In this article, we will discuss the 9 Best IPO Stocks to Buy in 2026.
On April 28, Tom Lee, Fundstrat, joined CNBC’s ‘Power Lunch’ to explain that the stock market is currently focused on navigating three primary risks identified at the start of the year: the potential escalation of the war in Iran, concerns over private credit, and the transition to a new Fed chair. Lee asserted that the market has largely passed the test regarding the Iran conflict, as the economy has shown remarkable strength, and earnings estimates have actually risen. He also noted that private credit underwriting is performing better than expected, which is reflected in the rebound of the IGB (software ETF). He pointed out that many private credit loans were tied to software, and since IGB has recovered from a low of 72 back to 85, he believes this is no longer a structural problem. Consequently, Lee sees the upside case for stocks strengthening, making an S&P 500 level above 7,700 highly probable.
Several planks support this bullish outlook, including higher earnings estimates and the delivery of productivity through AI. Lee cited the positive case for AI as a driver of business growth and company formation. Furthermore, he anticipates that the risk premium will drop later this year if the Middle East situation is resolved, as it would remove the hostile oil premium that has impacted pricing for a long time. Although oil remains at $95, Lee described the current market as being in a state of stasis or a settle-in mode, noting that oil prices have not significantly moved in approximately two weeks.
Our Methodology
We used screeners to identify stocks that have gone public in the last 5 years, and limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds that have stakes in them, as of Q4 2025.
Note: All data was sourced on April 28.
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).
9 Best IPO Stocks to Buy in 2026
9. Haleon (NYSE:HLN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 20
Haleon (NYSE:HLN) is one of the best IPO stocks to buy in 2026. On April 27, Haleon appointed Richard Manso as its new US Chief Marketing Officer. Reporting to Nathalie Gerschtein, CEO of US & President of North America, Manso is tasked with accelerating the company’s transition into a more agile, consumer-centric organization. His leadership will focus on integrating data, technology, and human insights to create more personalized and transparent health experiences.
In his new role, Manso will oversee Haleon’s integrated US marketing organization with a focus on driving growth across key categories. This includes advancing priority areas such as Medicare Advantage OTC, GLP-1 related health needs, and emerging platforms in Women’s and Pediatric Health. By strengthening modern marketing capabilities, he aims to build an insight-led ecosystem that engages consumers more effectively at the exact moments they make everyday health decisions.
Manso joins Haleon from Google, where he held senior leadership roles focused on large-scale B2B marketing and the adoption of AI-enabled marketing solutions. His background in digital transformation and data strategy is expected to help Haleon move beyond traditional product marketing to become a trusted partner in consumer health.
Haleon, together with its subsidiaries, researches, develops, manufactures, and sells various consumer healthcare products in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific.
8. Venture Global Inc. (NYSE:VG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 22
Venture Global Inc. (NYSE:VG) is one of the best IPO stocks to buy in 2026. On April 10, Venture Global successfully closed a $1.75 billion senior secured term loan B credit facility through its subsidiary, Calcasieu Pass Funding, LLC. This subsidiary indirectly controls the company’s Calcasieu Pass LNG project. The transaction involved a high-profile group of financial institutions, with Goldman Sachs acting as Lead Left Arranger and Bookrunner, supported by Barclays, Natixis, and Wells Fargo as Lead Right Arrangers.
The primary purpose of the new facility was to facilitate the full redemption of preferred equity interests previously held by Stonepeak Bayou Holdings II LP. By replacing this equity with debt, Venture Global significantly reduces its overall cost of capital and simplifies its capital structure. CEO Mike Sabel noted that the closing represents a major financial milestone, enhancing the company’s liquidity and showing its consistent ability to access capital markets efficiently.
This move provides Venture Global Inc. with increased financial flexibility to pursue its strategic growth priorities and long-term stakeholder value. The successful execution of the credit facility, particularly in a dynamic market environment, further strengthens the company’s balance sheet.
Venture Global Inc. is an energy, specifically LNG, company that owns, develops, constructs, and operates LNG production facilities in the US Gulf Coast. The company operates as a subsidiary of Venture Global Partners II LLC.
7. TPG Inc. (NASDAQ:TPG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29
TPG Inc. (NASDAQ:TPG) is one of the best IPO stocks to buy in 2026. On April 16, private equity firm TPG solidified its position in the sustainable infrastructure and education sectors by leading a $100 million investment in Zum, a modern student transportation company. The deal, executed through TPG’s Rise Fund, values the startup at ~$1.7 billion, a significant step up from its $1.3 billion valuation during its 2024 Series E round. This capital infusion brings Zum’s total funding to $430 million.
