These 3 Stocks Have Been the Nasdaq-100's Top Performers of 2025. Are They Still Good Buys for 2026?

Group 1: Market Overview - The year has been favorable for many Nasdaq-100 stocks, with investors remaining optimistic about growth stocks despite concerns over a slowing U.S. economy and rising layoffs [1] - Technology stocks have particularly excelled due to ongoing optimism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities [1] Group 2: Top Performers - As of December 15, the top-performing stocks on the Nasdaq-100 index include Micron Technology, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Palantir Technologies, with a focus on their impressive performances and potential for further gains in 2026 [2] Group 3: Micron Technology - Micron Technology has achieved a total return of 177% in 2025, driven by soaring demand for memory and storage solutions as tech companies invest in AI infrastructure [4] - The company is exiting its consumer-focused Crucial brand to concentrate on larger, more strategic customers, indicating a shift towards faster-growing segments with higher margins [5] - In fiscal 2025, Micron's sales increased by 49% to $37.4 billion, with net income rising from less than $800 million to $8.5 billion, and the stock is trading at an estimated 14 times its future earnings, suggesting it remains a strong buy [6] Group 4: Warner Bros. Discovery - Warner Bros. Discovery has seen a total return of 173% this year, primarily due to a bidding war involving Netflix and Paramount Skydance, rather than strong growth or improved profitability [7] - The company was initially planning to split up, but Netflix is attempting to acquire the larger Warner Bros. segment, which includes its streaming operations, catalog, and studios, while Paramount is bidding for the entire company [7] Group 5: Palantir Technologies - Palantir Technologies has experienced significant growth over the years, contributing to its status as a top performer on the Nasdaq-100 [8]