In this article, we will look at the 8 Best Beginner Stocks to Buy Right Now.
For beginner investors, the case for investing is less about chasing the hottest story and more about owning established businesses that are still expanding and better equipped to absorb market volatility. That is why this stock list leans toward established companies with strong earnings growth, favorable analyst views, and scale. Fidelity points to “best-in-class companies” with “deep competitive moats” that can “compound earnings over time.”
The institutional case also suggests that quality growth is not as overowned or overpriced as it may seem. J.P. Morgan Asset Management says “High quality stocks are now priced at a discount” and that, within U.S. markets, the quality factor is “more attractive than ever.” Franklin Templeton makes a similar point from a longer-cycle perspective, staying focused on “high-quality growth companies with durable competitive advantages” as markets shift back toward fundamentals. T. Rowe Price brings that down to the company level, looking for businesses with “sustainable double-digit earnings growth,” “high-quality earnings,” and “strong free cash flow growth.”
Against this backdrop, the most attractive beginner stocks are not necessarily the cheapest or the most exciting. They are the ones that remain capable of growing through different market environments. That brings us to the 8 Best Beginner Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Our Methodology
We used the Finviz screener to identify large-cap stocks that exhibited over 20% EPS annual growth over the last 5 years, forecasted to grow EPS annually by over 20% in the next 5 years, and viewed favorably by analysts. We then limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds.
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).
8. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)
On April 15, 2026, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) reported topline results from the Phase 3 ACHIEVE-4 trial evaluating Foundayo against insulin glargine in adults with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese and at elevated cardiovascular risk. The study enrolled more than 2,700 participants across 15 countries and met its primary endpoint, demonstrating non-inferiority in major adverse cardiovascular events, including cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke, or hospitalization for unstable chest pain. Foundayo also delivered superior reductions in A1C and body weight at 52 weeks versus insulin glargine, with benefits sustained through 104 weeks. The treatment showed a 16% lower risk of major cardiovascular events and a 57% lower risk of all-cause death, though the latter was not adjusted for multiplicity.
Improvements were also observed across cardiovascular risk markers such as non-HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and hsCRP. The safety profile was consistent with prior studies and the GLP-1 class, with common side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and constipation. Discontinuations due to adverse events occurred in 10.6% of patients. Liver safety analyses showed no signal of drug-induced injury. Lilly said it plans to submit Foundayo for FDA approval in type 2 diabetes by the end of Q2 under the Commissioner’s National Priority Review Voucher.
On April 9, 2026, Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Eli Lilly to $1,327 from $1,313 and maintained an Overweight rating, reflecting model updates across its biopharma coverage based on IQVIA trends and intra-quarter developments ahead of Q1 earnings.
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) develops and markets pharmaceutical treatments globally.
7. ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW)
On April 15, 2026, Deutsche Bank lowered its price target on ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) to $135 from $180 and maintained a Buy rating, noting ahead of Q1 results that the company is “controlling what it can” in a challenging environment.
Similarly, TD Cowen reduced its price target to $140 from $185 while keeping a Buy rating, citing constructive checks on overall growth trends, adoption of AI-related SKUs, large deal activity, and broader platform expansion. The firm also views recent pricing and packaging changes as a net positive.
Truist also lowered its price target to $125 from $175 and maintained a Buy rating ahead of earnings, expecting strong results with potential upside to consensus driven by the company’s platform value proposition and positioning as a beneficiary of vendor consolidation. Based on customer discussions, Truist said ServiceNow is increasingly seen as a partner in enterprise AI strategies, with its incumbency supporting continued development of agentic offerings.
Earlier in the month, ServiceNow announced that its full product portfolio will be AI-enabled, integrating AI, data connectivity, workflow execution, security, and governance across its platform. The company also introduced Context Engine, designed to connect relationships, policy, and decision history for AI agents, along with new Build Agent capabilities that allow developers to create and deploy workflows directly within the platform.
ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) provides cloud-based digital workflow solutions across multiple enterprise functions globally.
6. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX)
On April 15, 2026, Deutsche Bank raised its price target on Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) to $72 from $58 and maintained a Buy rating, saying the company is on a recovery path heading into its Q1 report.
Similarly, Wells Fargo increased its price target to $77 from $64 while keeping an Overweight rating, reflecting higher copper price assumptions driven by mine disruptions and rising cost expectations. JPMorgan analyst Bill Peterson also raised his price target to $76 from $68 and reiterated an Overweight rating as part of a broader base metals preview. The firm noted that while aluminum stocks have outperformed since the start of the Middle East conflict, copper names have lagged amid inflation concerns, with near-term direction tied closely to geopolitical developments.
Earlier in the month, Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of Freeport-McMoRan with a Buy rating and a $70 price target, citing the company’s exposure to structural copper supply deficits along with added leverage to gold. The firm also pointed to supportive macro and geopolitical dynamics and said Freeport’s production profile appears to be at an inflection point, which could amplify earnings in a stronger pricing environment.
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) is a global mining company focused on copper, gold, and other minerals.
5. Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:FICO)
On April 15, 2026, Mizuho analyst Sean Kennedy has initiated coverage of Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:FICO) with an Outperform rating and a $1,416 price target on the shares. The firm believes the market is overestimating the competitive threat from VantageScore in the mortgage space, noting the stock’s sharp year-to-date decline. Mizuho highlighted FICO’s dominant market position and sees meaningful upside tied to a potential refinancing recovery if mortgage rates decline, alongside expectations for robust free cash flow and continued share repurchases.
