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The S&P 500 is currently valued at its second-highest level ever.
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It’s generally advised not to try timing the market, as this often leads to missed opportunities.
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That said, having a few blue-chip stocks in mind to acquire if the market dips can be beneficial.
Right now, the stock market isn’t exactly budget-friendly. According to my colleague Sean Williams, the benchmark S&P 500 is trading at a valuation that hasn’t been seen in history since 1871.
Trying to time stock market fluctuations is nearly impossible. Investors who sit on the sidelines, just waiting for a drop, might miss considerable gains. Basically, there’s never a “perfect” time to invest, especially if you’re planning on holding for at least five years. This long-term strategy helps you ignore the market’s noise and boosts your chances of seeing a positive return.
Nonetheless, it’s smart to consider a few blue-chip stocks to add to your portfolio if the market shoots up. Here are three I’d consider picking up if there’s a crash in 2026.
Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) is currently the world’s largest company with a market cap of $4.6 trillion. This fiscal year, which ends soon, is projected to bring in record earnings, driven by soaring demand for advanced data center chips that are crucial for AI applications.
Looking ahead to fiscal 2027, Wall Street estimates Nvidia’s revenue could rise to $319 billion, with the data center segment expected to contribute about 90% of that revenue.
Later this year, Nvidia is set to unveil a new series of AI GPUs based on the Rubin architecture. These could be up to 3.3 times more powerful than their current offerings, greatly enhancing capabilities for advanced AI models.
As I type this, Nvidia’s stock appears fairly priced. Its price-to-earnings ratio stands at 46.7, which is beneath its 10-year average, yet still higher than the S&P 500’s P/E ratio. Thus, if Nvidia faces a broader market decline, I might consider purchasing shares.
CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) ranks among the largest cybersecurity firms globally. Its Falcon platform offers a comprehensive solution designed to protect everything from cloud networks to endpoint devices, potentially saving businesses considerable amounts by consolidating their security needs.
In its recent fiscal quarter, CrowdStrike reported an annual recurring revenue of $4.9 billion, with aspirations to double that over the next several years. This could become a noteworthy growth narrative, especially as demand for cybersecurity continues to rise.
However, CrowdStrike’s stock tends to be pricey. Its current price/sales ratio is around 24.7, which is notably higher than its closest competitor. This could present significant risk if the market drops or if its financial results miss expectations.
For now, I’m not purchasing the stock but will keep an eye out for better buying opportunities.
Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: Meta), which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—used by billions daily—mostly makes its money off advertising on these platforms, having recently utilized AI to enhance user engagement and monetization.
Meta is also advancing the development of its open-source Llama language model, which supports its AI chatbot—this has already made strides with over a billion monthly active users since its release.
There are indications that Meta spent over $70 billion on AI infrastructure last year. The outcomes will be revealed soon, but these investments are aimed at keeping its services competitive against other tech giants.
Currently, Meta’s stock is down about 17% from its peak, and it’s among the more affordable options in the elite group of stocks, but I still prefer to wait for an even better entry point, understanding that I might miss out altogether.
Before considering Nvidia, it’s worth noting that our analysts have pinpointed ten other stocks that they believe could yield impressive results in the coming years—Nvidia is not among them.
There’s a history of substantial returns tied to various stocks, and while timing can be tricky, staying informed may present better opportunities down the line.
