BigTech laggards, economically sensitive names and automation plays are among those that have considerable room to run this year, Hightower Advisors chief investment strategist Stephanie Link said Friday. The investor said Meta and Amazon , rail giant Union Pacific and Rockwell Automation are among the best stocks to bet on in 2026, particularly as fiscal policies such as the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts bolster the U.S. economy. “I think 2026 sets up well,” Link said Friday in a CNBC “Squawk Box” interview. “We could see an acceleration in the economy, not only from the consumer, which has been resilient … [but from] more fiscal policies coming into place with the One Big, Beautiful bill, which will help not only the consumer but corporations.” Rising deregulation at the federal level as well as bank loans may also stimulate the economy, and in turn, the stock market, Link said. And with stocks likely to go higher, there are several undervalued names traders can invest in to chase gains. These are some of Link’s stock picks for 2026. Tech Laggards Meta and Amazon are two names that could gain ground this year, according to Link. Meta is trading about 17% off its high, making it a good buy for savvy investors, Link said. She highlighted top and bottom-line growth for the company, even as moves forward with costly artificial intelligence-driven initiatives that have put off some investors. Link said the firm’s earnings could come in at $38 per share by 2027. “If they just show better results in the face of big spend, that, to me, at this valuation, is very attractive,” Link said. Amazon is another “Magnificent Seven” name that is trading at a discount, according to the CIO. The stock is trading at 13 or 14 times EBITDA, although it usually trades at 18 times. However, Amazon Web Services’ business accelerated last quarter — a trend that will likely continue in 2026, according to Link. Amazon is also putting up 11% comparables in retail, while its international sales are beginning to improve, she noted. “Maybe it doesn’t get back there, but I do think that there, it’s very attractive, and I do think they will continue to see better profitability,” Link said. “That’s what we’ve been wanting all along with the growth story. Meta is down about 11% over the past three months, while Amazon was up just 1.3% during the period. Economically sensitive stocks Rail transit stocks, including Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern , are good additions to investors’ portfolios as the economy is poised to pick up, according to Link. She likes Union Pacific, citing its rising volumes and services as well as its margins that have risen 500-basis points over the past two years. “That speaks to execution, and this in the face of a rail recession,” Link said. The expected approval of Union Pacific’s proposed merger with Norfolk is also likely to boost the stock. “I think [the deal] will get approval, but I don’t think you need it for the stock to work over the long term,” Link said. “But if they do get it, they’re talking about three billion in synergies.” Union Pacific is roughly flat over the past year. Automation play Rockwell Automation is another name to own this year, per Link. “You definitely want to own automation,” she said. “That is in the early innings.” Firms like Rockwell are poised to see bigger returns as demand for automated, integrated manufacturing soars alongside the AI boom, according to the executive. Shares have jumped 13% over the past three months.
