In this article, we will list the 5 Best Trending AI Stocks to Watch in 2026. Please visit 15 Best Trending AI Stocks to Watch in 2026 if you would like to see the extended list and the methodology behind it.
5. Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 262
Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is one of the best trending AI stocks to watch in 2026. Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) announced on June 22 that starting today, Instagram for TV is now available on Samsung Smart TVs in the United States. This includes 2020 model year TVs and newer, and combined with Amazon Fire TV and Google TV, Instagram is now available across the majority of connected TV devices in the country.
Users can send Reels directly from their phone to their TV in a few taps, with casting available on Google TV and Fire TV, including videos from the Saved tab. They can also catch up on what their friends and other creators are sharing, without the need for crowding around a phone.
In a separate development, DoubleVerify announced on June 22 the expansion of DV Authentic AdVantage™ to Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) and TikTok. DoubleVerify is a software platform involved with verifying media quality, optimizing ad performance, and proving campaign outcomes. It stated that the solution combines pre-bid media quality protection, independent measurement, and AI-powered campaign optimization, allowing advertisers to bolster media quality, improve performance, and drive greater efficiency across digital advertising environments.
Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) builds technological products that allow people to share, connect, grow businesses, and find communities. These products help people connect through personal computers, mobile devices, virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR) headsets, and wearables.
4. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 265
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) is one of the best trending AI stocks to watch in 2026. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) reported on June 22 that Google DeepMind and A24 are announcing a first-of-its-kind partnership focused on research, which pairs “a world-leading research lab with the industry’s most filmmaker-forward studio to help artists develop new workflows and techniques”. The collaboration ensures that the “tools of the future are shaped by the creators who use them”, and creates a deep research and development collaboration between A24 and Google DeepMind spanning multiple projects over time. Management further stated that the hands-on collaboration offers Google DeepMind invaluable feedback and guidance from leading artists.
The same day, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) also announced an expanded partnership between Google Cloud and Nokia, aimed at integrating Google’s Gemini models into Nokia’s network software suite, the Nokia Assurance Center. Management stated that by developing six AI agents built with Gemini, which is the most capable family of multimodal models by Google, Nokia will advance its capacity to help telecommunication providers resolve network issues quickly, reduce operational costs, and step towards fully automated, self-driving operations.
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) is a holding company with segments including Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets. The Google Services segment operates various services and products, including Android, Google Maps, Google Play, Chrome, Search, and YouTube.
3. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 275
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is one of the best trending AI stocks to watch in 2026. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) announced on June 22 the NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform that delivers world-class supercomputers for science, bringing together NVIDIA CUDA-X™ libraries, native double-precision (FP64) performance, and the full-stack capabilities of the NVIDIA AI platform. It further stated that Vera Rubin combines the company’s complete accelerated computing stack, ranging from hardware to software and optimized scientific libraries, and accelerated AI, simulation, and data-intensive research. Management stated that the Vera Rubin platform is “designed for the era of agents to advance scientific discovery by accelerating workloads such as climate modeling, computational fluid dynamics, quantum chemistry, and energy exploration”.
In a separate development, Reuters reported on June 17 that the United States government awarded $500 million on Wednesday to startup SandboxAQ, which is backed by NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), for the development of new chemicals and materials for domestic semiconductor manufacturing. This includes alternatives to PFAS and rare earth imports, and the award is part of President Donald Trump’s move to allocate research funds under the CHIPS Act. Reuters also provided additional context, reporting that this effort previously funded a $150 million investment in new chip manufacturing tools and a $2 billion investment in quantum computing.
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) designs and manufactures computer graphics processors, chipsets, and other multimedia software. It operates in the Compute & Networking and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) segments.
2. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 282
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the best trending AI stocks to watch in 2026. Following Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Chevron’s signing of a 20-year agreement to supply natural-gas- fired power to a data-center campus in West Texas, JPMorgan stated that it considers the offtake as durable and believes “the most compelling element of the structure” is its behind-the-meter design, whereby the plant generates its own power on-site and feeds the campus directly, without drawing on the grid or involving a local utility. The firm further stated that it sees the deal providing “valuable diversification” against the balance of Chevron’s commodity-price-exposed portfolio.
In a separate development, Reuters reported on June 16 that Oracle clarified that the details mentioned in a Business Insider report regarding the collapse of its discussions with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) over a potential leasing deal were inaccurate. The report had stated that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Oracle’s discussions about a cloud infrastructure leasing deal fell apart due to security and compliance concerns. Reuters further stated that it could not immediately verify the report, and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) declined to comment on it.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) develops and supports services, software, devices, and solutions. It operates through the Intelligent Cloud, Productivity and Business Processes, and More Personal Computing segments.
1. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 353
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is one of the best trending AI stocks to watch in 2026. Reuters reported on June 22 that Amazon.com’s (NASDAQ:AMZN) Prime Day, starting on Tuesday, would serve as a “litmus test” to gauge the spending power of U.S. shoppers. The sales event, going live earlier than usual, is centered around household basics, back-to-school needs, and perishable groceries, instead of “carefree splurges”.
William Stern, CEO at U.S.-based small business lender Cardiff, was of the opinion that people do not have the money right now, and so Prime Day is not going to be about “buying big TVs or fun stuff this year. It’s for buying toilet paper and garbage bags on sale. Families are literally waiting for these discounts just to buy regular everyday things because their bank accounts are empty.” Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) has thus highlighted deals on household goods, groceries, travel, and school items, and fresh food and essentials, which are becoming a significant part of the Prime members’ baskets.
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) provides its customers with a range of products and services. It offers advanced tools for AR and VR developers through its Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform.
While we acknowledge the potential of AMZN 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 AMZN and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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