Every year the market hands us a few standout opportunities — companies with strong fundamentals, misunderstood narratives, and real long-term upside. As we move into 2026, I’m keeping my focus tight on high-quality businesses with improving numbers and durable growth ahead.
Here are the five best opportunities I see right now and why they stand out heading into the new year.
1. $SOFI — The Fintech Flywheel Is Getting Stronger
SoFi continues to separate itself from the pack. Their lending platform, member growth, product expansion, and banking infrastructure give them a full ecosystem that reduces customer acquisition costs and increases lifetime value.
Why it’s an opportunity:
The execution is consistent, profitability is improving, and the market still isn’t valuing the long-term potential of a modern financial platform.
2. $AMD — The AI Demand Story Is Far From Over
AMD has positioned itself perfectly for the next wave of AI and data-center growth. The MI300 is gaining traction, and the company continues to strengthen its competitive position across multiple silicon categories.
Why it’s an opportunity:
This isn’t a one-cycle story — it’s a decade-long infrastructure buildout. AMD is still early in the AI monetization curve.
3. $PYPL — A Blue-Chip Cash Machine Trading at a Discount
PayPal’s valuation is still disconnected from its cash-flow strength. The business generates real profitability, has a massive global footprint, and remains deeply embedded in digital commerce.
Why it’s an opportunity:
Sentiment is low, fundamentals are strong, and the valuation is pricing in a much weaker business than what PayPal actually is.
4. $OSCR — A Turnaround the Market Hasn’t Priced In Yet
Oscar Health is one of the most misunderstood companies in the market. The business has shifted from high-burn growth to disciplined execution with improving profitability, stabilizing margins, and a stronger balance sheet.
Why it’s an opportunity:
The story changed. The price didn’t. Oscar is being valued like the old version of itself, not the company it is today.
5. $CAKE — A Quiet Value Play With Real Upside
Cheesecake Factory remains deeply undervalued given its brand strength, stable cash generation, and long-term growth levers. It’s one of the rare consumer names that offers value, yield, and upside all in one.
Why it’s an opportunity:
It’s priced like a struggling restaurant chain, but the underlying business is far stronger than the sentiment suggests.
Final Thoughts
These five companies each have different stories — fintech, AI, value, healthcare tech — but they all share the same theme:
Strong fundamentals paired with misunderstood pricing.
If 2025 taught investors anything, it’s that the market still doesn’t efficiently price companies going through successful transitions. That’s where the opportunity lives.
Surmount
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Disclaimer
This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial professional before making investment decisions. Investing involves risk, including the loss of principal.
