Below is a list of the top AI or AI-adjacent stocks that, according to leading analysts and experts, are all set to soar in 2026, after a largely underwhelming performance in 2025.
1. Apple Inc.
While by no means an underdog, tech giant Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has trailed its “Mag 7” peers, tracked by the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (BATS:MAGS) over the past year, with year-to-date gains of just 12.12%, compared with the ETF’s 25.54%.
This was primarily due to it lagging behind its peers in the AI race, along with significant trade and tariff-related headwinds it faced this year.
See Also: Top AI Infrastructure Stocks For 2026 Industrial Super-Cycle
Analyst and Managing Partner at Deepwater Asset Management, Gene Munster, said in his 2026 predictions newsletter earlier this month that the company is poised for a turnaround in 2026, adding that “Apple will be the best performing Mag 7 stock” during the first six months.
Munster attributed this to iPhone sales “exceeding expectations in the December and March quarters,” and to the launch of the new Siri, which he said would occur before April 30 of the following year.
Apple shares score high on Momentum and Quality in Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings, with a favorable price trend in the short, medium and long terms. Click here to see how it compares with its “Mag 7” peers.
2. Adobe Inc.
Despite being a prominent AI play, Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) has underperformed against its AI peers over the past year and is currently down 19.77% year-to-date.
The company is, however, seeing strong traction with its AI tools, such as Firefly, with generative AI credit usage across its product ecosystem jumping 3x over the past quarter.
Analysts at JPMorgan Chase have highlighted the “stickiness” of Adobe’s product ecosystem and reiterated their “Overweight” rating on the stock, with a Price target of $520 per share, representing a 46.97% upside from current ...
