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As 2026 begins, major brokerages have released their stock picks for the year. Goldman Sachs, Motilal Oswal, HSBC, and Morgan Stanley expect the Nifty 50 to reach 27,200 by mid-year and climb to 28,500-29,000 by year-end. Here are five stocks that have made multiple brokerages’ lists.
Best Stocks to buy in 2026
1. ICICI Bank
ICICI Bank trades at 17.04 P/E and 2.95 P/B with a 0.81% dividend yield. Motilal Oswal and Goldman Sachs both recommend it.
Why Banks Matter Right Now
The RBI cut rates, which means banks pay less to fund operations. Credit demand should pick up to 11-12% growth in FY26. ICICI has better technology than its rivals for loan approvals and cost management. Its insurance and wealth arms add to profits. When deposit costs fall faster than lending rates adjust downward, banks make more money on each loan. That margin expansion is coming.
2. State Bank of India
SBI trades at 10.54 P/E and 1.63 P/B, much cheaper than ICICI. Axis Securities, Motilal Oswal, and Goldman Sachs all have it on their lists.
The PSU Bank Story
Through 2025, state-owned banks outpaced private banks in lending growth. SBI grew advances 13.1% in FY25, while private banks grew 9%. Government backing means lower funding costs. SBI is winning MSME loans, home loans, and corporate business from private banks. Its cost efficiency keeps improving. At this valuation, the stock looks cheap for a bank taking market share from competitors.
3. Bharti Airtel
Airtel trades at 39.35 P/E and 10.04 P/B. Telecom is a sector pick for 2026, with Airtel the top choice.
Telecom’s Reset
5G spending is nearly done, so capex will drop sharply. That means more cash for dividends and buybacks. After years of price wars, telecom companies are finally raising charges. Average revenue per user is climbing. Broadband and business services are growing faster than mobile. Dividends plus capital gains make this attractive.
4. Titan Company
Titan trades at a high P/E above 50. It shows up on multiple brokerage lists as a consumption play.
Jewelry and Discretionary Spending
GST cuts and RBI rate cuts make jewelry cheaper. Rural spending is picking up from government transfers. Titan is opening more stores and selling online. Jewelry profit margins stopped shrinking. Watches and glasses grow faster and make more money per item. The stock bets on marriage season and city dwellers spending more on luxury goods.
5. Larsen & Toubro
L&T trades at 28.43 P/E and 5.36 P/B with 0.86% dividend yield. Motilal Oswal and Goldman Sachs recommend it.
Infrastructure Spending Cycle
L&T has Rs 19 trillion in projects lined up. It leads in power lines, renewable energy, and defense contracts. The government is spending heavily on roads, rails, and electricity. L&T’s track record and technology give it advantages. Converting its project backlog into revenue and profits is the story for 2026.
What Ties Them Together
Lower interest rates help all five. Rate cuts reduce funding costs for banks and make purchases cheaper for consumers. Government spending fuels infrastructure and manufacturing. All five companies should see earnings grow faster than they have in recent years. The shift is from IT services stocks (which led 2024-2025) to banks, industrial companies, and consumer names. That means picking companies that can actually grow profits, not betting on investors paying more for the same earnings.
Risks exist. Consumer spending could slow if jobs disappear. The rupee could weaken. Global tensions could spike. These stocks can fall sharply if sentiment turns negative. New investors should add positions gradually rather than buy everything at once.
