Zacks to Release Top 10 Stock Picks for 2026 on January 5
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 26 2025
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Outstanding Historical Performance: Since 2012, Zacks' Top 10 Stocks portfolio has gained 2,530.8% through November 2025, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 570.3%, showcasing their stock-picking prowess.
- Curated Stock Strategy: Zacks' Director of Research, Sheraz Mian, is meticulously selecting the best 10 stocks from a pool of 4,400 companies, aiming to provide investors with high-quality long-term investment opportunities.
- Upcoming Recommendations: These selected stocks will be officially released on January 5, 2026, presenting investors with a timely opportunity to position themselves for potential gains.
- Short-Term Recommendation Report: Zacks is also offering a free report on the “7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days,” further assisting investors in capitalizing on short-term market opportunities.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy AAPL?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on AAPL
Wall Street analysts forecast AAPL stock price to rise
27 Analyst Rating
17 Buy
9 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 304.990
Low
239.00
Averages
306.89
High
350.00
Current: 304.990
Low
239.00
Averages
306.89
High
350.00
About AAPL
Apple Inc. designs, manufactures and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables and accessories, and sells a variety of related services. Its product categories include iPhone, Mac, iPad, Wearables, Home and Accessories. Its services include advertising, AppleCare, cloud services, digital content, and payment services. The Company operates various platforms, including the App Store, that allow customers to discover and download applications and digital content, such as books, music, video, games and podcasts. It also offers digital content through subscription-based services, including Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple News+, and Apple TV+. Its wearables include smartwatches, wireless headphones, and spatial computers. Its products include iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone SE, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, Mac Pro, iPad Pro, iPad Air, AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Meta Launches New App Threatening Reddit's User Base
- Meta App Launch: Meta has introduced a standalone app called Forum, currently in testing on Apple's iOS, aimed at competing with Reddit and potentially attracting users with less loyalty to Reddit's community, which could impact user engagement on the platform.
- Stock Price Reaction: Reddit shares fell approximately 6% on Friday, reflecting market concerns about potential user attrition due to Meta's new app, despite Reddit's strengthening online ad business and a nearly 40% decline in stock price this year.
- Analyst Insights: Truist analysts noted that this move by Meta could gradually erode Reddit's utility, particularly for casual users, and recommended investors to keep an eye on Reddit's stock as a potential buy opportunity.
- Historical Context: Meta previously launched a Facebook Groups app over a decade ago but discontinued it in 2017, indicating Meta's ongoing interest in the social discussion space and its efforts to reclaim that market segment.
See More
U.S. Stocks End Week Strong, Dow Hits All-Time High
- Dow Hits Record High: As of 1:15 p.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.9% to reach an all-time high, reflecting strong market confidence in economic recovery, particularly driven by tech stocks.
- Yield Drop Benefits Market: The 10-year Treasury yield fell to around 4.55%, while the 30-year yield dropped to approximately 5.07%, indicating lower borrowing costs for companies, which enhances stock valuations, especially for tech firms reliant on future earnings.
- Active Individual Stocks: Qualcomm surged about 12% after announcing an expanded partnership with Stellantis to integrate its chips and AI technology into next-gen vehicles, showcasing market enthusiasm for tech stocks despite its relatively small market cap.
- Potential Winning Week: If the S&P 500 maintains its gains, it will mark its eighth consecutive week of increases, a feat not seen since late 2023, reflecting optimistic expectations regarding corporate earnings and economic growth.
See More
Dow Jones Hits All-Time Highs Amid Easing Tensions
- Dow Jones Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.9% on Friday, reaching all-time highs, reflecting increased market confidence in economic recovery, particularly driven by tech stocks, which may attract more investor attention.
- Progress in Peace Talks: Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated progress in peace negotiations with Iran, easing geopolitical tensions and reducing pressure on oil prices, which could promote global economic stability.
- Bond Market Recovery: The 10-year Treasury yield dropped to around 4.55%, while the 30-year yield fell to approximately 5.07%, indicating lower borrowing costs for companies, which helps enhance valuations for tech stocks, especially with optimistic investment prospects in AI.
