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Evercore ISI Releases Top Stock Picks for 2026

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Sunday, March 1st 2026 at 5:47 GMT by CNBC
      Locales: New York, Connecticut, California, Texas, UNITED STATES

New York, NY - March 1st, 2026 - Amidst ongoing economic uncertainties, Evercore ISI has released its highly anticipated list of top stock picks for 2026. The investment firm's recommendations heavily favor established technology and healthcare giants, suggesting a belief in their resilience and continued growth potential even as broader economic headwinds persist. This analysis delves deeper into the reasoning behind these selections, exploring the underlying market trends and potential catalysts for success.

The list, unveiled earlier today, comprises ten companies spanning diverse sectors but with a clear bias towards innovation and essential services. Here's a breakdown of Evercore ISI's top picks, alongside their corresponding price targets:

• Amazon (AMZN): $220
• Alphabet (GOOGL): $185
• Nvidia (NVDA): $460
• Meta Platforms (META): $535
• Microsoft (MSFT): $465
• Broadcom (AVGO): $1,145
• Deere (DE): $470
• UnitedHealth Group (UNH): $650
• Thermo Fisher (TMO): $640
• Lockheed Martin (LMT): $620

Tech Titans Lead the Charge

The prominence of technology companies is perhaps the most striking feature of Evercore ISI's outlook. Amazon, Alphabet, Nvidia, and Microsoft - four of the world's most valuable firms - all receive buy ratings. This signals a continued expectation for strong performance from these established players, despite concerns surrounding potential regulation and increased competition.

Nvidia's inclusion is particularly noteworthy. The company remains at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution, benefiting from demand for its GPUs in data centers, autonomous vehicles, and gaming. The $460 price target suggests analysts believe this momentum will continue, driven by the expanding applications of AI across various industries. Similarly, Microsoft's strong position in cloud computing (Azure) and enterprise software is seen as a reliable revenue generator. Amazon, while facing challenges in its e-commerce business, is expected to benefit from the growth of its cloud division (AWS) and its increasingly diverse portfolio of services. Alphabet, encompassing Google and its related ventures, is positioned to capitalize on the digital advertising market and its innovative projects in areas like Waymo (autonomous driving) and Verily (life sciences).

Meta Platforms, formerly Facebook, has successfully navigated a turbulent period of change and is now showing signs of robust growth through its Reels platform and advertising optimization. The $535 target reflects confidence in their continued adaptation to the evolving social media landscape.

Healthcare: A Defensive Play in Uncertain Times

The inclusion of UnitedHealth Group and Thermo Fisher underscores the enduring appeal of the healthcare sector as a relatively defensive investment during economic downturns. Demand for healthcare services and products remains relatively stable regardless of macroeconomic conditions. UnitedHealth, as a leading health insurance and healthcare services provider, is expected to benefit from aging demographics and the increasing complexity of healthcare delivery. Thermo Fisher, a key player in life sciences research and diagnostics, is positioned to gain from continued investment in pharmaceutical development and personalized medicine.

Industrial Strength and National Security

Deere, the agricultural machinery giant, represents a bet on the long-term demand for food production. Increasing global population and the need for efficient farming practices are expected to drive demand for Deere's equipment. Broadcom, a semiconductor and infrastructure software company, is viewed as a critical component of the technological supply chain, benefiting from the ongoing digitalization of industries. Finally, Lockheed Martin, the defense contractor, benefits from sustained government spending on defense and national security, particularly given the complex geopolitical climate.

Navigating Economic Uncertainty

Evercore ISI acknowledges that economic uncertainty will likely persist throughout 2026. Factors such as inflation, interest rate volatility, and geopolitical tensions continue to pose risks to the global economy. However, the firm believes that the companies on this list are well-positioned to weather these challenges and deliver strong returns for investors. The focus on established, profitable companies with strong balance sheets and innovative technologies suggests a strategy of prioritizing quality over speculative growth. This selection process underscores a belief that the foundation of solid companies are most likely to succeed in a volatile environment.