14 Best Booming Stocks to Buy Right Now

Market Overview - The S&P 500 has shown significant gains, registering a 16% increase in 2025, following a 24% rise in 2023 and a 23% rise in 2024, totaling approximately 80% over the past three years, marking the strongest three-year performance since a 90% surge from 2019 to 2021 [1][2]. Economic Forecast - A Financial Times survey predicts a 10% gain in the S&P 500 for 2026, with all surveyed banks expecting the index to surpass 7,500 [2]. - Goldman Sachs anticipates a 12% rally in 2026, driven by earnings growth supported by a strong economy and Federal Reserve rate cuts [2][3]. Stock Valuation Insights - Ben Snider from Goldman Sachs highlights that double-digit profit growth and improved productivity from AI position the market for continued bullish trends, although high stock valuations could pose risks if earnings fall short [3][4]. Stock Selection Methodology - The article identifies U.S.-based stocks with market capitalizations of at least $2 billion that have increased by at least 20% over the past three months, further narrowing the list to those with a 50-day moving average above a 200-day moving average [6]. - The final selection includes 14 stocks with the highest average upside potential, based on data as of January 12, 2026, and includes hedge fund holdings as of Q3 2025 for additional investor interest insights [6][7]. Featured Stocks Alphatec Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATEC) - Projected revenue for 2026 is between $890 million, with 90% expected to be surgical-related, and adjusted EBITDA anticipated at around $130 million [10]. - The company reported a 25% increase in total revenue for 2025, driven by a 26% surge in surgical revenue, and ended the year with a cash balance of $161 million [9]. - Wall Street has a consensus Strong Buy rating with a one-year average share price target of $24.55, indicating an upside of nearly 40% [12]. Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: TERN) - The stock has surged over 300% in the past three months, with analysts projecting a further 42.31% upside based on a one-year average share price target of $53.75 [16]. - The company received a Buy rating from Truist Financial, with a price target raised to $56 following positive Phase 1 study results for its lead program targeting chronic myeloid leukemia [14][15]. - Mizuho Securities also reiterated an Outperform rating, indicating strong potential for TERN-701 as a leading treatment for CML [15].