The US stock market is starting the week near record highs, with the S&P 500 around the 6,870–6,880 level and the US500 futures index up about 0.1% as investors look ahead to this week’s Federal Reserve rate decision. [1] Tech shares are again leading early gains, and talk of a potential “Santa Claus rally” is popping up across Wall Street commentary. [2]
Against that backdrop, many investors are asking a familiar question: what are the best stocks to buy now on the US market today, December 8, 2025?
This article pulls together fresh analyst calls, earnings surprises, and new “Strong Buy” ratings from December 8 and the past couple of weeks to highlight 12 widely followed, US‑listed stocks that are getting a lot of bullish attention right now.
⚠️ Important: This is news and education, not personal financial advice. “Best” depends on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Always do your own research or speak with a licensed adviser before investing.
1. Nvidia (NVDA): AI Champion Still “Sold Out”
Nvidia remains at the center of the AI boom, and recent commentary suggests demand is anything but cooling. In its latest earnings release, CEO Jensen Huang said “Blackwell sales are off the charts, and cloud GPUs are sold out,” adding that compute demand for AI continues to accelerate. [3]
A recent Motley Fool piece on Nasdaq highlighted Nvidia as one of three “genius stocks” to buy before 2025 is over, arguing that the company is likely to remain a top pick into 2026 as hyperscalers ramp up AI data‑center spending. [4]
Why investors are watching NVDA now
- Dominant share in AI accelerators and data‑center GPUs.
- Record data‑center revenue and bullish guidance.
- Strong long‑term AI theme, but valuation is rich and the stock is volatile.
Key risk: Competition from AMD and custom chips (from Alphabet, Meta, etc.) plus the possibility that AI expectations cool faster than earnings grow.
2. Alphabet (GOOGL/GOOG): AI + Cloud + New Chip Revenue Streams
That same Nasdaq/Motley Fool analysis named Alphabet alongside Nvidia as a “genius” pick heading into 2026, noting that the company may turn its in‑house TPU AI chips into a new revenue stream if it sells them directly to third parties like Meta rather than only via Google Cloud. [5]
In Q3, Alphabet reported revenue growth of 16% year‑over‑year to about $102 billion and diluted EPS growth of around 35%, underlining how profitable the business remains even at its massive scale. [6]
Why GOOGL is on “best stocks to buy now” lists
- Multiple AI monetization levers: Search, YouTube, Cloud, TPUs.
- Still trading at a forward P/E that’s only modestly above the broader market despite faster growth. [7]
- Strong balance sheet and dominant ad platform.
Key risk: Regulatory pressure in both the US and EU (antitrust and privacy) plus intense AI competition from Microsoft/OpenAI and others.
3. Microsoft (MSFT): High‑Conviction Analyst Favorite
NerdWallet’s December update on the “7 best stocks to buy this month, according to analysts” ranks Microsoft near the top of the S&P 500 by consensus recommendation, with an average rating close to a “Strong Buy” (1.13 on a 1–5 scale). [8]
Microsoft’s stock is trading around $489 per share with a market cap near $3.85 trillion and a P/E ratio of about 36.7, reflecting its premium status as a cloud and AI leader.
Why MSFT is a core “quality growth” candidate
- Azure cloud and Copilot AI products are central to enterprise AI adoption.
- Highly diversified revenue (productivity software, cloud, gaming, LinkedIn).
- Strong free cash flow and a growing dividend.
Key risk: Premium valuation leaves less room for error if cloud or AI growth slows.
4. Amazon (AMZN): E‑Commerce, Cloud, and AI Optionality
That same NerdWallet/Finviz ranking also places Amazon among the top analyst‑rated S&P 500 stocks, with a consensus recommendation just above 1.2 (“Strong Buy” territory). [9]
Amazon shares currently trade around $229, with AWS still the profit engine and new AI services—including generative‑AI offerings on AWS—seen as key to the next leg of growth. [10]
Why AMZN remains on many “best stocks to buy now” lists
- Dominant positions in both US e‑commerce and cloud infrastructure.
- Aggressive push into generative AI tools for businesses.
- Efficiency improvements in logistics and fulfillment support margin expansion.
Key risk: Regulatory scrutiny, particularly around antitrust and labor, plus sensitivity to consumer spending cycles.
5. Cigna Group (CI): Healthcare Value with Fresh “Best Ideas” Status
Healthcare insurer Cigna has been drawing attention as a defensive stock with upside:
- Bank of America recently added CI to its exclusive “US 1 List”, a curated roster of the firm’s top stock ideas. [11]
- TD Cowen reiterated a Buy rating and a $333 price target, describing Cigna as a “Best Ideas 2026” pick, implying roughly 25–30% upside from recent trading levels. [12]
CI is currently around $260 per share, trading on a low‑teens P/E multiple, well below the broader healthcare sector median. [13]
Why income‑oriented and defensive investors are watching CI
- Large, diversified health and pharmacy benefits business.
- Potentially undervalued relative to peers, according to multiple analyst targets.