The investment is a strategic move for TPG’s impact investing arm, which targets companies capable of delivering both competitive financial returns and measurable social or environmental progress. By backing Zum, TPG Inc. is betting on the digital transformation of the fragmented $50 billion US student transportation market.
Steve Ellis, a managing partner at TPG’s Rise Funds, noted that Zum’s fully integrated technology stack provides the right to win over legacy operators that rely on outdated systems. As part of the agreement, Ellis will join Zum’s board of directors. TPG’s capital will be instrumental in accelerating Zum’s transition toward electric bus fleets and the development of its Connected Mobility Experience platform.
TPG Inc. is an alternative asset management company. It invests across private equity, impact, credit, real estate, and market solutions.
6. Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz (NASDAQ:KSPI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz (NASDAQ:KSPI) is one of the best IPO stocks to buy in 2026. On April 24, Kaspi.kz announced the successful issuance of $600 million in senior unsecured notes due in 2031. This transaction marks the company’s second international offering since achieving investment-grade status, carrying ratings of Baa3 from Moody’s and BBB- from Fitch. The offering was highly sought after, with demand from ~130 institutional investors leading to the transaction being 3.5x oversubscribed.
The notes carry a 5.900% coupon, payable semi-annually, with a 5-year tenor and a settlement date of April 28. Management intends to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes to further support the company’s liquidity position. The deal was orchestrated by Citigroup and JPMorgan acting as Joint Lead Managers and Joint Bookrunners, alongside BCC Invest as the Kazakhstan Manager.
CEO Mikhail Lomtadze noted that the strong investor interest reflects significant confidence in Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz’s (NASDAQ:KSPI) cash generation and operational strategy. Beyond reinforcing its market leadership in Kazakhstan, the company is focused on accelerating its business growth in Türkiye and expanding its digital service ecosystem.
Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz provides payments, marketplace, and fintech solutions for consumers and merchants. It operates in three segments: Payments, Marketplace, and Fintech.
5. UL Solutions Inc. (NYSE:ULS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39
UL Solutions Inc. (NYSE:ULS) is one of the best IPO stocks to buy in 2026. On April 13, UL Solutions entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Electrical & Electronics/E&E business of Eurofins Scientific for an enterprise value of ~€575 million ($670 million). The deal includes the well-known MET Labs certification mark and is designed to expand UL Solutions’ global laboratory footprint, particularly in the EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions.
The acquisition is expected to close in Q4 2026, pending regulatory approvals. The acquisition strengthens UL Solutions’ position in the testing, inspection, and certification/TIC industry, specifically for wireless testing, electromagnetic compatibility, and medical devices. The Eurofins E&E business is projected to generate ~$200 million in revenue in 2026. UL Solutions expects the transaction to be accretive to its adjusted diluted EPS within the first full calendar year following the close, supported by anticipated cost synergies to be realized over 3 years.
Financing for the deal will be a mix of cash on hand and the company’s undrawn credit facility. Notably, about 30% of the purchase price will be covered by proceeds from the recent sale of UL Solutions Inc.’s (NYSE:ULS) Employee Health and Safety software business, which was finalized on April 1. This move aligns with the company’s strategic focus on its core TIC and Risk & Compliance capabilities.
UL Solutions Inc. is a global leader in applied safety science. It provides testing, inspection, and certification services, along with software and advisory solutions, to help businesses in over 110 countries manage regulatory compliance and product innovation.
4. Instacart (NASDAQ:CART)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 50
Instacart (NASDAQ:CART) is one of the best IPO stocks to buy in 2026. On April 27, Cantor Fitzgerald increased the price target for Instacart to $52 from $47 with an Overweight rating ahead of the company’s Q1 earnings. The firm anticipates that Q1 results will slightly exceed the high end of previous guidance for Gross Transaction Value/GTV and EBITDA, supported by recent execution trends and strategic progress in advertising and enterprise partnerships.
While the analyst expects GTV growth to decelerate into the low double-digits during Q2 due to more difficult year-over-year comparisons, the firm remains optimistic about Instacart’s long-term retailer relationships and expects upcoming guidance to align with market expectations.
