Core Insights - The article emphasizes the potential investment opportunities in stocks that have underperformed despite a strong overall market performance in the U.S. equities, particularly focusing on companies with solid business models that have been overlooked [1][2]. The Trade Desk (TTD) - The Trade Desk has seen its shares decline nearly 70% from their highs, but the valuation has become compelling after years of being considered untenable [5][8]. - The company operates a leading independent demand-side platform (DSP) for digital advertising, which is increasingly important as advertisers seek transparency and control [6]. - Revenue growth is expected to be in the high teens for the current year and next, with earnings projected to compound at approximately 20.4% annually over the next three to five years [7]. The Blackstone Group (BX) - Blackstone's share price has been pressured due to negative sentiment following the collapse of First Brands Group, which raised concerns about the private credit market [9][10]. - Despite the narrative risks, Blackstone remains a dominant player in alternative investments with a diversified platform and strong fundamentals, including projected revenue growth of nearly 26% next year [11][12]. - The stock trades at approximately 29x forward earnings, which is below industry peers and only modestly above its five-year median multiple, indicating a more reasonable valuation [12]. Salesforce (CRM) - Salesforce has lagged in stock performance due to shifting investor sentiment around AI monetization, but it remains deeply integrated into enterprise workflows [14][15]. - The company possesses a rich dataset and is well-positioned to leverage AI for productivity and decision-making enhancements, with a projected 15% annual earnings growth over the next three to five years [16][17]. - The stock's valuation has reset to approximately 22.6x forward earnings, and the company has consistently beaten earnings estimates, indicating strong execution [17]. Investment Outlook - All three companies—The Trade Desk, Blackstone, and Salesforce—share characteristics of high-quality businesses with reset valuations and intact long-term growth drivers, making them attractive for investors looking toward 2026 [18].
3 Beaten-Down Stocks That Could Rebound in 2026