- Beneficiary of long‑term trends in healthcare spending.
Key risk: Policy and regulatory uncertainty (ACA subsidies, pharmacy benefit scrutiny) can create headline volatility.
6. Visa (V): Payments Giant Upgraded and Tapped as 2026 Top Pick
A Benzinga round‑up of analyst upgrades today highlighted Visa after HSBC raised the stock from Hold to Buy and lifted its price target from $335 to $389. [14]
Separately, recent analysis noted that J.P. Morgan named Visa its top payments pick for 2026, citing strong fundamentals, pricing power, and initiatives in tokenization, stablecoins, and AI‑driven fraud tools. [15]
Visa trades around $328 per share as of this afternoon’s US session.
Why V is on many “best stocks to buy now” radars
- Structural tailwind from the global shift from cash to electronic payments.
- High margins, robust free cash flow, and shareholder‑friendly buybacks/dividends.
- Growing role in digital wallets, cross‑border travel, and embedded finance.
Key risk: Regulatory threats to interchange fees and competition from real‑time payments systems.
7. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): Beauty Retailer in Breakout Mode
Cosmetics retailer Ulta Beauty has had a standout few days:
- Q3 2025 results showed 12.9% net sales growth to about $2.9 billion, with same‑store sales up 6.3% and EPS of $5.14, beating estimates. [16]
- Ulta raised its full‑year guidance, now expecting $12.3 billion in sales and EPS of $25.20–$25.50, up sharply from prior forecasts. [17]
- In response, TD Cowen upgraded ULTA to Buy today and lifted its target to $725, while the stock trades in the high‑$500s (around $586 mid‑session). [18]
Why ULTA is being treated as a top retail idea
- Strong demand for beauty, skincare, and fragrance categories—resilient even in choppy consumer environments.
- Omnichannel strength, with robust e‑commerce growth layered on top of expanding physical stores.
- Margin tailwinds from better shipping costs and lower inventory shrink. [19]
Key risk: Beauty is discretionary; any sharp downturn in consumer spending or intensifying competition from Sephora/department stores could pressure growth.
8. Five Below (FIVE): Discount Retailer with Surging Comps
Deep‑value retailer Five Below is getting love from both analysts and traders:
- Zacks added FIVE to its Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list today, alongside GM and other names. [20]
- In its latest quarter, Five Below reported 23.1% net sales growth and 14.3% comparable‑store sales growth, driven by new stores and increased traffic. [21]
- Earnings crushed expectations, with EPS more than doubling consensus estimates. [22]
FIVE shares trade around $176–$177 mid‑session.
Why growth investors like FIVE here
- Strong store expansion pipeline (1,900+ stores already, with room to grow). [23]
- Value positioning resonates with cost‑conscious consumers in an inflationary environment.
- Raised full‑year guidance signals confidence heading into the holiday quarter. [24]
Key risk: Execution risk on rapid store openings and sensitivity to lower‑income shoppers if job markets weaken.
9. General Motors (GM): Surprise Winner from the “EV Winter”
While several EV‑focused names were downgraded today, General Motors went the other way:
- Morgan Stanley upgraded GM to Overweight from Equal Weight and raised its price target from $54 to $90, citing strong execution and a more favorable mix as the firm expects an extended “EV winter” through 2026. [25]
- GM was also added today to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list. [26]
GM shares are trading just under $76–$77 this afternoon.
Why GM is suddenly on “best stocks to buy now” screens
- Positioned to benefit if consumer demand tilts back toward profitable internal‑combustion trucks and SUVs.
- Improving capital discipline and a stronger balance sheet than during previous cycles. [27]
- Potential upside if the company executes on a more measured EV rollout while returning cash to shareholders.
Key risk: Auto stocks are highly cyclical; a US economic slowdown or renewed EV price war could quickly hit margins.
10. Disc Medicine (IRON): Biotech with Big Data and Fresh Price‑Target Hike
For investors comfortable with smaller, higher‑risk biotech names, Disc Medicine (IRON) has emerged as a notable idea this week:
- TipRanks’ “3 ‘Strong Buy’ Stocks to Buy Today, 12/8/2025” list features IRON, noting that all 12 tracked top analysts rate it a Buy with roughly 23% average upside based on their targets. [28]
- Over the weekend, Disc Medicine presented positive Phase 2 RALLY‑MF data for its anemia treatment DISC‑0974 at the ASH hematology conference, which analysts say could be “game‑changing” for the company’s pipeline. [29]
- Today, Raymond James raised its price target to $117, citing the new trial data. [30]
IRON trades around the mid‑$90s after a strong run in recent weeks. [31]
Why high‑risk growth investors are watching IRON
- Multiple shots on goal in hematology/iron‑restriction diseases.
- Strong early efficacy signals in a difficult‑to‑treat condition (myelofibrosis anemia).
- Heavy “Strong Buy” analyst support and rising targets.
Key risk: This is a clinical‑stage biotech—trial setbacks, dilution, and volatility are all significant possibilities.