- Overall Market Trends: The S&P 500 is on track for its eighth consecutive weekly gain, reflecting optimistic expectations for future economic growth, despite some volatility earlier in the week, the overall trend remains positive.
See More
Meta's Forum App Poses New Threat to Reddit
- Stock Decline: Reddit shares fell approximately 6% on Friday, reflecting market concerns over Meta's new Forum app potentially impacting user congregation and discussions, leading to a nearly 40% decline in Reddit's stock this year.
- Increased Competition: The Forum app, launched as part of Facebook Groups, aims to compete with Reddit, with analysts noting that it could gradually erode Reddit's appeal to casual users who have less community loyalty.
- Advertising Growth: Despite competitive pressures, Reddit reported over 60% year-over-year sales growth in April, marking its seventh consecutive quarter of sales growth, indicating strong performance in its online advertising business.
- Analyst Recommendations: Truist analysts recommend buying Reddit stock, suggesting that even with new competition, Reddit's core user base is likely to remain loyal, while the impact on non-core users could be more significant.
See More
IMAX Shares Surge 15% on Sale Exploration News
- Stock Price Surge: IMAX shares jumped 15% on Friday, reaching new highs, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding the company's potential sale and investor optimism about future acquisitions.
- Potential Buyers: Analysts suggest that Apple, Sony, and Netflix are the most likely buyers, as these firms can maintain IMAX's vendor-neutral stance, thereby avoiding antitrust scrutiny and preserving competitive value.
- Market Capitalization: With a market cap of approximately $1.85 billion, IMAX is seen as a digestible acquisition target for any major studio or private equity firm, highlighting its attractiveness and potential value in the industry.
- Future Price Expectations: Analysts expect IMAX shares to establish a new floor in the high $30s to low $40s, reflecting market modeling and expectations surrounding potential acquisition bids.
See More
IMAX Explores Sale, Sparks Market Buzz
- Stock Surge: IMAX shares rose approximately 14% on sale speculation, reaching nearly $39 per share with a market cap of about $2.1 billion, indicating strong market interest in potential buyers from Hollywood studios and tech companies.
- Potential Buyers: Analysts suggest that potential acquirers of IMAX include Netflix, Apple, and Sony, all of which possess strong technological and content capabilities, and acquiring IMAX could enhance their competitive edge in the premium cinema market.
- Financial Performance: IMAX generated a record $1.28 billion at the global box office last year, a more than 40% increase, with projected revenue of $448 million in 2026, showcasing robust business growth potential despite its valuation not returning to pre-pandemic levels.
- Market Expansion: IMAX plans to install 160 to 175 new systems by 2026 and is partnering with countries like China, Japan, and South Korea to screen local language content, further reducing dependence on any single market and enhancing its competitive position globally.
See More
Meta Launches New App Threatening Reddit's User Base
- Meta App Launch: Meta has introduced a standalone app called Forum, currently in testing on Apple's iOS, aimed at competing with Reddit and potentially attracting users with less loyalty to Reddit's community, which could impact user engagement on the platform.
- Stock Price Reaction: Reddit shares fell approximately 6% on Friday, reflecting market concerns about potential user attrition due to Meta's new app, despite Reddit's strengthening online ad business and a nearly 40% decline in stock price this year.
- Analyst Insights: Truist analysts noted that this move by Meta could gradually erode Reddit's utility, particularly for casual users, and recommended investors to keep an eye on Reddit's stock as a potential buy opportunity.
- Historical Context: Meta previously launched a Facebook Groups app over a decade ago but discontinued it in 2017, indicating Meta's ongoing interest in the social discussion space and its efforts to reclaim that market segment.
See More
U.S. Stocks End Week Strong, Dow Hits All-Time High
- Dow Hits Record High: As of 1:15 p.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.9% to reach an all-time high, reflecting strong market confidence in economic recovery, particularly driven by tech stocks.
