Three Standout Best Stocks to Buy Now in Early 2026

The equity market is full of opportunities for disciplined investors. Among the thousands of publicly traded companies, a select few trading under $100 per share stand out as best stocks to buy now, backed by compelling fundamentals and Wall Street consensus. Through careful analysis of 70 technology-focused stocks, three securities emerge as particularly attractive: Circle Internet Group (CRCL), The Trade Desk (TTD), and Netflix (NFLX). These best stocks offer distinct advantages in their respective sectors—fintech, digital advertising, and streaming entertainment—with analyst communities projecting substantial gains.

Circle Internet Group: Stablecoin Dominance as the Best Buy in Fintech

Circle Internet Group operates at the intersection of payments and blockchain, positioning itself as a critical infrastructure player in digital finance. The company has emerged as a best stocks candidate due to its leadership in regulated stablecoins, particularly USDC, which commands the second-largest market position but leads in regulatory compliance across U.S. and European jurisdictions.

The fintech landscape is undergoing profound transformation. Stablecoins are projected to generate $54 billion in annual revenue growth through 2030, creating a massive addressable market. Circle’s regulatory-first approach has made USDC the preferred stablecoin for institutional adoption, according to analysis from JPMorgan Chase. This institutional preference translates into competitive moat that competitors struggle to replicate.

Currently, Circle derives revenue primarily from interest earned on reserve assets—the fiat collateral backing stablecoin issuance. However, the company recently launched the Circle Payments Network (CPN), which disrupts traditional payment infrastructure across payroll, supplier settlements, and e-commerce. This represents a significant revenue diversification opportunity.

From a valuation perspective, the stock trades at 8.1 times sales—an attractive multiple for a company projecting 32% annual revenue growth through 2027. Among 27 analysts, the median price target stands at $118 per share, implying 37% upside from the current level near $86. The stock’s recent 67% decline from its highs creates compelling entry points for investors seeking exposure to the fastest-growing segment of digital finance.

The Trade Desk: Why Advertising Tech Remains a Best Stock Opportunity

The Trade Desk operates the industry’s leading independent demand-side platform (DSP), serving as the critical infrastructure layer for digital media buying across open internet, retail media, and connected TV (CTV) environments. What makes this best stocks candidate unique is its independence—the company owns no media content that might bias purchasing decisions, distinguishing it sharply from competitors like Alphabet’s Google, Meta Platforms, and Amazon.

This independence model creates substantial advantages. Publishers and retailers more willingly share proprietary data with The Trade Desk, enabling measurement capabilities unavailable on competitor platforms. Similarly, media buyers gain transparency when purchasing CTV inventory that they cannot achieve on platforms owned by content proprietors. Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis ranked The Trade Desk as the industry leader, highlighting cutting-edge omnichannel capabilities, AI-driven optimization, and innovative identity solutions.

The stock’s recent 71% decline from all-time highs reflects market anxiety around Amazon’s expanded CTV investment. However, this decline creates opportunity. Wall Street expects The Trade Desk’s adjusted earnings to expand at 15% annually over the next two years. Trading at 21 times forward earnings, the valuation appears reasonable given growth expectations. The median analyst target among 41 coverage analysts reaches $60 per share, representing 62% upside from current prices near $37.

Netflix: Best Growth Prospects Among Streaming Entertainment

Netflix maintains commanding position as the streaming industry’s most-subscribed platform, driven by first-mover advantages, continuous content innovation, and an unparalleled library of original programming. Nielsen data indicates Netflix originated six of the top ten streaming programs currently, matching its performance from the prior year. This consistent content dominance reflects Netflix’s advantages in viewer data collection and production decision-making.

The company’s financial structure provides additional competitive benefits. Unlike rivals such as Walt Disney, Paramount, and Comcast—which must allocate capital to legacy television assets declining in relevance—Netflix dedicates resources exclusively to streaming growth. This capital allocation efficiency supports faster margin expansion and reinvestment capacity.

Recent market concern surrounding a potential Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition has pressured the stock 30% below all-time highs. This reaction appears excessive given Netflix’s fundamental momentum. Wall Street analysts project 24% annual earnings growth over the next three years, making the current 39 times earnings valuation rational for a business growing this quickly. Among 46 analysts, the median target price reaches $132 per share, implying 40% upside from current levels near $94.

Why Now Is the Time to Buy These Three Stocks

Each of these best stocks to buy now faces unique catalysts that could drive substantial shareholder returns over the next 12-24 months. Circle benefits from stablecoin adoption acceleration among mainstream financial institutions. The Trade Desk capitalizes on CTV advertising’s continued shift toward programmatic buying. Netflix sustains content leadership while optimizing its financial model.

The convergence of attractive valuations, institutional analyst enthusiasm, and structural industry tailwinds creates a compelling window for investors seeking quality growth exposure. Wall Street’s collective conviction—with median price targets implying 37-62% upside across these three names—reflects confidence in each company’s ability to execute its strategic objectives.

For investors with $100 per share to deploy, these three securities represent diversified exposure to transformative trends reshaping finance, advertising, and entertainment. The best stocks to buy now combine reasonable valuations, institutional backing, and clear pathways to shareholder value creation.