As markets wobble after a powerful run-up, worries about stretched valuations, a potential AI bubble and an uncertain economic outlook have dominated the headlines. Against that backdrop, it’s helpful to know which stocks the world’s top investment professionals actually want to own right now.
To answer that, we were joined on the Ticker Take YouTube channel by Jordan Novak, Managing Partner at Brendan Wood International (BWI). Brendan Wood has long been known for its painstaking, old‑school approach of finding out what the smart money is doing.
BWI’s “Top Gun” portfolio consists of roughly two dozen stocks (out of a pool of roughly 1,400 companies) that stand out as best-in-class, based on more than 2,000 interviews with global institutional investors across the globe.
Most importantly, this list identifies stocks that world-class investors feel very comfortable holding for at least the next 12 months.
Here are nine of the largest holdings within that “Top Gun” portfolio.
Nvidia (NVDA)
Few stocks have defined the AI era like Nvidia. The company’s explosive growth has sparked debate about whether the rally can continue, but top global investors and most analysts remain firmly behind the story. According to BWI interviews, Nvidia continues to screen as one of the highest-quality compounders, supported by AI demand that remains well ahead of supply.
Broadcom (AVGO)
Broadcom has posted extraordinary returns while expanding its reach well beyond semiconductors. Investors surveyed by BWI see Broadcom as one of the most durable enablers of AI adoption, with strong visibility into earnings and consistent execution.
Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM)
TSMC, the global leader in advanced chip manufacturing, remains one of the most recommended stocks on the street. The sentiment is similar among top investors. BWI’s work suggests professionals continue to view the company as a strategic linchpin of the AI hardware ecosystem, with demand outpacing capacity.
Microsoft (MSFT)
Microsoft’s multi-year rally has not dented confidence. More than 95 per cent of analysts rate the stock positively, and BWI finds that top investors echo that view. The company’s position at the centre of enterprise AI adoption continues to drive conviction that the stock can grind higher over the next year.
Alphabet (GOOG)
A year ago, many investors described Alphabet as underappreciated. The stock has since delivered stronger performance than some of its mega-cap peers. BWI research shows investors remain constructive on the company’s cash generation, AI capabilities and continued strength across search, YouTube and cloud services.
Royal Bank of Canada (RY)
In banking, Canada’s largest lender stands out. RBC’s stock, which has been steadily climbing, continues to receive support from more than three quarters of the analysts who track it. Top investors interviewed by BWI view the name as one of the higher-quality financials in North America, with stable leadership and durable profitability.
JPMorgan Chase (JPM)
Global investors continue to regard JPMorgan as the benchmark for banking quality. Strong balance sheet positioning and market leadership remain central to investor conviction.
Welltower (WELL)
With aging population themes gaining interest, Welltower has been a recurring favourite on Ticker Take. The stock has rallied meaningfully, yet according to BWI conversations, investors still view the real estate operator as a compelling way to play demographic tailwinds and healthcare infrastructure demand.
HCA Healthcare (HCA)
Rounding out the list is HCA, a major U.S. hospital operator that has been on an impressive run. BWI research indicates investors remain confident in HCA’s ability to deliver steady earnings growth, supported by strong demand for healthcare services and efficient operational management.
The Ticker Take?
While the broader market debates bubbles, interest-rates and macro headwinds, Brendan Wood’s findings show a different pattern. The world’s top investors are concentrating on companies with durable leadership, strong balance sheets and exposure to structural growth themes such as AI and aging demographics. The smart money is looking beyond the headlines and betting on quality stocks for the year ahead.
Jon Erlichman is a BNN Bloomberg contributor and the host of Ticker Take on YouTube.