2 stocks to hit $500 billion by 2026

Core Insights - Global markets are evolving, enabling a select group of tech companies to transition from emerging players to market-cap giants, particularly in the context of AI and new business models in media and advertising [1] Company Summaries Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) - Netflix's current market capitalization is approximately $471.26 billion, with shares trading around $1,112.17 [2] - To achieve a $500 billion valuation, Netflix needs to increase its market value by about $28.74 billion, which is roughly a 6.10% increase, implying a target stock price of approximately $1,180 [2] - The company is diversifying its revenue streams, particularly through the expansion of its ad-supported tier, which is starting to convert signups into a monetization engine [4] - Investments in exclusive original content, international offerings, and gaming initiatives are enhancing user engagement and retention, providing multiple avenues for revenue growth [4] Palantir (NASDAQ: PLTR) - Palantir has a market capitalization of about $414.74 billion, with shares trading near $174.01 [5] - To reach a $500 billion valuation, Palantir must increase its market value by approximately $85.26 billion, representing a gain of about 20.56%, which would require a share price near $209.78 [5] - The company's growth potential is linked to the rapid adoption of AI in enterprises and government sectors, leveraging its data-analytics platform and AI-powered applications [7] - Key factors that could accelerate Palantir's valuation include the expansion of long-term government contracts, strong growth in U.S. commercial revenue, and improved recurring revenue and margins as software economics scale [8]