In this article, we will take a look at the 5 Best US Stocks to Invest In for Long Term. For a deeper discussion and analysis, please read 10 Best US Stocks to Invest In for Long Term.
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5. Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 85
On April 20, Morgan Stanley analyst Meta Marshall raised the firm’s price recommendation on Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) to $140 from $127. It reiterated an Equal Weight rating. The analyst noted that optical stocks have continued to reach new highs and said the enthusiasm around the group is unlikely to “wane just yet as there is nothing that disproves the bull case for now.”
On April 16, JPMorgan downgraded GLW to Neutral from Overweight and raised its price target to $175 from $115. The firm said it is taking a more cautious stance on optical companies heading into earnings. The analyst noted that current valuations require investors to “dial forward” to 2028 earnings. JPMorgan added that visibility into earnings through 2028 needs to improve to support further upside in the shares.
Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) operates as a materials science company. Its business segments include Optical Communications, Display, Specialty Materials, Automotive, and Life Sciences. The Optical Communications segment produces carrier and enterprise network components for the telecommunications industry.
4. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 86
On April 15, Morgan Stanley raised its price recommendation on Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) to $430 from $425. It kept an Underweight rating on the shares. The firm said that within machinery and construction, it prefers “idiosyncratic stories where we see opportunity for improving sentiment in spite of macro risk to earnings” as it heads into what it described as “an otherwise low conviction” Q1 reporting period.
On April 14, Bloomberg reported that Caterpillar has acquired self-driving electric tractor startup Monarch Tractor, citing people familiar with the matter. Monarch, often called the “Tesla of agriculture,” had faced challenges while scaling its business and recently laid off staff. The startup said in a LinkedIn post that its technology had been acquired by “a large global equipment manufacturer,” though it did not name the buyer. The individuals cited in the report were not authorized to speak publicly, and Caterpillar and Monarch did not respond to requests for comment.
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) manufactures construction and mining equipment, along with off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Its operations are organized across Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Power & Energy. The company also offers financing and related services through its Financial Products segment.
3. Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 86
On April 13, BofA analyst Vivek Arya raised the firm’s price recommendation on Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) to $425 from $400. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The call was based on the company’s margins, pricing power, and what the analyst described as idiosyncratic growth.
During the fiscal Q1 2026 earnings call, CFO Richard Puccio outlined expectations for Q2. He indicated that revenue is projected to be around $3.5 billion, with a possible variance of $100 million on either side. He said operating margin at the midpoint is expected to be about 47.5%, with a margin of error of 100 basis points. The tax rate, he noted, is likely to fall between 11% and 13%, translating into adjusted EPS of roughly $2.88, with a potential fluctuation of $0.15.
Management also discussed trends across segments. They indicated that the industrial segment is expected to increase about 20% sequentially and come in well above typical seasonal patterns. Year over year, growth is seen at around 50%, supported by a cyclical recovery and continued strength in ATE and ADAS.In communications, the company expects high single-digit sequential growth, again above seasonal trends, along with roughly 60% year-over-year growth.
The outlook for the automotive sector is more muted. Management expects performance to be flat to slightly down sequentially and somewhat below seasonal levels. The consumer segment is projected to decline in the mid-single digits, broadly in line with normal seasonal patterns.
Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) is a global semiconductor company. It designs, manufactures, tests, and markets a range of solutions, including integrated circuits, software, and subsystems built on high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies.
2. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 114
On April 16, Reuters reported that The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) has been hiring about 100 to 140 factory workers each week. That’s the fastest pace since 2024. The company is bringing in new workers to replace retirees and to keep up with higher production and new aircraft programs, according to a union leader.
In the Pacific Northwest, Boeing’s union workforce has now crossed 34,000 and is still growing. Jon Holden shared this in his first interview after stepping into his role overseeing training and apprenticeships at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
The IAM represented about 33,000 Boeing workers in the region back in 2024, when Holden was leading the local union through a seven-week strike tied to a new contract. Holden said Boeing now needs to staff a fourth Seattle-area production line, known as the North Line, for its 737 MAX jet. There’s also a need to support production of the 777X, which is still waiting for certification, and to fill roles left open by retiring workers.
The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) operates as an aerospace manufacturer. It runs across three main segments: Commercial Airplanes, Defense, Space & Security, and Global Services. Its commercial unit focuses on building and selling jet aircraft for airlines around the world.
1. GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 115
On April 16, Oppenheimer analyst Colin Rusch raised the firm’s price recommendation on GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) to $1,139 from $871. It reiterated an Outperform rating ahead of the Q1 report. The analyst pointed to stronger electrification demand and improving margins as the main drivers behind the increase. He also noted that rising data center demand and the Iran conflict are supporting power prices, which in turn is improving the economics of on-premise power and microgrid solutions.
On April 16, JPMorgan analyst Mark Strouse raised the firm’s price goal on GEV to $1,150 from $1,000. It maintained an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm also removed the stock from its Analyst Focus List. The analyst said Q1 is expected to show continued strength in Power orders along with margin expansion, supported by “robust demand and favorable pricing.” He added that the removal from the Focus List reflects more limited upside following the stock’s recent rally.
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) is a global energy company focused on Power, Wind, and Electrification. It also operates a set of accelerator businesses that support these segments. The company designs, manufactures, delivers, and services technologies aimed at building a more sustainable electric power system, with a focus on electrification and decarbonization.
While we acknowledge the potential of GEV as an investment, 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 GEV and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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