The new year brings with it a highly anticipated tradition in the investing world: Steven Cress’s unveiling of Seeking Alpha’s Top 10 Stocks for 2026. This annual event draws significant attention from both retail and institutional investors, thanks to its consistent track record of market outperformance.
The 2026 edition of the list will be revealed during a live virtual event on January 6, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM ET.
🌟 Get access to the event here
A Proven Track Record of Outperformance
Steven Cress, Seeking Alpha’s VP of Quantitative Strategy, has built a reputation for delivering high-conviction stock recommendations that materially outperform major indices. His Top 10 picks have become a reference point for performance-driven investors:
- 2023 list: +184% since inception
- 2024 list: +324% vs. S&P 500’s +47%
- 2025 list: Already up over 50%, while the S&P 500 returned 16.94% during the same period
These numbers underscore the value of a structured, data-centric selection process rooted in quantitative analysis.
2026 Market Context: Tailwinds and Trends
The 2026 stock picks arrive at a pivotal moment. Following three straight years of gains, Wall Street remains buoyant, bolstered by:
- Continued expansion in artificial intelligence and technology innovation
- Ongoing fiscal stimulus
- Persistent inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainty
Despite these challenges, the market has shown resilience, and analysts suggest the current bull market may extend into a fourth year. This backdrop adds weight to the importance of carefully curated stock ideas based on objective data, which is precisely what the Quant system delivers.
Quant Ratings: A Data-Driven Framework
At the core of the stock selection process is Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating system. Developed by Steven Cress and his team, the system evaluates nearly every U.S.-listed security using five critical factors:
- Value
- Growth
- Profitability
- Momentum
- Earnings Revisions
This adaptive, algorithmic model provides each stock with a composite grade, identifying the strongest opportunities across market cycles. The “Quantamental” approach blends machine learning with fundamental investing, offering a reliable framework for surfacing high-probability trades and long-term investment ideas.
What to Expect From the Event
During the January 6 event, Steven Cress will:
- Recap the performance of the 2025 Top 10 Stocks
- Introduce the new Top 10 Stocks for 2026, complete with rationale and supporting quant metrics
- Discuss macro and sector-level insights that shaped the final selection
The session will be hosted by Daniel Snyder, Producer & Host of Seeking Alpha’s Webinar Series. Known for his clarity and investing acumen, Snyder will guide the discussion to extract valuable insights in a time-efficient format.
How to Access the Event
Access is available to all Premium, Alpha Picks, PRO, and Investing Group subscribers. New users can join with a 7-day Premium trial for just $4.95 for the first month.
During the promotional period running from December 16 to January 13, subscribers can also access exclusive 10% discounts on the following:
- Premium ($269/year after trial) – Claim 10% off
- Alpha Picks ($449/year) – Claim 10% off
- Premium + Alpha Picks Bundle ($689/year) – Claim 10% off
- PRO ($2,149/year after paid trial) – Claim 10% off
A paywalled article and on-demand replay will be available on January 7 for all paid subscribers.
About Steven Cress
Steven Cress brings over three decades of experience in equity research, portfolio management, and quantitative strategy. Prior to joining Seeking Alpha, he was the Founder and CEO of CressCap Investment Research and previously ran a proprietary trading desk at Morgan Stanley. His expertise lies in removing emotional bias from investing through quantitative rigor, building systems that help investors make informed, timely decisions.
Cress is also the co-manager of Alpha Picks, a systematic recommendation service focused on constructing high-quality, long-term portfolios using the same quantitative infrastructure behind the annual Top 10 Stocks list.
