Three Compelling Stocks to Invest in Right Now—Wall Street Sees Major Upside Potential in 2026

As of early 2026, financial markets continue to identify emerging opportunities across technology and fintech sectors. Among investors tracking approximately 70 stocks in the tech space, three stocks priced under $100 per share emerge as particularly attractive candidates: Circle Internet Group (NYSE: CRCL), The Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TTD), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX). Wall Street’s analyst consensus suggests substantial appreciation potential for all three investments in the coming months.

Circle Internet Group: Capturing Upside in the Stablecoin Wave

Circle stands at the forefront of the digital payments revolution through its development of USDC, the world’s most heavily regulated stablecoin by market standing. While the company currently generates the majority of its revenue from interest on reserve assets, it has recently expanded aggressively into payments infrastructure with the launch of the Circle Payments Network, creating new revenue streams in employee payroll, cross-border transactions, and e-commerce settlements.

The regulatory compliance focus that differentiated Circle throughout its early years now positions the company as the preferred partner for financial institutions seeking stablecoin exposure. According to JPMorgan Chase analysts, USDC’s stringent adherence to both U.S. and European regulatory frameworks provides competitive moat against alternative stablecoin offerings. As stablecoin revenue is projected to grow at 54% annually through 2030, Circle stands to capture disproportionate share of this expanding market.

Wall Street’s current valuation reflects this opportunity opportunity favorably. With 27 analysts maintaining a median target price of $118 per share—representing 37% upside from the current $86 level—the stock trades at 8.1 times sales, a reasonable multiple for a company expecting 32% annual revenue growth through 2027. The recent market correction that brought Circle 67% below its IPO-year highs has created an appealing entry point for investors seeking exposure to digital asset infrastructure.

The Trade Desk: Independent Advantage in the Digital Advertising Ecosystem

The Trade Desk operates the digital advertising industry’s largest independent demand-side platform, commanding particular strength in the rapidly expanding retail media and connected television advertising sectors. Unlike larger competitors such as Google, Meta Platforms, and Amazon—which face inherent conflicts of interest due to their own media properties—The Trade Desk’s standalone business model creates genuine transparency advantages for media buyers.

This independence translates into tangible competitive benefits. Major retailers preferentially share data with The Trade Desk’s platform, enabling measurement capabilities unavailable on competing DSPs. Similarly, the company’s neutral positioning attracts buyers seeking unbiased guidance on connected TV purchases. Frost & Sullivan recently ranked The Trade Desk as the industry’s leading DSP, citing cutting-edge omnichannel capabilities, sophisticated artificial intelligence tools, and innovative identity solutions as key differentiators.

Current market conditions have created attractive opportunity for astute investors to add this stock to their portfolio. Recent concerns about Amazon’s competitive expansion in CTV advertising have pressured the stock 71% below its highs, despite Wall Street’s expectation for 15% annual adjusted earnings growth over the next two years. At 21 times projected earnings, the valuation appears reasonably priced relative to growth trajectory, suggesting meaningful upside for investors with appropriate time horizons.

Netflix: Streaming Leadership Justifies Investment Conviction

Netflix maintains unparalleled dominance across the global streaming landscape through its combination of first-mover advantage, continuous innovation, and industry-leading investment in original content. Recent Nielsen data confirms Netflix’s content supremacy: the platform produced six of the ten most-watched programs across the current period, replicating similar success metrics throughout the prior year.

The company’s scale advantages extend beyond programming appeal. As the streaming service with the largest subscriber base, Netflix accumulates superior viewer data that informs increasingly sophisticated content recommendations and production decisions. This data advantage, combined with powerful brand equity and the breadth of its content library, creates formidable barriers against competitive displacement.

From a financial structural perspective, Netflix benefits from a decisive advantage relative to traditional media rivals. Unlike Walt Disney, Paramount, and Comcast—all managing legacy television assets that gradually lose value as audiences migrate to streaming—Netflix dedicates every dollar exclusively to its streaming business. This capital allocation flexibility accelerates growth velocity.

Recent market skepticism surrounding potential strategic acquisitions has created a meaningful valuation disconnect. Though the stock has declined 30% from record highs, analyst consensus anticipates 24% annual earnings growth over the next three years. The resulting 39 times earnings multiple appears reasonably calibrated to growth outlook, positioning patient investors favorably for medium-term appreciation.

Key Investment Metrics Summary

Among the three investment candidates outlined above, Wall Street’s analyst community maintains constructive positioning:

• Circle Internet Group: 27 analysts with $118 median target (37% upside potential)
• The Trade Desk: 41 analysts with $60 median target (62% upside potential)
• Netflix: 46 analysts with $132 median target (40% upside potential)

Important Considerations Before Investing

While these three stocks to invest in right now offer compelling risk-reward profiles according to current analyst consensus, investors should conduct independent due diligence aligned with personal investment objectives and risk tolerance. Historical performance examples—such as Netflix delivering 509x returns for investors who added the stock in 2004, or Nvidia generating 1,109x returns for 2005 investors—demonstrate the potential rewards of conviction investing in quality compounders, but should not encourage overconfidence regarding future performance.

The investment landscape changes continuously, and stocks identified as compelling opportunities today may face unforeseen headwinds tomorrow. Consider consulting with financial advisors regarding portfolio construction that balances these stocks to invest in right now against your broader diversification needs and time horizon.