11. Bicara Therapeutics (BCAX): Cancer Biotech with Breakthrough Status
Another name from that TipRanks Strong Buy trio is Bicara Therapeutics:
- The article highlights BCAX with an implied upside around 88% based on recent top‑analyst price targets. [32]
- Bicara’s lead drug ficerafusp alfa has FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation in combination with pembrolizumab for first‑line HPV‑negative head and neck cancer. [33]
- Early Phase 1b data show a 57% objective response rate and 83% disease control, guiding dose selection for a pivotal trial. [34]
BCAX has been trading in the high teens ($18–$19) after a string of positive updates. [35]
Why BCAX appeals to speculative biotech investors
- Compelling early efficacy data in a large oncology indication.
- Regulatory tailwind from Breakthrough Therapy status.
- Strong analyst‑modeled upside if pivotal trials succeed.
Key risk: Early‑stage oncology development is risky; large drawdowns are common on any negative data or financing news.
12. HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital (HASI): Clean‑Energy Finance with Growing Institutional Interest
Rounding out the TipRanks list, HASI (HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital) plays in the niche of clean‑energy and climate infrastructure finance:
- TipRanks highlights the stock as a Strong Buy, with top analysts modeling roughly 24% upside from current levels. [36]
- Recent filings show Norges Bank initiating a sizable new stake in HASI, while at least one active manager has trimmed holdings—evidence that the stock is firmly on institutional radars. [37]
- The company focuses on financing renewable and energy‑efficiency projects, positioning it as a “picks and shovels” play on both decarbonization and rising power demand from AI data centers. [38]
HASI recently closed around the low‑$30s after some volatility. [39]
Why income‑plus‑growth investors are interested
- Exposure to long‑dated contracted cash flows from clean‑energy assets.
- Potential beneficiary of policy support for energy transition.
- Analysts see the stock as undervalued after prior rate‑driven sell‑offs.
Key risk: Higher long‑term interest rates or project‑specific credit issues could pressure both earnings and valuation.
How to Use These “Best Stocks to Buy Now” Ideas
Instead of treating any list as a shopping cart, consider this a curated watchlist of names that:
- Have fresh positive catalysts (earnings beats, raised guidance, new analyst upgrades, or trial data).
- Span multiple sectors—AI/tech (NVDA, GOOGL, MSFT, AMZN), healthcare (CI, IRON, BCAX), consumer & payments (V, ULTA, FIVE, GM), and climate infrastructure (HASI).
- Combine defensive and growth profiles so you can tailor picks to your own risk tolerance.
A few practical steps:
- Start with allocation
Decide how much of your portfolio (if any) you actually want in individual stocks versus broad index funds like an S&P 500 ETF. NerdWallet and many advisors still recommend index funds as a core holding, with only a slice of the portfolio in single‑stock ideas. [40] - Dig into fundamentals
For each stock you’re interested in, read the latest 10‑K/10‑Q, earnings call transcript, and investor presentation. The articles cited here are great starting points but not a substitute for primary documents. - Check valuation and time horizon
High‑growth names like NVDA, IRON, or BCAX can swing wildly. They may suit long‑term, higher‑risk capital, while steadier names like CI, V, or HASI might fit income or defensive buckets. - Diversify and size positions carefully
Small biotechs or niche finance stocks shouldn’t dominate a portfolio. Consider position sizing so that one setback doesn’t derail your broader plan.
Final word
Today’s US market backdrop—indexes near records, a looming Fed decision, and relentless AI enthusiasm—creates fertile ground for both opportunity and risk. The 12 stocks above are currently in Wall Street’s good graces, but markets move fast, and sentiment can flip quickly.
Use these names as research starting points, not automatic buys. If they still look compelling after you’ve checked the numbers, read the filings, and thought about your own goals, then they may earn a place on your personal “best stocks to buy now” list.
References
1. tradingeconomics.com, 2. www.nasdaq.com, 3. investor.nvidia.com, 4. www.nasdaq.com, 5. www.nasdaq.com, 6. www.nasdaq.com, 7. ycharts.com, 8. www.nerdwallet.com, 9. www.nerdwallet.com, 10. www.nasdaq.com, 11. www.gurufocus.com, 12. www.investing.com, 13. www.investing.com, 14. www.benzinga.com, 15. simplywall.st, 16. www.reuters.com, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. www.benzinga.com, 19. www.reuters.com, 20. www.zacks.com, 21. investor.fivebelow.com, 22. www.investing.com, 23. investor.fivebelow.com, 24. www.nasdaq.com, 25. www.barrons.com, 26. www.zacks.com, 27. www.tipranks.com, 28. www.tipranks.com, 29. simplywall.st, 30. in.investing.com, 31. stockanalysis.com, 32. www.tipranks.com, 33. www.globenewswire.com, 34. www.stocktitan.net, 35. stockanalysis.com, 36. www.tipranks.com, 37. www.marketbeat.com, 38. stockanalysis.com, 39. stockanalysis.com, 40. www.nerdwallet.com
