In this article, we will take a look at the Top 10 NASDAQ Stocks to Buy for Retirement.
Stocks rose after a highly anticipated Supreme Court ruling determined Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook would keep her position for the time being, refusing the Trump administration’s attempts to dismiss her. Meanwhile, decreasing hostilities between the United States and Iran helped boost markets after the two countries apparently agreed to halt attacks that began over the weekend.
For now, the June jobs report is expected to be the main event of the upcoming week. The Federal Reserve’s policy-making process relies heavily on the monthly nonfarm-payrolls report, which is scheduled to be released on July 2.
Meanwhile, the broader technology sector has been on a wild ride recently, with AI stocks skyrocketing to unprecedented heights. However, they’re under pressure because investors are concerned their profits may not keep pace with the massive spikes in their stock prices. In another development, SpaceX, which owns both the xAI business and spacecraft, has already risen to a valuation of more than $2 trillion following its stock’s anticipated NASDAQ listing earlier this month, with strong gains and losses ensuing.
It has grown to the point where NASDAQ announced that the company will be included in the NASDAQ-100 index before trading begins on July 7. This will compel index-tracking funds to acquire shares in the new tech giant on the scene. Considering SpaceX registered on the NASDAQ with a small percentage of publicly traded shares, experts believe its initial weight in these benchmark indexes and retirement funds will be limited.
Our Methodology
We sifted through financial media reports and ETFs tracking high-quality NASDAQ-listed stocks to find the best stocks to invest in for retirement. From that list, we settled on stocks with dividend yields above 3% and returns on equity above 15%. We also focused on less volatile stocks with equity betas between 0 and 1.0 and strong hedge fund sentiment.
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. Insider Monkey’s quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 599.2% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 372 percentage points (see more details here).
10. The Campbell’s Company (NASDAQ:CPB)
The Campbell’s Company (NASDAQ:CPB) ranks among the top NASDAQ stocks for retirement. On June 23, William Blair began coverage of The Campbell’s Company with a Market Perform rating. According to the analyst, David Shakno, The Campbell’s Company has a strong position in the product categories and food and beverage segments in which it operates.
Shakno claims that the company’s leading brands usually occupy the top or a sizable portion of the market, and Campbell’s has developed a growth and productivity plan that should allow it to consistently provide both top-line and bottom-line growth.
In addition, following the third quarter data, Stifel reaffirmed its Hold rating and $20 price target for The Campbell’s Company. The company announced earnings per share of $0.50, exceeding the consensus expectation by $0.02. Organic sales fell 4% during the quarter, with both the Meals & Beverages and Snacks sectors reporting declines of 4%.
Formerly known as Campbell Soup Company, The Campbell’s Company offers affordable food and beverages, with its operations divided into two divisions: Snacks and Meals & Beverages. Its brand portfolio comprises approximately 16 brands.
9. H World Group Limited (NASDAQ:HTHT)
H World Group Limited (NASDAQ:HTHT) ranks among the top NASDAQ stocks for retirement. H World Group Limited posted better-than-expected earnings in the first quarter of 2026 on May 15. The company’s EPS of RMB3.36 surpassed estimates of RMB3.13, representing a 7.35% surprise. Revenue also came in at RMB6.0 billion ($870 million), 6.01% more than the projection of RMB5.66 billion. Manachised and franchised revenue increased by 20.3% to RMB3.0 billion, or around $436 million, at the same time.
The majority of the work was done by the China business. While H World International revenue expanded more slowly by 5.1% to RMB972 million, H World China revenue increased 12.4% year-over-year to RMB5 billion.
As of March 31, H World Group Limited operated 13,215 hotels with 1,303,563 rooms globally, and 2,894 more hotels were in progress. H World China opened 537 hotels and shuttered 177 during the quarter, indicating that despite surpassing 13,000 hotels, the company is still working aggressively to expand its network.
H World Group Limited owns and operates multi-brand hotels worldwide. The company operates through two main segments, including Legacy DH and Legacy Huazhu. Its brand portfolio includes Midscale Hotels, Economy Hotels, Upscale Hotels, and others.
