Artificial intelligence (AI) is closing 2025 as the dominant investment theme in global markets, but the focus heading into the new year is shifting away from the companies that powered the early stages of the rally.
Instead, investor attention is increasingly turning to businesses positioned to convert widespread AI deployment into sustained revenue growth.
To this end, Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives expects 2026 to mark this transition. His outlook centers on companies that benefit from AI adoption across cloud computing, consumer technology, automation, data analytics, and cybersecurity.
Therefore, below are the five AI picks by Ives heading into 2026.
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is viewed as a primary beneficiary of this shift as enterprises expand AI workloads within cloud environments. According to Ives, the growing role of artificial intelligence across Microsoft’s software and infrastructure offerings is expected to strengthen Azure’s growth trajectory, an area that has not yet been fully reflected in market expectations. By press time, MSFT was trading at $487, having rallied over 15% year-to-date.
MSFT YTD stock price chart. Source: FinboldApple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL)
Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) inclusion reflects rising expectations that artificial intelligence will become a more meaningful driver of the company’s ecosystem. As AI capabilities are increasingly embedded across devices and services, the potential for new revenue streams and deeper user engagement has come into sharper focus. At the time of reporting, AAPL shares were trading at $272, having gained about 11% YTD.
AAPL YTD stock price chart. Source: FinboldTesla (NASDAQ: TSLA)
In the third spot, Ives selected electric vehicle stock Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), which is positioned as an AI-driven growth story as autonomous systems and robotics move closer to wider adoption. Notably, the coming year is seen as a period when artificial intelligence begins to materially influence how the market values Tesla, particularly as progress in self-driving technology and automation becomes more visible. Indeed, TSLA shares have rallied in late 2025 to trade at $460 up over 21% YTD.
TSLA YTD stock price chart. Source: FinboldPalantir (NASDAQ: PLTR)
In the fourth spot, Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) has emerged as one of the strongest performers tied to enterprise AI adoption. Demand for its platforms, which enable organizations to operationalize artificial intelligence across complex data environments, drove a sharp re-rating in 2025. Shares have surged 143, trading at $183 as of press time.
PLTR YTD stock price chart. Source: FinboldCrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD)
Finally, CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) rounds out the group as cybersecurity spending increasingly intersects with artificial intelligence. In 2025, CrowdStrike shares have rallied over 36%, trading at $475
CRWD YTD stock price chart. Source: FinboldAs threats grow more sophisticated, demand for AI-enhanced security solutions continues to expand across large organizations.
Featured image via Shutterstock
Source: https://finbold.com/top-wall-street-analyst-picks-5-ai-stocks-for-2026/
