Which stocks are worth investing in for 2026?

Original Reddit post

The author identifies GOOG, VRT, and VRTX as 2026 stock picks based on AI cash-flow monetization, data-center power and cooling infrastructure, and stable healthcare moats while avoiding pure hardware hype.

GOOG — LONG The author argues Alphabet will outperform because Gemini 3.0 integration and Google Cloud growth demonstrate AI monetization. Workspace AI Agent monetization is expected to be a 2026 surprise, and relative cheapness versus Microsoft or Nvidia supports upside.

With Gemini 3.0's deep integration and Google Cloud's growth outpacing peers, they've proven the skeptics wrong. Their AI Agent monetization within Workspace will be this year's big surprise. Crucially, compared to Microsoft or Nvidia, Google remains relatively “cheaply” valued.

VRT — LONG The author sees Vertiv as a leading power-grid and cooling supplier for AI data centers. Continued tech-giant infrastructure spending will drive profits regardless of which AI model wins, making it a shovel business. The timeframe is 2026.

If 2024-2025 was the year of chips, then 2026 is the year of power grids. Every data center built today requires top tier cooling and power management, and Vertiv is the undisputed leader in this space. As long as tech giants keep pouring hundreds of billions into infrastructure, VRT will keep raking in profits. This is a classic “shovel business” no matter which AI model wins, they'll need its liquid cooling tech.

VRTX — LONG The author views Vertex as a defensive growth stock with a cystic fibrosis drug facing little competition and a CRISPR pipeline entering harvest mode. Its moat and economic resilience can stabilize portfolios during tech volatility in 2026.

Their cystic fibrosis drug faces virtually no competition, and their CRISPR gene editing pipeline is entering harvest mode. In years of heightened tech stock volatility, growth stocks like VRTX with deep moats and resilience to economic cycles can significantly stabilize portfolios.