8. Paychex Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX)
Paychex Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX) ranks among the top NASDAQ stocks for retirement. On June 24, Paychex Inc. released its fiscal fourth quarter and full-year 2026 operational and financial results, showcasing double-digit revenue and earnings expansion along with the introduction of its WISE AI-based analytics platform. For the fourth quarter, the company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.32, just over the average expectation of $1.31. Meanwhile, revenue of $1.61 billion was slightly higher than the $1.60 billion projection.
Additionally, Stifel maintained a Hold rating on Paychex Inc. on June 17 while increasing its price objective from $105 to $110. The firm’s messaging heading into the calm period reflected sustained confidence in fiscal 2027 consensus estimates of mid-single-digit revenue growth and a moderate margin increase.
According to Stifel, the pace of fiscal 2026 cost-saving realization, combined with operational leverage and internal AI adoption, supports margin expansion. Customers have shown a willingness to rely on human capital management providers for AI rollouts, implying that there may be more AI-related potential than risk.
Paychex Inc. provides integrated human capital management (HCM) solutions focused on payroll, HR, benefits, and insurance for small- to medium-sized businesses, mainly in the US and Europe. It uses its SaaS platforms like Paychex Flex and SurePayroll to offer services.
7. Fulton Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:FULT)
Fulton Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:FULT) ranks among the top NASDAQ stocks for retirement. On June 12, Piper Sandler began coverage of Fulton Financial Corporation, with a Neutral rating and a $23 price target. The firm forecasts that Fulton Financial Corporation will maintain a return on assets above 1.20%, an increase from last year.
The company’s profitability has risen as a result of higher net interest margins and two acquisitions in Philadelphia and Northern New Jersey, which offer more scale and market penetration.
Piper Sandler predicts EPS growth of 5% in 2026 and 9% in 2027, after a 19% increase in 2025. Given expected moderate loan growth and constrained net interest margin gain owing to reduced asset sensitivity, the firm anticipates few near-term catalysts.
Moreover, Fulton Financial’s recent earnings call came with a noticeably positive tone, with management pointing towards consistent, repeatable earnings and enhanced efficiency amid moderate margin pressure.
In line with the previous quarter’s results, Fulton Financial Corporation reported operational net income available to common shareholders of $99.7 million, or $0.55 per diluted share. After acquisition-related adjustments, GAAP EPS came in at $0.51, indicating that core profitability is still intact.
Fulton Financial Corporation is an American regional financial services company that offers banking, lending, and investment management services.
6. Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA)
Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) ranks among the top NASDAQ stocks for retirement. On June 23, UBS reaffirmed its Neutral rating for Comcast Corporation, with a $32 price target. The firm forecasts second-quarter results to show greater connectivity EBITDA reductions, while content improves due to fewer NBA games, playoff marketing, and Peacock approaching profitability.
UBS revised its second-quarter expectations to reflect lower park performance, now expecting total company revenue to climb 1.6% and EBITDA to fall 6.6% in the second quarter, adjusting for Versant, compared to previous projections of 2.0% revenue growth and a 6.3% EBITDA decrease.
The firm continues to forecast moderate growth in the latter half as the new pricing and packaging, as well as the NBA deal, are implemented, while political advertising ramps up.
In a separate vein, Comcast’s Xfinity began offering same-day Wi-Fi hardware to new customers in 20 select cities on June 16, with plans to expand the service to other Xfinity regions by early next year. The Xfinity app allows consumers to set up the company’s Wi-Fi Gateway, connect devices instantly, adjust their WiFi configurations, and monitor their home network.
Comcast Corporation provides internet, video, and phone services. The company’s operations are divided into the following segments: Residential Connectivity and Platforms; Business Services Connectivity; Media; Studios; and Theme Parks.
5. Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB)
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB) ranks among the top NASDAQ stocks for retirement. Piper Sandler increased its price objective for Kimberly-Clark Corporation to $121 from $115 on June 17, while keeping an Overweight rating on the company’s shares. The firm highlighted that cost headwinds remain relatively manageable, aided by solid productivity gains and a recent drop in oil prices.
The updated price target is approximately 16x 2027 expected earnings per share, an increase from the previous 15x. Kimberly-Clark Corporation has expanded its June merchandising, according to the firm, and innovation is expected to pick up in the latter half of 2026.
Piper Sandler anticipated $150 million to $170 million in additional gross inflation, assuming oil at $100 per barrel, compared with $80 per barrel now. According to the firm, the upside from Kimberly Clark’s KVUE transaction will not be realized until 2028.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a global company focused on consumer goods, personal care products, and solutions. It operates through two segments: North America and International Personal Care.
4. Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NASDAQ:PAA)
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NASDAQ:PAA) ranks among the top NASDAQ stocks for retirement. Following the company’s disclosure of enhanced capital expenditure for 2026, UBS restated its Buy rating and $25 price target for Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. on June 16. Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. estimates growth capital spending to increase to $400 million to $450 million net to PAA by this year, a rise from around $350 million.
The additional budget is being driven by numerous expansion plans in the company’s Permian long-haul, Canadian gathering, and Permian gathering operations. UBS observed that the global setting for oil has grown stronger since the beginning of the year, and client activity and demand have enabled the company to go forward with many high-return projects.
UBS sees increased growth capital as a plus, noting that it will propel incremental profitability at a competitive rate of return. UBS feels Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. continues to prove the bears wrong by exhibiting its organic growth potential.
Founded in 1998, Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. is an established leader in the midstream energy sector. The Texas-based company owns and operates an extensive network of pipeline transportation, terminaling, storage, and gathering assets for crude oil and natural gas liquids.
3. PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP)
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) ranks among the top NASDAQ stocks for retirement. As part of a Q2 results preview, Citi lowered its price objective for PepsiCo, Inc. to $170 from $182 and maintained a Buy rating on the stock. The firm expects PepsiCo, Inc. to report earnings per share of $2.18, lower than the average projection of $2.22.
The company is facing issues in its snacking business and is losing market share in North American beverage subcategories. However, these flaws are mitigated by a thriving multinational business.
In a similar vein, Deutsche Bank reduced its price target for PepsiCo, Inc. to $168 from $173 with a Buy rating on June 18. The firm stated that early-quarter data indicated “encouraging momentum” after the company regained positive volume growth during the first quarter. However, consumption patterns slowed in late April and May.
One of the most well-known names in the world, PepsiCo, Inc., is an American multinational company involved in the food, snack, and beverage sectors.
2. CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CME)
CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CME) ranks among the top NASDAQ stocks for retirement. On June 18, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised CME Group Inc. to Outperform from Market Perform, retaining a $305 price objective on the company’s shares. Considering recent stock market losses, the firm highlighted an appealing risk/reward opportunity.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods stated that the recent pressure stems from concerns about ongoing futures risk, which it believes is exaggerated for exchanges overall and for CME Group Inc. in particular, given its limited retail presence and index licenses across equity products.
In addition, Piper Sandler reaffirmed its Overweight rating and $320 price target for CME Group Inc. the day before in response to the company’s leadership announcement. According to CME Group Inc., CEO Terry Duffy will retire in March 2027, with President and CFO Lynne Fitzpatrick taking over as CEO.
According to Piper Sandler, Fitzpatrick took over as CFO in 2023, replacing longtime CFO John Pietrowicz, and has been active on both the buy-side and sell-side over recent years.
Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, CME Group Inc. allows institutional participants to manage risk and trade futures, options, and indices across all major asset classes. The exchange offers highly regulated, cash-settled derivatives like Bitcoin and Ethereum futures and crypto-index products.
1. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN)
Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) ranks among the top NASDAQ stocks for retirement. On June 16, Mizuho increased its price target for Amgen Inc. to $303 from $295 while keeping a Neutral rating on the company’s shares, with the firm highlighting MariTide and olpasiran as crucial focal points for the company.
Mizuho said that Novartis and Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ pelacarsen Phase 3 Lp(a) research is slated to conclude in the early second half of 2026, which might possibly assist Amgen Inc..
Mizuho slightly increased its medium-term sales outlook for Amgen Inc., leading to a minor price target revision. As information from the Novartis and Ionis Phase 3 Lp(a) research becomes available, likely in the first half of 2026, the firm anticipates that market focus will turn toward olpasiran. The olpasiran data is expected to be released at a later time.
Meanwhile, Mizuho noted a potential risk associated with a tax dispute resolution projected no sooner than the latter half of 2026. The firm stated that it is seeking more details on the IRS tax dispute, which, as per Amgen’s 10-Q filing, will not be resolved before the latter half of 2026.
Amgen Inc. is a drug manufacturer that delivers human therapeutics through pharmaceutical wholesale distributors. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in California.
