Investors are betting these stocks will reap considerable returns in 2026
Although stocks closed lower on the last trading day of 2025, several names could gain ground in the new year, investors said Wednesday on CNBC’s “Halftime Report.” “I will admit it has a sour feeling to it … but whatever January may bring in the markets, we’re likely to have a good year,” Jim Lebenthal, chief equity strategist at Cerity Partners, told CNBC. Stocks posted a four-session losing streak to end the year, with the S & P 500 finishing 0.7% lower on Wednesday. However, the broad-market index still posted an advance of 16.4% in 2025, marking its third straight year of double-digit gains. Expecting stocks to continue their climb, Lebenthal pointed to several names on which his firm is bullish. Short Hills Capital managing partner Stephen Weiss and Virtus Investment Partners senior managing director Joe Terranova also shared the names they like for the new year on “Halftime Report.” Here are some of the names that could be on track for a solid 2026, according to these investors. Apple Apple is poised to fare better in 2026 as it leans into artificial intelligence — an area in which the iPhone maker has so far largely underwhelmed its investors and customers. “I think we are going to learn more and more how they are ultimately going to benefit and participate in the Apple intelligence and overall artificial intelligence story,” Terranova said, adding that he thinks Apple could partner with a company like Alphabet to accelerate its AI initiatives in 2026. “I think ’26 sets up nicely for them, for us, to get what we’ve been looking for the last couple of years, which is full clarity,” he said. Demands for the iPhone in China is also expected to grow in 2026, as the firm continues its recent bid to recapture market share in the region, Terranova noted. Apple shares posted an 8.5% gain in 2025. Citigroup Although Citigroup booked big returns this year, the stock is still trading at a discount, making it appealing to investors like Lebenthal. “This still is a stock that, amongst its peers, is far and away the cheapest,” he said. The investors acknowledged that Citi’s profitability is lower compared to many of its peers. However, the bank’s profits have risen over the past three and a half years — a trend that is likely to continue in 2026, according to Lebenthal. Citi shares jumped about 66% in 2025. EQT EQT could have room to run in 2026, according to Terranova. The natural gas company has demonstrated resiliency, stemming from its ability to generate very strong cash flow, Terranova said. Moreover, EQT’s operations in Appalachia position the firm to benefit from the artificial intelligence data center boom, according to the investor. “They have what I would call prime geographic exposure to really where we see a lot of robust data center demand, in particular for Virginia,” Terranova said. “Ultimately, natural gas is going to be a power generation solution for that data center demand.” EQT is up 16% year to date. Adobe Although Adobe underperformed in 2025, it is on the right path to bounce back in the new year, according to Lebenthal. “I do think that the stock is starting to respond,” he said. “The fact that it didn’t get crushed in December on tax-loss harvesting is evidence of that.” In the fourth quarter, the company surpassed expectations on the top and bottom lines, per FactSet. Adobe also called for first-quarter adjusted earnings of $5.85 to $5.90 per share on revenue of $6.25 billion to $6.30 billion, beating the consensus estimate. The stock dropped 21% in 2025, but posted a 9% climb in December. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has room to run in 2026, according to Weiss. He noted that the company is “agnostic” when it comes to working with tech giants on chips for sophisticated artificial intelligence applications. “It could be a Meta chip. It could be an Amazon chip. It could be an Nvidia chip. It’s being made at Taiwan Semi,” Weiss said. The investor added that the firm’s cash flow is growing, adding that it has a strong design business. “It doesn’t have to worry about the competition,” Weiss said, noting that it’s his largest position. TSMC shares jumped nearly 54% in 2025.
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