- Yield Drop Benefits Market: The 10-year Treasury yield fell to around 4.55%, while the 30-year yield dropped to approximately 5.07%, indicating lower borrowing costs for companies, which enhances stock valuations, especially for tech firms reliant on future earnings.
- Active Individual Stocks: Qualcomm surged about 12% after announcing an expanded partnership with Stellantis to integrate its chips and AI technology into next-gen vehicles, showcasing market enthusiasm for tech stocks despite its relatively small market cap.
- Potential Winning Week: If the S&P 500 maintains its gains, it will mark its eighth consecutive week of increases, a feat not seen since late 2023, reflecting optimistic expectations regarding corporate earnings and economic growth.
See More
Dow Jones Hits All-Time Highs Amid Easing Tensions
- Dow Jones Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.9% on Friday, reaching all-time highs, reflecting increased market confidence in economic recovery, particularly driven by tech stocks, which may attract more investor attention.
- Progress in Peace Talks: Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated progress in peace negotiations with Iran, easing geopolitical tensions and reducing pressure on oil prices, which could promote global economic stability.
- Bond Market Recovery: The 10-year Treasury yield dropped to around 4.55%, while the 30-year yield fell to approximately 5.07%, indicating lower borrowing costs for companies, which helps enhance valuations for tech stocks, especially with optimistic investment prospects in AI.
- Overall Market Trends: The S&P 500 is on track for its eighth consecutive weekly gain, reflecting optimistic expectations for future economic growth, despite some volatility earlier in the week, the overall trend remains positive.
See More
Meta's Forum App Poses New Threat to Reddit
- Stock Decline: Reddit shares fell approximately 6% on Friday, reflecting market concerns over Meta's new Forum app potentially impacting user congregation and discussions, leading to a nearly 40% decline in Reddit's stock this year.
- Increased Competition: The Forum app, launched as part of Facebook Groups, aims to compete with Reddit, with analysts noting that it could gradually erode Reddit's appeal to casual users who have less community loyalty.
- Advertising Growth: Despite competitive pressures, Reddit reported over 60% year-over-year sales growth in April, marking its seventh consecutive quarter of sales growth, indicating strong performance in its online advertising business.
- Analyst Recommendations: Truist analysts recommend buying Reddit stock, suggesting that even with new competition, Reddit's core user base is likely to remain loyal, while the impact on non-core users could be more significant.
See More
IMAX Shares Surge 15% on Sale Exploration News
- Stock Price Surge: IMAX shares jumped 15% on Friday, reaching new highs, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding the company's potential sale and investor optimism about future acquisitions.
- Potential Buyers: Analysts suggest that Apple, Sony, and Netflix are the most likely buyers, as these firms can maintain IMAX's vendor-neutral stance, thereby avoiding antitrust scrutiny and preserving competitive value.
- Market Capitalization: With a market cap of approximately $1.85 billion, IMAX is seen as a digestible acquisition target for any major studio or private equity firm, highlighting its attractiveness and potential value in the industry.
- Future Price Expectations: Analysts expect IMAX shares to establish a new floor in the high $30s to low $40s, reflecting market modeling and expectations surrounding potential acquisition bids.
See More
IMAX Explores Sale, Sparks Market Buzz
- Stock Surge: IMAX shares rose approximately 14% on sale speculation, reaching nearly $39 per share with a market cap of about $2.1 billion, indicating strong market interest in potential buyers from Hollywood studios and tech companies.
- Potential Buyers: Analysts suggest that potential acquirers of IMAX include Netflix, Apple, and Sony, all of which possess strong technological and content capabilities, and acquiring IMAX could enhance their competitive edge in the premium cinema market.
- Financial Performance: IMAX generated a record $1.28 billion at the global box office last year, a more than 40% increase, with projected revenue of $448 million in 2026, showcasing robust business growth potential despite its valuation not returning to pre-pandemic levels.
- Market Expansion: IMAX plans to install 160 to 175 new systems by 2026 and is partnering with countries like China, Japan, and South Korea to screen local language content, further reducing dependence on any single market and enhancing its competitive position globally.
See More
