Yahoo Finance·2025-12-30 13:55Group 1: Alphabet (GOOG) - Alphabet remains a top pick for investors looking to position their portfolios for the coming year, particularly in the mega-cap tech sector [3] - The company has a strong growth profile, driven by investments in its AI LLM platform (Gemini), leading to significant efficiencies [4] - In Q3, Alphabet posted over $100 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time, with revenue growing at a 16% year-over-year rate and earnings surging 33% [4][8] Group 2: Restaurant Brands (QSR) - Restaurant Brands is recommended for investors seeking defensive positioning within their portfolios [6] - The company has been compounding growth through its quick service restaurant portfolio, including well-known brands like Burger King and Tim Hortons [7] - Restaurant Brands reported a 7% year-over-year revenue increase, with similar earnings growth, making it a suitable choice amid expected economic weakening [8]