AI Bubble or Not, These 3 Stocks Make Excellent Long-Term Plays to Buy in January

Group 1: Market Overview - The S&P 500 has increased by 79% over the last three years, raising concerns among investors about a potential sell-off in 2026 [1] - Investing in fundamentally sound companies, even at high valuations, can be an effective long-term wealth growth strategy [1] Group 2: AI Investment Sentiment - According to The Motley Fool's 2026 AI Investor Outlook Report, 60% of respondents believe AI-focused companies will yield strong long-term results, with higher optimism among Gen Z (67%), millennials (63%), and high earners (70%) [2] Group 3: ASML - ASML is a semiconductor equipment manufacturer that uniquely produces extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, essential for advanced chip manufacturing [4] - Demand for ASML's EUV machines is expected to grow for decades, as advanced chips require precision that general-purpose fabs cannot achieve [5] - ASML's advanced machines are critical for producing next-generation AI chips [7] Group 4: Nvidia - Nvidia remains the leader in designing graphics processing units and solutions for hyperscale data centers, despite increasing competition from companies like Broadcom and AMD [6] - Nvidia's investment thesis is strong, as it benefits from increased AI adoption across various sectors, maintaining a high net profit margin of 53% [8] Group 5: Microsoft - Microsoft provides investors with exposure to AI infrastructure and applications, complementing the growth potential in the AI sector [7]