In this article, we will take a look at the best stocks to buy for the short term.
In a continuously evolving market, investing has become a game of timing and informed decision-making. For investors seeking short-term gains, it is critical to invest in the right stock at the right time to fully capitalize on earnings season volatility and macroeconomic factors.
On March 31, Reuters published “Morning Bid: March is the cruellest month,” outlining that the volatile first-quarter of FY26 ends with a muted note, overshadowed by the current war with Iran and a spike in energy prices. This increase has pushed average U.S. gas prices above $4 per gallon for the first time in over three years.
While the expected duration of the war shifts with each headline, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is ready to put an end to the war without opening the Strait of Hormuz a day earlier, the publication noted, adding that this update helped lift U.S. stock futures on the last day of an otherwise struggling March. On the other hand, those who hold a negative view about the war’s timeline focus on the Iranian attack on an oil tanker in the Gulf. As the IMF stated on Monday, “all roads lead to higher inflation and slower growth,” the article cited.
Keeping this general outlook of the economy in mind, and recognizing that investors must capitalize on timing to benefit from short-term market swings, we have compiled a list of the 7 Best Stocks to Buy for the Short Term.
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Our Methodology
For this article, we used the Stock Analysis screener to filter for U.S. stocks with market capitalizations exceeding $2 billion that have a negative 1-year return and a 1-month return over 5%. Next, we shortlisted stocks with average trading volume over 1 million and upside potential of at least 15%. These stocks are then ranked by their upside potential as of March 30.
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).
7. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is among the 7 Best Stocks to Buy for Short Term. On March 30, TheFly reported that Citizens started coverage on Netflix, Inc. with a Market Perform rating, but without a price target. According to the firm, the media and entertainment sector “is evolving alongside shifting consumer preferences.”
In a research note, the analyst pointed out AI acceleration and the subsequent streaming advancement, which suggests demand for tailored viewing. The Citizens analyst sees fewer near-term catalysts to drive Netflix, Inc.’s performance and is waiting for a more attractive entry point.
On the same day, Needham reaffirmed a Buy rating on Netflix, Inc. with a price target of $120. The firm believes the recent price hike by the company will result in nearly $1.7 billion in additional incremental revenue. This represents approximately 300 basis points of increased reported growth in North America in the current fiscal year.
Additionally, Needham projects about 40% of new subscribers in FY26 based on ads. That said, channel checks suggest a stable flow of new brand advertisers, with a solid programmatic volume growth for Netflix, Inc., the firm noted.
Netflix, Inc. is a California-based entertainment service provider incorporated in 1997. The main offerings of the company are streaming services, including TV series, documentaries, feature films, and games.
6. Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS)
Hims & Hers Health, Inc. is among the 7 Best Stocks to Buy for Short Term. On March 27, Canaccord Genuity reiterated a Buy rating on Hims & Hers Health, Inc. with a price target of $30. This reaffirmation comes after the company’s launch of Novo Nordisk weight-loss solutions on its platform. First announced on March 9, the partnership involves access to Wegovy and Ozempic injections across all dosage levels on its platform.
Canaccord Genuity highlighted that the revenue outlook appears challenged as the compounded-to-branded transition unfolds. Even then, the firm remains positive on Hims & Hers Health, Inc. due to the Novo partnership, which it believes will contribute to the long-term growth momentum.
A day earlier, BofA Securities maintained a Neutral rating and a price target of $23 on Hims & Hers Health, Inc.. This follows the company’s announcement related to its GLP-1 subscription service. The firm named many factors that create ambiguity, including whether a standalone margin exists for the medicine. That said, the firm views the company as transitioning from a low-cost provider to an average-cost provider of GLP-1 medications.
Hims & Hers Health, Inc. is a California-based operator of a consumer-first health and wellness platform. The company provides a range of products and services, including curated prescription and non-prescription health and wellness.
5. Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU)
Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) is among the 5 Best Stocks to Buy for Short Term. On March 26, Freedom Capital Markets trimmed the price target on Intuit Inc. from $820 to $600 and reiterated a Buy rating. According to the firm, the company ended the second quarter of FY26 with results that outperformed not only the management’s expectations but also the firm’s projections.
Freedom Capital Markets believes the earlier stock sell-off was driven by market fears of a potential AI-driven disruption. While raising near-term financial forecasts, the firm anticipates weak long-term growth rates. The firm has incorporated multiple compressions across SaaS companies as it cuts the price target.
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Previously, on March 24, BMO Capital maintained an Outperform rating and a price target of $550 on Intuit Inc.. The firm notes that the case for upside to its roughly 8% FY26 growth outlook has become more appreciated by the investors following the Q2 earnings report. BMO further added that, similar to its competitors, some AI-powered bear-case concerns may be difficult to address in the near-term.
Intuit Inc. is a California-based company that offers products and services, including financial management, payments and capital, and marketing solutions. Founded in 1983, the company operates in four segments: Global Business Solutions, Consumer, Credit Karma, and ProTax.