On April 12, 2026, Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:FICO) announced that Compeer Financial has enhanced its lending operations using the FICO Platform to deliver faster and more accurate credit decisions, underscoring the role of real-time analytics in agricultural lending.
Last month, Banco Santa Cruz adopted the FICO Platform on AWS cloud infrastructure to modernize its credit decisioning across retail products, enabling real-time approvals and automated policy management, replacing its legacy systems.
Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:FICO) provides analytics software and credit scoring solutions globally through its Scores and Software segments.
4. Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H)
On April 15, 2026, Barclays analyst Brandt Montour lowered the price target on Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) to $197 from $200 and maintained an Overweight rating as part of a Q1 preview across the lodging sector. The firm said strong U.S. RevPAR momentum is expected to offset near-term international softness and believes the sector remains in a positive earnings revision cycle for 2026.
On April 10, 2026, Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Hyatt to $195 from $185 while keeping an Overweight rating, citing a more constructive RevPAR outlook for FY26. The firm noted a preference for lodging names that combine longer-term visibility with cyclical upside rather than those with higher operating leverage.
JPMorgan also lowered its price target on Hyatt to $181 from $185 and maintained an Overweight rating, adjusting estimates across the group. Despite the revisions, the firm views recent share price weakness as a potential buying opportunity.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) operates a global hospitality business across management, franchising, owned and leased, and distribution segments.
3. Onto Innovation Inc. (NYSE:ONTO)
On April 16, 2026, B. Riley analyst Craig Ellis raised the price target on Onto Innovation Inc. (NYSE:ONTO) to $330 from $310 and maintained a Buy rating, following the company’s positive Q1 pre-announcement and the qualification of its Dragonfly G5 platform for 2.5D advanced packaging applications.
On the same day, Evercore ISI increased its price target to $315 from $250 and reiterated an Outperform rating, noting that Onto is regaining market share as the advanced packaging investment theme continues to play out.
Earlier, Onto Innovation raised its Q1 revenue outlook to $292M from a prior range of $275M–$285M, above the $280.34M consensus estimate. The company also announced the qualification of its recently launched Dragonfly G5 platform for both new and existing 2.5D advanced packaging applications, with initial shipments expected in June. The system incorporates proprietary optics, illumination, and advanced algorithms designed to improve inspection accuracy and throughput while lowering the overall cost of ownership. With demand for AI-driven devices expected to grow roughly 30% annually over the next two years, the platform is positioned to address increasing sensitivity requirements in process control as packaging architectures continue to evolve.
Onto Innovation Inc. (NYSE:ONTO) develops process control and metrology solutions for the semiconductor industry.
2. Dycom Industries, Inc. (NYSE:DY)
On April 6, 2026, Dycom Industries, Inc. (NYSE:DY) announced the appointment of Regina Salazar as senior vice president and chief information and digital officer, effective immediately. She succeeds the company’s prior chief information officer following their retirement and will lead enterprise technology strategy, with a focus on scaling digital transformation initiatives and integrating AI-driven solutions.
Wells Fargo analyst Eric Luebchow recently added Dycom to the firm’s Q2 Tactical Ideas List, viewing the selloff since March as overdone and driven by a “sell the news” reaction to record FY26 results and a softer margin narrative. The firm sees this as a buying opportunity ahead of several near-term catalysts and maintains an Overweight rating with a $500 price target.
Last month, Dycom announced plans to build a workforce training center in Monroe, Georgia, expected to open by mid-2027. The 49-acre campus, supported by the Development Authority of Walton County, is intended to expand the company’s training capacity and serve as a centralized hub for technical instruction, supporting growing demand for skilled labor tied to digital and telecommunications infrastructure projects.
Dycom Industries, Inc. (NYSE:DY) provides specialty contracting services for telecommunications, digital infrastructure, and utilities across the United States.
1. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)
On April 16, 2026, Seaport Research raised its price target on Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) to $119 from $115 and maintained a Buy rating, noting that while the first half of the year may appear softer, the timing of content spending is expected to drive acceleration in the second half.
Similarly, Needham maintained a Buy rating and $120 price target following Q1 results, highlighting positive early traction in newer mobile-focused engagement features such as vertical video, video podcasts, and kids’ games. The firm pointed to lower churn and improving pricing power, adding that Netflix’s Silicon Valley roots position it well to adopt emerging technologies, including GenAI capabilities, programmatic advertising, and enhanced personalization tools.
JPMorgan also reiterated an Overweight rating with a $118 price target and recommended buying the shares on the post-earnings pullback, with the stock down about 10% to $96.66 in premarket trading. While some investors may be disappointed by the lack of an increase to 2026 guidance despite Q1 upside, the firm noted that pricing actions are already embedded in the company’s 12%–14% revenue growth outlook. JPMorgan said Netflix continues to execute well and still has a meaningful growth runway.
Earlier, Netflix reported Q1 EPS of $1.23, beating the 77c consensus estimate, on revenue of $12.25B versus $12.17B expected. For Q2, the company guided EPS of 78c, below the 84c consensus, and revenue of $12.57B compared to expectations of $12.64B.
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) offers streaming entertainment content and services globally.
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