Microsoft (MSFT), Palantir (PLTR), Apple (AAPL), Tesla (TSLA) and CrowdStrike (CRWD) rank as the top five companies to play in the artificial intelligence space in 2026, besides Nvidia (NVDA), according to Wedbush.
“The Street is underestimating the Azure growth story in our view and the AI-driven shift about to happen in Redmond heading into 2026, making Microsoft one of our favorite large-cap tech names to own over the coming year,” said Wedbush analysts, led by Dan Ives, in a Monday investor note. “While AI use cases built markedly in FY25, it’s clear FY26 for Microsoft remains the true inflection year of AI growth as CIO lines build for deployments.”
As for Palantir, Wedbush finds that it remains on track to develop into a $1T market cap company as the Alex Karp-led software firm continues to make impressive inroads with both government and commercial clients.
Meanwhile, CrowdStrike is expected to benefit from AI as the company’s product suite continues to expand across enterprises over the next year.
“We believe the Street is underestimating the growth potential for CrowdStrike with cybersecurity remaining a second/third derivative beneficiary of the AI Revolution, which speaks to our bullishness,” Ives noted.
As for Tesla, Wedbush expects it to reach a $2T market cap in the months ahead and possibly reach $3T by the end of 2026 in their bull case due to the rise of autonomous automobiles and robotics.
“The AI valuation will start to get unlocked, and we believe the march to an AI driven valuation for TSLA over the next 6-9 months has now begun in our view with FSD and autonomous penetration of Tesla’s installed base and the acceleration of Cybercab in the US representing the golden goose for Musk & Co.,” Ives added.
Finally, Wedbush thinks Apple will be able to capitalize on AI through its installed consumer base comprising more than 2.4B iOS devices and 1.5B iPhones worldwide.
“We believe the AI monetization piece could add $75 to $100 per share to the Apple story over the coming few years as it finally plays out after a head scratching AI strategy this year in Apple Park,” Ives said. “We also believe Tim Cook will remain CEO of Apple through at least the end of 2027 to see Apple through this key AI technology transition in Cupertino.”