4. Grindr Inc. (NYSE:GRND)
Grindr Inc. (NYSE:GRND) is among the 5 Best Stocks to Buy for Short Term. On March 3, Grindr Inc. participated in the Citizens JMP Technology Conference 2026, highlighting its strategic outlook. The company discussed plans regarding a comprehensive social network transition, emphasizing user growth and monetization. While outlining challenges like AI advancements and corporate governance shifts, the management adopted a balanced approach.
With a focus on enhancing brand presence, Grindr Inc. remains committed to monetizing existing users rather than attracting new ones, as most of the users don’t pay. The company is also building language tools to serve Brazilian users, with 60%-70% brand awareness targeted in Spain.
The company’s AI and premium products were outlined as well during the conference. What’s interesting is that engineers already report 1.5x higher productivity, with more than half of code generated through AI. Additionally, plans for a higher “private jet” VIP tier by 2027-2028 are underway.
A day earlier, Goldman Sachs trimmed the price target on Grindr Inc. from $20 to $17 and reiterated a Buy rating, according to TheFly. The firm is among the 80% of analysts bullish on the stock, with the remaining 20% having a cautious view.
Grindr Inc. is a California-based social networking and dating application. Founded in 2009, the company also provides ad-supported service, as well as a premium subscription version.
3. Braze, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRZE)
Braze, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRZE) is among the 5 Best Stocks to Buy for Short Term. On March 25, Raymond James maintained an Outperform rating on Braze, Inc. and lifted the price target to $27 from $25. The firm highlighted the company’s Q4 beat and raised guidance. Thanks to the 50% growth in fourth-quarter bookings, the company witnessed broader acceleration across key performance indicators.
According to Raymond James, an enhanced customer mix and expanding platform positions Braze, Inc. well to sustain its share gain momentum with top brands. The firm further added that an over 20% growth outlook for FY27 exceeded whisper expectations and marked a meaningful increase from the prior 16% growth guidance for FY26.
As stated by the analyst,
“We reiterate our Outperform rating on BRZE following an impressive F4Q beat and raise, with a remarkable 50% growth in F4Q bookings driving broad-based acceleration across KPIs.”
On the same day, Piper Sandler trimmed the price target on Braze, Inc. to $27 from $30 and reiterated an Overweight rating. Billy Fitzsimmons, an analyst at the firm, said that the company has a strong footing heading into FY27.
Braze, Inc. is a New York-based operator of a customer engagement platform that offers interactions between consumers and enterprises. Incorporated in 2011, the company also provides an agent console, personalized variant, AI item recommendations, and MCP Servers, among others.
2. Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (NASDAQ:CORT)
Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (NASDAQ:CORT) is among the 5 Best Stocks to Buy for Short Term. On March 25, Wolfe Research upgraded Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated to Peerperform from Underperform following the FDA approval for relacorilant. The firm believes this approval will remove a major downside risk for the stock, adding that the sustainability of the company’s core Cushing’s syndrome franchise remains unclear.
On the same day, Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lifyorli (relacorilant) in combination with nab-paclitaxel as a solution for patients with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. This drug marks the first FDA-approved selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist.
The trial achieved its dual primary endpoints, with patients treated with Lifyorli plus nab-paclitaxel witnessing a 35% reduction in the risk of death relative to patients treated with nab-paclitaxel alone. Additionally, patients saw a 30% lower risk of disease progression.
Overall, Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated has a Buy rating from 71% of the analysts covering the stock, with the remaining 29% holding a cautious view. The 1-year median price target of $60 reflects an upside potential of 59.19%.
Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated, incorporated in 1998, is a California-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops solutions for serious endocrinologic, oncologic, metabolic, and neurologic disorders.
1. Driven Brands Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:DRVN)
Driven Brands Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:DRVN) is among the 5 Best Stocks to Buy for Short Term. On March 23, Freedom Capital Markets started coverage on Driven Brands Holdings Inc. with a Buy rating and $21.80 price target. The firm believes the restructuring of the company’s portfolio after the disposal of the car wash network will strengthen margins and leverage profile.
Three days later, ADW Capital Management, which holds nearly 2.5% of the company, urged the board and controlling shareholder Roark Capital Group to explore strategic alternatives. The investment firm asserted that the company’s undervaluation is based on structural and governance problems. According to ADW, shareholders are likely to receive over $30 per share in a controlled sale or breakup.
The firm describes the company’s structure as “a loosely assembled collection of automotive service brands,” which is missing operational integration. ADW also raised concerns about substantial synergies, questioning whether these exist across the company’s segments. With that said, the firm proposed a strategic separation of assets or a full sale to maximize value, suggesting segments to be offloaded individually for higher multiples.
Driven Brands Holdings Inc. is a North Carolina-based provider of automotive services to both retail and commercial customers. In addition to offering services like repair and maintenance, the company also distributes automotive parts.
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