In this article, we will be looking at the 8 Best Large Cap Stocks to Invest In Right Now.

On April 17, Reuters reported that systematic hedge funds have bought stocks at a record pace over the past five trading sessions. According to a Goldman Sachs note published late Thursday and seen by Reuters, these funds added about $86 billion in stock exposure during this period.

Systematic hedge funds use algorithms to follow market trends rather than focusing on the economic fundamentals of the company stocks they trade. They typically use market signals to guide their trading and continue investing as long as trends stay strong.

Goldman Sachs data showed that the five-day period recorded one of the largest waves of demand in history from Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs), a group of hedge funds known for riding market trends.

Since the market rebounded at the beginning of April, hedge funds, especially systematic hedge funds, have been active buyers of equities, betting that asset prices will continue to rise. Goldman Sachs estimates that these investors could keep purchasing stocks and buy another $70 billion over the next five sessions.

With this background in mind, let’s take a look at the 8 best large-cap stocks to invest in right now.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the 8 best large-cap stocks to invest in right now, we used the Finviz stock screener to look for stocks with a market capitalization between $10 billion and $200 billion as of April 17, 2026. We sorted our results based on market capitalization and picked the top 30 stocks. Next, we focused on the top 8 stocks most favored by institutional investors. Data for the hedge fund sentiment surrounding each stock was taken from Insider Monkey’s Q4 2025 database of 1041 elite hedge funds. Finally, the 8 best large-cap stocks to invest in right now were ranked in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them as of Q4 2025.

Why do we care about what hedge funds do? 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).

8 Best Large Cap Stocks to Invest In Right Now

8. AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP)

AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP) is one of the best large-cap stocks to invest in right now. On April 13, BofA Securities reiterated its Buy rating with a price target of $705 on AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP). The research firm sees AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP) as a “show me story” as investors wait for signs of inflection in ecommerce.

Recent data from Northbeam has not shown meaningful Axon wallet-share gains since January, which appears to be holding back investor confidence.

BofA Securities pointed to the May results as the next important catalyst for the stock if the results can show that advertisers from the October cohort are increasing their spending on a per-advertiser basis. This could strengthen confidence in AppLovin Corporation’s (NASDAQ:APP) e-commerce strategy ahead of the general rollout of its self-serve platform.

Earlier, on April 9, Macquarie initiated coverage of AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP), assigning the stock an Outperform rating and setting the price target at $710. Macquarie analyst Aaron Lee said that the company’s move into e-commerce is “an attractive, multi-year growth opportunity.” The firm sees the total addressable market at $120 billion, with the potential to reach $180 billion by 2030.

Macquarie also pointed out that channel checks suggest AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP) has built a solid and competitive advertising solution ahead of its full e-commerce launch in the first half of 2026.

AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP) is an American technology company that offers end-to-end software and AI solutions for businesses of all sizes to reach, monetize, and grow their audiences.

7. Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) is one of the best large-cap stocks to invest in right now. On April 8, Tigress Financial Partners increased its price target on Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) to $260 and kept its Buy rating on the stock.

The research firm pointed to Booking Holdings Inc.’s (NASDAQ:BKNG) Q4 and full-year 2025 results as proof of momentum in its AI-powered “Connected Trip” initiative, along with growing opportunities across its platform.

Tigress Financial noted that the company is playing a leading role in the AI-driven global travel renaissance, which is supported by strong demand. The research firm also highlighted expected tailwinds from the upcoming World Cup in the summer, which could further support travel demand. Tigress Financial noted that the company’s investments in AI and operating efficiencies are expected to help accelerate business performance trends.

Additionally, the firm noted that Booking Holdings Inc.’s (NASDAQ:BKNG) agentic AI tools and planners are helping build customer loyalty and strengthen its market position. Tigress Financial said the company has a strong presence in the global travel market, which is worth more than $2 trillion.

Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) is a leading global travel technology company that provides online travel and related services.