If I Started Investing in 2026, This is What I Would Do

Get the FREE Report of the 10 Best Stocks to Buy in 2026: https://www.marketbeat.com/y/yt948/ If you're new to investing, or feel like you missed the AI growth story already, this one's for you. Today we're laying out a full playbook, six stocks and ETFs to help new investors build a balanced portfolio heading into the rest of 2026. Joining me is MarketBeat's Jeffrey Neal Johnson to break down why the AI story is far from over, how to think about the risk of a potential correction without panicking, and why chasing last year's winners isn't always the right strategy. We cover AMD as a real challenger to Nvidia, GE Vernova and the power buildout behind AI data centers, Amazon's diversified growth beyond retail, and ExxonMobil's position as a more insulated energy play amid geopolitical volatility. We also get into two ETFs every new investor should know about, the iShares Aerospace and Defense ETF for diversified exposure to the defense sector, and the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF for steady, foundational, lower-risk growth. Whether you're just getting started or looking to rebalance your portfolio for the second half of the year, this conversation lays out a clear, practical roadmap. View Bridget's Buys here: https://www.marketbeat.com/bridget 📲 Text 'YouTube' to 68285 for FREE SMS breaking news alerts on top stocks. Chapters: 0:00 Intro – AI Boom & Investing in 2026 1:29 Is There an AI Bubble? 3:26 Stock #1 9:15 Stock #2 12:36 Stock #3 15:52 Stock #4 19:30 Stock #5 23:20 Stock #6 27:30 Portfolio Allocation Strategy 29:05 Final Thoughts & Investing Playbook DISCLAIMER: MarketBeat's videos are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. We are not registered investment advisers, and nothing herein is a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security or strategy. Investing involves risk—including the potential loss of principal—so always perform your own due diligence and consult a licensed professional before acting. All opinions are those of the presenters and may change without notice. Presenters and MarketBeat personnel may own or trade the securities discussed. Past performance is not indicative of future results; any examples or case studies shown are illustrative and not typical. Some links or promotions mentioned may be affiliate partnerships that compensate MarketBeat at no additional cost to you. MarketBeat and its representatives accept no liability for any losses arising from reliance on this content.