12 Days of Investing: My Top 12 Stocks to Buy Before 2026

Core Viewpoint - The article presents a list of 12 stocks that are recommended for investment during the countdown to the new year, highlighting their long-term growth potential and current market conditions. Group 1: Recommended Stocks - Apple: Expected to achieve an 11% gain for the year, with a strong brand and growing AI integration across products, which may drive future revenue growth [5][6]. - Costco: Trading at 43x forward earnings estimates, down from over 58x, with a strong business model and high membership renewal rates above 90% in the U.S. and Canada [7][9]. - Carnival: The world's largest cruise operator has returned to profitability and is paying down debt, trading at only 11x forward earnings estimates [11][12]. - Intuitive Surgical: A leader in robotic surgery with a strong moat due to high costs of its systems and recurrent revenue from instruments and accessories [13][15]. - Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Leading in cystic fibrosis treatment with strong revenue and growth potential in new treatment areas [16][18]. - Coca-Cola: Strong brand and distribution network with a history of dividend increases for over 50 consecutive years, making it a solid choice for passive income [19][20]. - Pool Corp.: The largest supplier of pool equipment, trading at 22x forward earnings estimates, with consistent demand for maintenance services [21][22]. - Amazon: A leader in e-commerce and cloud computing, benefiting from AI growth, with AWS reporting a $132 billion annual revenue run rate [24][25]. - Target: Facing challenges but may recover in 2026, trading at 13x forward earnings estimates, presenting a potential buying opportunity [27][28]. - CRISPR Therapeutics: Recently approved a blood disorder treatment, with expected significant growth in the coming year [29][30]. - Broadcom: A networking giant emerging as a potential AI chip winner, with high demand for custom chips [31][32]. - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing: A key player in chip production for AI, benefiting from multiple clients and significant investments in U.S. manufacturing [33][34].