8 Best Basic Materials Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds

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6. Corteva Inc. (NYSE:CTVA)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 48

Corteva Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) is one of the best basic materials stocks to buy according to hedge funds. On May 5, Corteva delivered a strong start to 2026, reporting Q1 net sales of $4.9 billion, an 11% increase year-over-year. This growth was fueled by robust demand for its technology portfolios, with Seed sales rising 12% and Crop Protection sales increasing 10%. Operating EBITDA grew 21% to $1.44 billion, reflecting disciplined cost management and a 33% surge in operating EPS to $1.50, as the company benefited from favorable product mix and seasonal timing shifts in North America.

The company remains on track to complete its corporate separation into two independent entities in Q4 2026. Key milestones achieved include the filing of its initial Form 10, the naming of executive leadership teams, and the branding of its future seed and genetics business as Vylor. To strengthen its financial position ahead of the split, Corteva’s board approved a $1.5 billion pre-tax contribution to its US pension plan and plans to repurchase $500 million in shares during H1 of the year.

Corteva Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, projecting operating EBITDA between $4.0 billion and $4.2 billion and operating EPS in the range of $3.45 to $3.70. Despite competitive pricing pressures in Latin America, management anticipates sustained volume growth driven by a solid Northern Hemisphere planting season and tightening global supply-demand dynamics.

Corteva Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) is an agriculture technology company. The company provides seed and crop protection solutions.

While we acknowledge the potential of CTVA 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 CTVA and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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