Finding the Top "Strong Buy" Stocks to Buy in 2026

Market Outlook - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq are being pushed towards all-time highs as the Q4 earnings season approaches [1] - The earnings outlook for 2026 is strong, with growth expected across nearly all sectors of the economy [1] - The U.S. Federal Reserve is anticipated to cut interest rates again in 2026, contributing to a bullish market environment [1] Investment Strategy - Investors are encouraged to focus on best-in-class stocks, particularly those with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [2] - A Zacks screen can help identify top-ranked stocks from over 200 highly-rated companies [3] Stock Screening Criteria - The screening parameters include a Zacks Rank of 1, positive Q1 estimate revisions over the last four weeks, and top broker rating changes [4][5][6][7] Featured Stock: Photronics (PLAB) - Photronics is highlighted as a strong buy, being the only pure-play photomask company in the U.S. [7][10] - PLAB's stock surged 50% in the past month, reaching its highest levels in approximately 25 years [8][14] - The company is projected to grow its FY26 earnings by 9% and over 10% in the following year [11] - PLAB trades 30% below its average Zacks price target and at a nearly 50% discount compared to the Zacks Tech sector [14]