UBS has unveiled a list of 26 US stocks it considers top picks for 2026, highlighting companies poised for growth amid evolving industry trends, strategic initiatives, and emerging market catalysts.
The bank’s analysts selected companies across sectors including health care, technology, industrials, consumer, financials, energy, and utilities, emphasizing a mix of established leaders and growth-oriented firms.
Their selections are grounded in company fundamentals, upcoming catalysts, and market mispricing, offering investors potential upside through earnings growth, multiple expansion, or both.
Healthcare
UBS highlighted Acadia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ACAD) and UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH, XETRA:UNH) as top picks. Analysts see upside for Acadia from the mid-2026 readout of its ACP-204 Alzheimer’s disease psychosis trial, potentially boosting peak sales to $1.4 billion.
UnitedHealth is expected to deliver incremental earnings growth through margin recovery and its diversified business lines. Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) is also favored for potential segment outperformance across life sciences and diagnostics.
Technology
Tech stocks made up a significant portion of the picks. Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) is viewed as a “coiled spring” due to investments in AI infrastructure, Amazon Leo, sports licensing, and e-commerce delivery, while Arista Networks Inc (NYSE:ANET) and Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:CSCO, XETRA:CIS) are expected to benefit from accelerating AI and data center deployments.
Snowflake Inc (NYSE:SNOW), SS&C Technologies (NASDAQ:SSNC), and Texas Instruments Inc (NASDAQ:TXN) are also favored for strong product growth, recurring revenue, and operational efficiency.
Financials
In the financial sector, Capital One Financial Corp (NYSE:COF) is highlighted for synergies from its DFS acquisition, which UBS expects to drive EPS 5%-9% above consensus by 2026-2028.
Other picks include S&P Global Inc (NYSE:SPGI, XETRA:MHL), TPG Inc (NASDAQ:TPG), and Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc (NYSE:MMC), which analysts believe could benefit from margin expansion and strategic growth initiatives.
Industrials and utilities
Deere & Company (NYSE:DE, XETRA:DCO) and General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) lead the industrial picks, with UBS anticipating recovering earnings, margin improvement, and strong cash generation. Johnson Controls International PLC (NYSE:JCI) and Woodward Inc (NASDAQ:WWD) are expected to see structural earnings growth and aftermarket tailwinds.
Utilities Alliant Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:LNT) and Nextpower (NASDAQ:NXT) are highlighted for data center agreements and accretive M&A opportunities.
Consumer and materials
Consumer names include Deckers Outdoor Corp (NYSE:DECK), Lowe's Companies Inc (NYSE:LOW), PepsiCo Inc (NASDAQ:PEP, XETRA:PEP), and Sysco Corp (NYSE:SYY), with UBS projecting earnings and margin growth above consensus.
Industrial gas company Linde PLC (NASDAQ:LIN) is singled out for near-10% EPS growth in 2026, driven by electronics projects and expansion into new markets.
Energy and communication services
Ovintiv (NYSE:OVV) is highlighted for potential re-rating following Montney asset acquisitions and Anadarko Basin divestiture, while American Tower Corp (NYSE:AMT) is expected to benefit from ongoing 5G deployments and data center demand.