AI Engineering Center at HUMAIN in Riyadh “to support HUMAIN’s roll-out of 200 megawatts of data center capacity based on Qualcomm’s advanced Cloud AI solutions starting in 2026”.
The two previously rolled out a transformative collaboration for the deployment of advanced AI infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, powered by Qualcomm’s Cloud AI hardware and software, including the Qualcomm® AI200 and AI250 rack solutions, and providing “high-performance AI inference services at industry-leading performance per total cost of ownership (TCO)” both across the globe and in the Kingdom.
QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) develops and commercializes foundational technologies for the wireless industry, including 3G, 4G, and 5G wireless connectivity and high-performance and low-power computing, including on-device AI.
9. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 21.68%
Analyst Upside: 24.72%
Market Cap: $126.58 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 77
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. Northland lifted the price target on Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) to $190 from $177 on November 20, keeping a Market Perform rating on the shares.
The rating update came after the company reported a “solid” quarter and guidance, leading the firm to raise its free cash flow margin assumption for fiscal year 2028-2038 to 40%. It noted that this takes into account management’s guidance and a stated floor of about 37%.
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) reported its fiscal Q1 2026 earnings on November 19, with total revenue for the quarter rising 16% year-over-year to $2.5 billion compared to $2.1 billion in fiscal Q1 2025. Nikesh Arora, chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW), stated that the strong start to the fiscal year was driven by “excellent” results across all metrics, along with notable platformization wins. The company’s robust innovation engine and strategic acquisitions of CyberArk and Chronosphere lend it a strong position as the data and security partner of choice in the AI era.
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) expects total revenue for fiscal Q2 2026 in the range of $2.57 billion to $2.59 billion, representing year-over-year growth of between 14% and 15%.
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) provides network security solutions to service providers, enterprises, and government entities. Its operations are divided into the following geographical segments: the United States, Israel, and Other Countries.
8. Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 20.30%
Analyst Upside: 17.53%
Market Cap: $159.57 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 81
Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH) received a rating update from Barclays on November 13, with the firm raising its price target on the stock to $143 from $120 while keeping an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm released the rating update to the company’s model after its fiscal Q3 earnings were announced on October 22.
Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH) reported a 53% growth in sales compared to last year, supported by strong organic growth in virtually all of the company’s end markets, along with solid organic growth in the IT datacom market. Another factor driving the growth included contributions from the company’s acquisition program. Operating margin for the quarter reached a record 27.5%.
Separately, Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH) announced on November 6 the completion of its previously announced acquisition of Trexon from Audax Private Equity for approximately $1 billion in cash. The company expects Trexon to be accretive to earnings in the first year after closing and would be included in the Harsh Environment Solutions segment.
Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH) is involved in the design, marketing, and manufacture of electrical, electronic, and fiber optic connectors, antennas, interconnect systems, sensors and sensor-based products, and specialty cable. The company’s operations are divided into the following segments: Harsh Environment Solutions, Communications Solutions, and Interconnect and Sensor Systems.
7. The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 15.21%
Analyst Upside: 14.51%
Market Cap: $132.53 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 99
The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. On November 19, BofA lowered the price target on The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) to $346 from $351 while keeping a Buy rating on the shares. The analyst told investors in a research note that The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) added a “healthy” number of 273,000 net personal auto consumers in October compared to 150,000 in September, which reflects a steep rise in net growth after a decline in pace for six consecutive months.
The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) reported its October earnings on November 19, with $7.002 billion in net premiums written in 2025 compared to $6.578 billion in the same month last year. Net income for the month also rose to $846 million in 2025 compared to $408 million in October 2024, reflecting a change of 107%.
October 2025 thus reflected the third-strongest monthly net policy growth of the year, which counters the bearish narrative that has been weighing on the company since April, according to the analyst.
The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is an insurance holding company that provides residential property insurance, personal and commercial auto insurance, and other specialty property-casualty insurance and related services. The company operates through the Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Property segments.
6. The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 17.75%
Analyst Upside: 25.19%
Market Cap: $160.79 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 100
The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. Barclays analyst Benjamin Budish reiterated a Buy rating on The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) on November 17, setting a $115 price target. The company reported its monthly activity highlights for October on November 17, reporting that the core net new assets brought to the company rose 80% compared to October 2024, reaching $44.4 billion and setting a record for the month of October.
Similarly, total client assets also rose 20% compared to the same month last year, equaling $11.83 trillion. New brokerage accounts opened during the month painted the same optimistic picture, rising 30% compared to October 2024 to 429,000.
Furthermore, management reported that investor engagement experienced an acceleration in October, with the average margin loan balances rising 7% compared to September 2025 and daily average trades reaching 8.6 million.
The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) is a savings and loan holding company that engages in securities brokerage, wealth management, custody, asset management, and financial advisory services. Its operations are divided into Advisor Services and Investor Services segments.
5. Sea Limited (NYSE:SE)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 42.45%
Analyst Upside: 54.30%
Market Cap: $77.55 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 102
Sea Limited (NYSE:SE) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. Sea Limited (NYSE:SE) received a rating update from Bank of America Securities analyst Sachin Salgaonkar on November 18, who maintained a Buy rating on the stock and assigned a $200 price target.
The rating update followed the company’s release of its fiscal Q3 2025 earnings, with total GAAP revenue for the quarter growing 38.3% year-over-year to $6.0 billion. In e-commerce, the company attained new heights in revenue, gross order volume, and quarterly GMV, improving its year-on-year profitability across Asia and Brazil. Gross orders rose 28.4% year-on-year to 3.6 billion, while GAAP revenue reached $4.3 billion, up 34.9% year-on-year.
