The Best Stocks in the Market
This column, led by Josh and Sean from Ritholtz Wealth Management, dives into top-performing stocks. Although there are certainly undervalued stocks out there, the focus here is on those with strong buying interest and a favorable technical setup. Over the past several months, our insights have proved reliable. Some stocks didn’t follow through on our expectations and were removed from the list, while others initially stumbled but bounced back. A handful have managed to thrive amidst market fluctuations, demonstrating that risk can be worth taking.
Today, we’re looking into two key stocks again and will provide updates on their recent performances. Our firm is also preparing to launch a wealth management strategy based on our stock research, with CNBC Pro subscribers getting the first chance to access it. If you’re interested, you can email us with a request to join the waitlist.
Turning now to the stocks themselves, we find KLA Corp (KLAC) and Lam Research (LRCX) to be noteworthy mentions. As of April 13, the “Best Stocks in the Market” list comprises 176 companies, with semiconductors leading in terms of interest.
KLA Corp (KLAC)
We first highlighted KLA Corp and Lam Research at the start of 2026. KLA has shown impressive growth, with its stock price climbing 56% in 2023, followed by gains of 9% in 2024 and 94% in 2025. Many investors might feel tempted to cash in their profits when stocks reach new highs. Conversely, if they missed these gains, they often seek out lesser-performing stocks instead. We aim to challenge this mindset.
KLA has recently regained its peak levels, posting another 42% rise year-to-date. The company specializes in semiconductor manufacturing tools that help detect flaws and optimize production yields. The latest guidance suggests a gross margin of 61.75%. Management characterizes 2026 as a transitional year in terms of revenue and margins.
There’s an interesting dynamic happening here. KLA has gone through a consolidation phase, which allowed it to reset and shake out weaker investors. It’s now pushing back towards highs near $1,737 and navigating the remaining supply from a previous downturn. For traders, a crucial level to watch is $1,500. If it dips below this, caution is advised. Investors should look at the deeper support around $1,194. Until then, it remains a leading stock poised for new highs.
Lam Research Corp (LRCX)
Lam Research has had a stellar run too, with a staggering 139% gain by the end of 2025 and an additional 51% rise so far this year. Specializing in wafer fabrication equipment for semiconductor production, LRCX aims to double its sales and profits within five years, with anticipated growth across all sectors in 2026. They’ve expanded their manufacturing capacity and introduced advanced automation in their warehouses.
A notable backstory is that Lam Research attempted to acquire KLA for $10.6 billion in 2015, a deal eventually scrapped due to antitrust worries. At that time, LRCX had a market cap of $12 billion, compared to KLAC’s $10 billion market cap. Fast forward to today, LRCX’s market cap stands at $329 billion, trading over 20x, while KLAC is at $227 billion, also trading at 20x.
Lam Research, similar to KLA, has experienced significant consolidation, maintaining trends and regaining momentum. The RSI indicates it’s trending upwards, suggesting there’s still potential for growth rather than exhaustion. Moving forward, traders should monitor the $225-$230 territory; falling below this could be problematic. For long-term investors, $200 is a key support level to watch—breaching this might alter the upward trend. Until then, LRCX appears to be well-positioned for further increases.
As always, individual circumstances vary, so it’s crucial to consult with a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
