5 "Magnificent" Stocks and 1 ETF That Are Must-Owns in 2026, According to Robinhood's Retail Investors

Core Viewpoint - Retail investors are increasingly favoring five members of the "Magnificent Seven" and a popular ETF for investment in 2026, reflecting a significant shift in market dynamics driven by the rise of retail investing [1][3]. Group 1: Retail Investor Trends - Approximately 30 million retail investors opened new brokerage accounts in 2020 and 2021, with retail investors accounting for 25% of total equities trading volume in 2021, nearly double the share from the previous decade [3]. - Brokerage firms, particularly Robinhood, have successfully attracted retail investors through commission-free trades and fractional share purchases [5]. Group 2: Key Stocks - Nvidia is the most held stock on Robinhood, with shares rallying 1,200% since the beginning of 2023, driven by its dominance in AI-related GPU technology [6][7]. - Tesla, with close to 1.8 million deliveries in 2023 and 2024, remains a favorite due to its first-mover advantage in the EV market, although it is considered a risky investment due to its high valuation and unfulfilled promises from its CEO [11][12]. - Apple has maintained a significant market share in the U.S. smartphone market, with a loyal customer base and a strong capital-return program, but its high P/E ratio raises concerns about its valuation [15][17]. - Amazon is projected to account for over 40% of U.S. e-commerce market share by 2025, with its cloud service, AWS, generating significant operating income, enhancing its growth potential [20][21]. - Microsoft is focusing on cloud computing and AI integration, with Azure experiencing 40% sales growth in the fiscal first quarter, although its legacy segments continue to provide stable cash flow [25][27]. Group 3: Popular ETF - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is the most popular ETF among retail investors, aiming to mirror the performance of the S&P 500, which has averaged an annual return of roughly 10.5% over the last 30 years [29][30]. - The ETF features a low net expense ratio of 0.03%, making it an attractive option for investors seeking diversification [31].