In this piece we will look at the 5 Best Stocks to Buy Before the Next Bull Run. Please visit 10 Best Stocks to Buy Before the Next Bull Run if you’d like to see an extended list and how we came up with the list of Best Stocks to Buy Before the Next Bull Run.
5. Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT)
Upside Potential: 33.63%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 121
Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) has fallen more than 23% on a year-to-date basis, but the Street expects more than 33% upside from the current level. The company also ranks among our Best Stocks to Buy Before the Next Bull Run.
Stocks
Although 84% of the 44 analysts covering the stock maintain a Buy rating on Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT), they have been cutting price targets after the company released its FQ1 2026 earnings. The company released its earnings on April 28. During the quarter, Spotify posted $5.31 billion, reflecting 11.3% year-over-year growth and topped expectations by $7.73 million. The GAAP EPS of $4.04 also topped expectations by $0.59.
Despite the positive results, on April 29, Benchmark lowered its price target on the stock from $760 to $695 and maintained a Buy rating on the shares. The firm noted that management during the earnings call spent too much time explaining how costs will evolve, but didn’t clarify how revenue will improve in the future. In addition, Benchmark flagged three main pressure points for the company, including advertisement monetization lagging behind user engagement, a lack of a commercial framework for AI and other generative content, and a lack of quantitative projections of current AI expenditure.
On the same day, Cantor Fitzgerald also lowered the price target on SPOT from $525 to $430, while maintaining a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm noted lowering the fiscal 2027 EBIT estimate to reflect incremental costs.
Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) is a leading digital music streaming platform. The company is based in Luxembourg and was founded in December 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon.
4. Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR)
Upside Potential: 39.88%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 125
Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) is one of the Best Stocks to Buy Before the Next Bull Run.
On April 22, Morgan Stanley lowered the price target on the stock from $270 to $255, while maintaining an Overweight rating on the shares. Earlier, on April 21, Jefferies analyst Tycho Peterson raised the price target on Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) to $245 from $240 and maintained a Buy rating.
The ratings come after the company’s FQ1 2026 earnings were released on April 21. During the quarter, the company posted $5.95 billion in revenue, reflecting 3.66% year-over-year growth but falling short of the consensus by $41.51 million. On the bright side, the GAAP EPS came in at $1.45 and topped expectations by $0.03.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley noted that they made changes to their valuation model following the Q1 results and the latest guidance from the company. Danaher expects second-quarter revenue to increase in the low single-digit percentage, while for the full year, revenue is expected to grow by 3% to 6%.
On the other hand, Jefferies analyst Tycho Peterson noted Q1 results to be solid and mentioned that headwinds are abating for the company at a time when its valuation is not too demanding.
Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) is a global life sciences and diagnostics company operating through three segments: Biotechnology, Life Sciences, and Diagnostics.
3. Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF)
Upside Potential: 34.18%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 136
Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) is one of the Best Stocks to Buy Before the Next Bull Run. The stock has declined more than 22% on a year-to-date basis, but Wall Street expects more than 34% upside from the current level.
Recently, on April 23, Truist analyst Brian Foran lowered the firm’s price target on Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) from $275 to $255, while maintaining a Buy rating on the shares. The rating comes after the company missed estimates during its fiscal Q1 2026 released on April 21. The company posted $15.23 billion in revenue, reflecting 52.3% year-over-year growth, but missed expectations by $134.1 million. Moreover, the GAAP EPS of $3.34 also missed estimates by $0.48.
Truist noted that they are reducing the firm’s earnings estimates by 2% to account for higher expenses. Moreover, the firm’s forward earnings multiple was also lowered from 10 times to 9.5 times.
Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) is a technology-based financial services company.
2. Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER)
Upside Potential: 41.11%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 147
Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) has declined more than 10% on a year-to-date basis, but the Street expects more than 41% upside from the current level. The company also ranks among our Best Stocks to Buy Before the Next Bull Run.
Recently, on May 4, Bank of America Securities reiterated a Buy rating on Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) with a price target of $103. On the same day, Evercore ISI also reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with a price target of $150.
BofA noted that the firm remains optimistic on the autonomous vehicle pipeline and highlighted that the mobility and delivery segment of the company continues to show healthy booking trends. The firm expects the ramp-up in US autonomous vehicles to lead the stock higher in the second half of 2026. Moreover, BofA also anticipated higher merchant fee revenue, which can lift the EBITDA and provide opportunities to invest in growth.
Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) is a global transportation technology company that focuses on ride-hailing, courier services, food delivery, and freight transport.
1. Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)
Upside Potential: 34.22%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 150
Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) is one of the Best Stocks to Buy Before the Next Bull Run. The stock is down more than 10% on a year-to-date basis, but the Street expects more than 34% upside from the current level.
Recently, on May 1, Macquarie analyst Paul Golding lowered the price target on Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) from $675 to $665, while maintaining a Buy rating on the shares. The firm noted that they still remain optimistic on the stock and that the price target reduction reflects the macroeconomic impact of the conflict in the Middle East. The firm highlighted Mastercard’s FQ1 2026 earnings as encouraging, as it exceeded expectations. Macquarie noted that consumers remain solid, while AI, Crypto, and value-added services are key drivers of growth.
Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) posted FQ1 2026 results on April 30. The company posted $8.4 billion in revenue, reflecting 15.83% year-over-year growth and topped the consensus by $142.6 million. Moreover, the GAAP EPS of $4.35 also exceeded the expectations by $0.06.
Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) operates one of the world’s largest electronic payment networks, connecting consumers, merchants, financial institutions, governments, and businesses to facilitate digital transactions globally. Headquartered in Purchase, New York, the company’s origins date to the late 1960s, while Mastercard Incorporated was formally established in 1978.
While we acknowledge the potential of MA 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 MA and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 10 Best Stocks to Buy While the Market Is Down and 14 Stocks That Will Double in the Next 5 Years.
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