• Wedbush analyst Dan Ives highlights Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL), Tesla (TSLA), Palantir (PLTR), and CrowdStrike (CRWD) as top AI stock picks for 2026, focusing on derivative beneficiaries of AI infrastructure spending.
  • Ives argues that every dollar spent on Nvidia chips drives an $8-$10 multiplier across other technology companies, positioning these firms to benefit most in the next phase of the AI cycle.
  • Recent stock performances underscore investor optimism, with Palantir leading gains at up 143.5% in 2025, while Nvidia is excluded as Ives shifts focus to broader ecosystem players.

In a Dec 30, 2025 CNBC interview, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives reiterated his bullish stance on artificial intelligence, naming Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL), Tesla (TSLA), Palantir (PLTR), and CrowdStrike (CRWD) as his top picks for 2026. Ives emphasized that these companies are poised to capitalize on the next wave of AI deployment, moving beyond the initial chip-driven rally led by Nvidia. According to people familiar with the matter, Ives' analysis hinges on an $8-$10 multiplier effect, where each dollar invested in Nvidia's hardware translates into significant spending across cloud, cybersecurity, and autonomous technologies.

Microsoft, with shares up 15.6% in 2025, is seen as a key player due to underestimated growth in its Azure cloud platform, which integrates AI tools like Copilot. Apple, up 9.3%, could see an acceleration in AI features through Apple Intelligence, potentially adding $75-$100 per share over time. Ives noted in the interview that "the AI revolution is entering a new phase," with these firms leveraging infrastructure investments to drive sustained gains. Efforts to reach Wedbush for additional comment were not immediately successful.

Tesla's stock, up 13.8%, is expected to break out in 2026 as autonomous driving and robotics initiatives, such as the Optimus robot, gain traction. Palantir, skyrocketing 143.5%, is viewed as a potential trillion-dollar market cap contender, thanks to its AI-driven data analytics platforms like Foundry and AIP. CrowdStrike, up 39.1%, benefits from growing enterprise adoption of its Falcon platform for AI-powered threat detection. Ives pointed to cybersecurity as a subsector projected to lead gains, with CrowdStrike at the forefront.

Market data from late 2025 shows a shift in AI spending from chips to deployment, boosting demand for cloud services and infrastructure. This trend aligns with Ives' focus on derivative beneficiaries, as global AI infrastructure markets surge amid expansions by hyperscalers. In a slightly more conversational tone, one investor remarked, "It's about catching the wave after the initial splash—these picks reflect where the real money will flow." Ives also highlighted Nebius (NBIS) (NBIS) as an under-the-radar infrastructure pick, with shares up 225% year-to-date and Q3 revenue soaring 355% year-over-year, making it a potential buyout target for major tech firms.

Looking ahead, short-term developments include Apple's partnership with Google Gemini, which could push Apple toward a $5 trillion market cap, and Tesla's planned Robotaxi rollout in 30 cities by 2026. Long-term, Ives predicts sustained AI multiplier effects will drive 2026 gains, with cybersecurity firms like CrowdStrike leading the charge. The exclusion of Nvidia from his top picks underscores a strategic pivot, as competition for deals intensifies and the ecosystem matures. As of now, no corrections or updates are needed, but market watchers should monitor these stocks closely for any shifts in the evolving AI landscape.