Sea Limited (NYSE:SE) boasts a strong market position supported by its growth momentum, healthy balance sheet, and monetization gains, and expects Shopee’s full-year 2025 GMV growth to be more than 25%.
Headquartered in Singapore, Sea Limited (NYSE:SE) is an internet and mobile platform company that provides online gaming services. Its operations are divided into three segments: Digital Entertainment, E-Commerce, and Digital Financial Services. The Digital Entertainment segment develops and offers mobile and online PC games.
4. S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 15.48%
Analyst Upside: 24.75%
Market Cap: $148.65 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 106
S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. Mizuho Securities analyst Sean Kennedy reiterated a Buy rating on S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) on November 17 and set a $657 price target. Similarly, Clear Street analyst Owen Lau also maintained a Buy rating on the stock, setting a $587 price target.
The rating updates followed S&P Global Inc.’s (NYSE:SPGI) fiscal Q3 2025 earnings release, reporting a 9% year-over-year growth in quarterly revenue to $3.888 billion. A similar trend was observed in adjusted net income, which rose 19% to $1.442 billion. The higher net income was primarily attributed to strong growth in Ratings and Market Intelligence, on both a GAAP and adjusted basis.
In addition, S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) announced on October 15 an agreement to acquire With Intelligence for $1.8 billion, which is anticipated to boost solid growth in Market Intelligence and supplement organic innovation in the company’s private markets solutions across all divisions.
S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) provides independent and transparent analytics, ratings, benchmarks, and data to commodity and capital markets across the globe. The company’s operations are divided into the following segments: Market Intelligence, Ratings, Commodity Insights, Mobility, Indices, and Engineering Solutions.
3. Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 17.43%
Analyst Upside: 28.98%
Market Cap: $119.52 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 111
Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) received a rating update from Jefferies analyst James Heaney CFA on November 17, who maintained a Buy rating on the stock with an $800 price target.
However, Philip Securities upgraded Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) to Accumulate from Reduce on November 10, and raised the price target on the stock to $650 from $600. The firm told investors in a research note that the company is seeing minimal churn despite the increase in Premium prices, and also cited its improving revenue stability and pricing power after the Q3 report for the upgrade.
Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) reported its fiscal Q3 2025 results on November 4, reporting a 12% year-over-year growth in subscribers to 281 million. Monthly active users rose 11% year-over-year to 713 million, and revenue grew 12% year-over-year constant currency to €4.3 billion.
Daniel Ek, Founder and CEO of Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT), stated that it all comes back to user fundamentals, as the company has 700 million users who keep coming back, with engagement at all-time highs. He added that Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) has the necessary tools for profit expansion and revenue growth, including product innovation, pricing, operational leverage, and eventually the ad turnaround.
Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) provides digital music services. The company operates through the Premium and the Ad-Supported segments.
2. MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 51.15%
Analyst Upside: 50.02%
Market Cap: $96.31 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 116
MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. Citi slashed the price target on MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) to $2,500 from $2,700 on November 17, keeping a Buy rating on the stock. The firm also opened a “90-day negative short-term” on the company, backing the outlook with investor concerns regarding a potential downward earnings estimate revisions and competition.
However, the firm also stated that MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) has a favorable risk/reward after the 11% pullback post earnings. The company reported its fiscal Q3 2025 earnings on October 29, reporting a 39% year-over-year growth in net revenue to $7.4 billion. The quarter marked the 27th consecutive quarter of growth over 30% year-over-year.
MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) reported that NPS data and market share demonstrated a considerable strengthening in the company’s competitive position through the same period. In addition, the company’s ongoing investments in free shipping, user experience, fulfilment, and assortment drove considerable growth in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.
MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) operates an online commerce platform that focuses on e-commerce and associated services. Its operations are divided into the following geographical segments: Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Other Countries.
1. Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 35.41%
Analyst Upside: 31.96%
Market Cap: $173.21 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 152
Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) is one of the best large cap stocks to invest in for the long term. On November 23, Bank of America Securities analyst Justin Post reiterated a Buy rating on Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER), setting a $119 price target.
The company announced its fiscal Q3 2025 results on November 4, reporting that trips in the quarter grew 22% year-over-year to 3.5 billion, driven primarily by a 17% year-over-year growth in Monthly Active Platform Consumers and monthly Trips per MAPC growth of 4% year-over-year. Revenue also rose 20% year-over-year to $13.5 billion, and 19% on a constant currency basis, while gross bookings underwent a 21% year-over-year growth to $49.7 billion.
Management reported that the company’s growth in fiscal Q3 marked one of the largest trip-volume growth in history, and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) is building on this momentum by leaning into its local commerce strategy and employing the potential of autonomy and AI.
In addition, Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) anticipates gross bookings in the range of $52.25 billion to $53.75 billion for fiscal Q4 2025, reflecting growth of 17% to 21% year-over-year on a constant currency basis. The company’s outlook also assumes an approximately 1 percentage-point currency tailwind to the total reported year-over-year growth.
Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) operates as a technology platform that offers ride services and merchant delivery service providers for food, groceries, meal preparation, and other delivery services. The company’s operations are divided into Delivery, Mobility, and Freight. The Delivery segment allows users to order food, while the Mobility segment provides access to Mobility Drivers who provide rides in various vehicles. The Freight segment connects Carriers and Shippers.
While we acknowledge the potential of UBER 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 UBER and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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