Additionally, on April 24, Bloomberg reported that Apoorva Mehta, the co-founder of Instacart, has launched a new hedge fund named Abundance that uses an autonomous army of AI agents to manage investment decisions. Based in Palo Alto, the firm aims to move beyond simple AI support tools to a model where thousands of bots handle the entire trading lifecycle, from scouring the internet for ideas and conducting research to executing and sizing long and short stock bets.
Instacart, operating as Maplebear Inc., is a North American retail technology company that operates a massive online marketplace for grocery delivery and pickup, connecting customers with personal shoppers who fulfill orders from local retail stores.
3. Amrize (NYSE:AMRZ)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 55
Amrize (NYSE:AMRZ) is one of the best IPO stocks to buy in 2026. On April 15, Amrize expanded its ‘Made in America’ label to 4 additional US cement plants, bringing the total to 9 nationwide. The newly designated manufacturing sites are located in Ada, Oklahoma; Alpena, Michigan; Joppa, Illinois; and Paulding, Ohio. This label guarantees that all aspects of production (from raw material sourcing to final processing) take place within the US, adhering to rigorous domestic performance standards while supporting local jobs and communities.
To support this expansion and meet rising construction demand, Amrize is investing $900 million across its operations in 2026. These investments specifically aim to increase production capacity at major facilities, including its flagship sites in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, and Midlothian, Texas. As the nation’s top cement producer, the company leverages a network of 13 plants and a highly efficient distribution system to provide builders with a reliable, large-scale supply of high-performance domestic materials.
With a century-long legacy, Amrize has contributed to iconic US landmarks such as One World Trade Center and the Lincoln Memorial. The company currently operates ~600 sites and employs over 11,000 people across all 50 states. By emphasizing its ‘Made in America’ portfolio, Amrize aligns itself with the broader US cement and concrete industry, which contributes over $159 billion annually to the national economy and supports more than 577,000 jobs.
Amrize is a building materials company that offers building solutions for infrastructure, commercial, and residential construction markets through two segments: Building Materials and Building Envelope.
2. Rubrik Inc. (NYSE:RBRK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 56
Rubrik Inc. (NYSE:RBRK) is one of the best IPO stocks to buy in 2026. On April 22, Rubrik expanded its cyber resilience capabilities to include Google Cloud SQL, specifically targeting organizations running managed PostgreSQL databases. Announced during Google Cloud Next, this integration allows users to protect critical workloads within Rubrik Security Cloud using immutable, air-gapped backups.
The solution is designed to fortify defenses against ransomware and ensure rapid, cross-region recovery without requiring changes to an organization’s existing database architecture or disaster recovery strategies. A primary benefit of this collaboration is the introduction of unified security management. Organizations can now oversee protection for Cloud SQL alongside Google Workspace, Google Compute Engine, and Google Kubernetes Engine through a single interface.
The system features automated discovery and protection, which uses tag-based SLA policies to automatically identify new instances and apply global retention policies. This automation helps companies in regulated industries meet strict compliance objectives more efficiently. The integration also addresses cost and flexibility concerns by allowing customers to utilize various Google Cloud Storage classes, such as Archive, Coldline, or Nearline, to align backup costs with actual usage.
Rubrik Inc. is a cybersecurity company focused on data protection, cyber resilience, and enterprise AI. Rubrik Security Cloud platform helps organizations secure, monitor, and recover data, identities, and workloads across cloud environments. In addition, Rubrik Agent Cloud supports enterprises in deploying trusted AI agents at scale.
1. Viking Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:VIK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 62
Viking Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:VIK) is one of the best IPO stocks to buy in 2026. On April 1, Viking reached a significant construction milestone with the float-out of its two newest Nile River ships, the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet. The ceremonies, held at the Massara shipyard in Cairo, mark the first time these vessels have touched water and signify their transition into the final phase of interior build-out.
The ships are scheduled to make their official debuts in September and November, respectively, further expanding Viking’s presence in Egypt. As the latest additions to a growing fleet that includes sister ships like the Viking Osiris and Viking Hathor, both the Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet are designed to host 82 guests.
The state-of-the-art vessels feature Viking’s signature Scandinavian aesthetic, including the space-saving square bow and the indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. These modern sister ships are owned and operated directly by Viking Holdings Ltd., ensuring a consistent premium experience for travelers exploring the region. The new ships will sail Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, a comprehensive journey that begins and ends in Cairo.
Viking Holdings Ltd. engages in passenger shipping and other forms of passenger transport in North America, the UK, and internationally. It operates through the River & Ocean segments.
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