Could This Unexpected Tech Stock Be One of the Best Buys for 2026?

Core Viewpoint - Nintendo's stock (NTDOY) has dropped over 17% in the past month due to rising memory chip costs, primarily driven by AI demand, which may compress margins on its Switch 2 consoles. Despite this, some analysts consider it one of the best buys for 2026, with expectations of strong performance from the Switch 2 [1][3]. Group 1: Stock Performance and Market Sentiment - NTDOY stock gained over 70% from the start of 2025 to its peak in August 2025, and despite the recent selloff, it remains up 21% year-to-date [6]. - Investors are taking profits amid concerns over rising component costs, particularly for electronic components used in gaming consoles that are also in demand for AI applications [5][6]. Group 2: Sales Forecast and Product Performance - Nintendo has raised its Switch 2 sales forecast from 15 million to 19 million units for fiscal 2026, with 10.36 million units sold as of September 30 [3]. - The performance of the Switch 2 has exceeded market expectations, as noted by Toyo Securities analyst Hideki Yasuda [3]. Group 3: Software Sales and Market Dynamics - Nintendo is experiencing strong software sales, with Pokémon Legends: Z-A selling 5.8 million units in its first week, priced between $60 to $70 [4]. - Analysts argue that higher sales volumes from the Switch 2 will help offset margin compression caused by rising production costs [4].