In this article, we will list the 5 best low risk high growth stocks to buy right now. Please visit 14 Best Low Risk High Growth Stocks to Buy Right Now if you would like to see the extended list and the methodology behind it.
5. AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE:AZN)
The growth story for AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE:AZN) is built on a massive, contractually visible expansion plan. Earlier this year, CEO Pascal Soriot reaffirmed the company’s goal to reach $80 billion in annual revenue by 2030. For a company currently reporting roughly $59 billion, this represents an industry-leading growth trajectory. In Q1 2026, cancer drug sales jumped 20%, fueled by blockbuster performance from Tagrisso, Imfinzi, and the accelerating Enhertu portfolio. These high-margin antibody-drug conjugates are viewed by hedge funds as the primary growth engine for the next decade. Safety in pharma comes from having so many products that a single failure cannot sink the stock. AstraZeneca owns 16 different blockbuster medicines, drugs generating over $1 billion annually.
In 2026 alone, AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE:AZN) is expecting results from more than 20 Phase III clinical trials. This strategy significantly de-risks the portfolio, as consistent positive readouts, like the recent Tozorakimab and Imfinzi successes in early April, provide a steady stream of new revenue. The firm is also uniquely positioned to handle geopolitical shifts better than many US-centric peers. Despite broader trade tensions, AstraZeneca is the largest multinational pharmaceutical company in China. In early 2026, it pledged an additional $15 billion in investments there, capturing high-volume demand in the world’s second-largest market.
4. HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC)
HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) HSBC has successfully offloaded underperforming western assets, including retail divisions in Canada, France, and parts of the US, to double down on the high-growth corridors of Asia and the Middle East. In early 2026, revenue from its wealth management fees rose 20%, while insurance income jumped 49%. By focusing on new networks in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UAE, HSBC is capturing the rapid wealth creation of the Asian middle class. Following the removal of balance sheet constraints in early 2026, HSBC’s loan book has seen a broadening out of market leadership. It is now targeting a 17% Return on Tangible Equity (RoTE), a high-performance benchmark for global banks.
READ MORE: 10 Best Stocks to Buy According to Billionaire Paul Tudor Jones.
The stability of HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) comes from its diversified, international footprint which acts as a hedge against any single country’s economic downturn. The bank has guided for $45 billion in Banking Net Interest Income (NII) for 2026, exceeding analyst expectations by $1.5 billion. This is powered by a structural hedge that protects its earnings even if global interest rates begin to fluctuate. The bank maintains a CET1 ratio of 14.9%, significantly above regulatory requirements. This capital cushion ensures the bank can withstand geopolitical volatility, including current disruptions in the Middle East, without compromising its operations.
3. Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)
Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) does not issue cards or extend credit, it simply provides the technology that moves money. Because it doesn’t lend money, unlike American Express or Discover, Mastercard has zero exposure to credit card defaults or rising interest rates affecting loan repayments. This makes its business model incredibly stable during economic downturns. In early 2026, Mastercard maintained operating margins above 59%. For every dollar of revenue, nearly 60 cents is pure profit, a level of efficiency usually reserved for software monopolies. Elite investors are also intrigued by digital assets modernization of the firm.
Last month, Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) announced the acquisition of BVNK for $1.8 billion. This deal is designed to bridge traditional fiat rails with on-chain stablecoin payments. Analysts view this as the next frontier for transaction volume. The company also recently unveiled its Agent Suite, a tool that allows AI agents to securely authorize and execute payments on behalf of businesses, positioning the company as the primary payment rail for the AI economy. The growth of the firm is heavily tied to international travel and global e-commerce, which have hit record highs in 2026. In the 2025 fiscal year, revenue reached nearly $33 billion, up 16.4% year-over-year. Cross-border volume, which carries significantly higher fees than domestic transactions, remains the lead engine for this double-digit growth.
2. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is often referred to as the leading contender to become the first trillion-dollar pharmaceutical company. Following its massive transformation into a cardiometabolic leader, Lilly is seen as a growth stock in a value sector. This growth is currently being powered by a historic duopoly in the obesity and diabetes markets. In February, Lilly issued 2026 revenue guidance of $80–$83 billion, nearly 4% above consensus. This is driven by the unprecedented demand for Mounjaro and Zepbound. In March, Lilly released Phase 3 data for Foundayo, its once-daily obesity pill. Analysts view this as a massive growth kicker, as it broadens the market to patients who prefer a pill over an injection, significantly increasing the total addressable market. Recent Phase 3 results for retatrutide showed weight loss of up to 16.8%, reinforcing Lilly’s pipeline dominance through the end of the decade.
READ MORE: 15 Best Stocks to Buy According to Billionaire Ray Dalio.
For risk-averse investors, the balance sheet and margins of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) provide a tech-like safety net. The firm maintains an elite 83% gross profit margin and a 97% return on equity. This level of profitability allows it to absorb pricing pressures and self-fund its $7 billion+ annual capital expenditures. With a Beta of 0.50, the company is roughly half as volatile as the broader S&P 500. It acts as a defensive safe-haven during market downturns while still offering growth-stock returns. In early 2026, Lilly announced a $3.5 billion investment in a new Lehigh Valley facility. By owning its supply chain, Lilly de-risks itself against the shortages that have plagued competitors like Novo Nordisk.
1. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B)
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) is the ultimate all-weather stock. While the company has officially entered the Greg Abel era following Warren Buffett’s transition to Chairman at the start of the year, its bull thesis has actually strengthened due to its massive cash reserves during a period of market volatility. Berkshire is sitting on approximately $350 billion to $373 billion in cash and short-term US Treasuries. This is the highest liquid reserve in corporate history. While waiting for an undervalued acquisition, this cash is not idle. Parked in Treasuries, it is generating over $13 billion in annual risk-free interest income, providing a massive earnings floor that most tech or industrial companies cannot match.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) often functions as a private economy. Its core insurance units, including GEICO and National Indemnity, are generating record float, money held before claims are paid. In early 2026, premium growth reached 7.4%, providing billions in low-cost capital for Greg Abel to deploy. With the recent completion of the $9.7 billion OxyChem acquisition, Berkshire has added another cash-generative industrial giant to its portfolio, alongside BNSF Railway and Berkshire Hathaway Energy. For the first time in 50 years, there is serious institutional speculation that Berkshire may initiate its first-ever dividend by the end of 2026. This move would likely trigger a massive inflow of capital from dividend-focused index funds, driving the stock price to new highs.
While we acknowledge the potential of BRK-B 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 BRK-B and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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