Stocks To Buy And Watch: Top IPOs, Big And Small Caps, Growth Stocks

Dec 24, 2025 11:49:00 -0500 by IBD STAFF

With thousands of publicly-traded companies to choose from, how can you quickly find the best growth stocks to buy and watch right now?

A good starting point for identifying the best stocks to watch would be to use the IBD Stock Checkup tool to find top-rated equities, including the IBD 50 list of leading growth stocks, IPO Leaders, IBD Big Cap 20, IBD Sector Leaders, and Stock Spotlight. (Scroll down to see which names are currently on these screens.)

In addition to pass or fail ratings for the most important stock-picking criteria, within these lists you’ll also find chart analysis that identifies stocks currently in or near a buy zone. And don’t forget the IBD Stock Screener.

Be sure to also check the IBD Stock Of The Day and IBD 50 Stocks To Watch columns to help build your watchlist. Every Monday, be sure to also check out our weekly column on How To Find The Best Stocks To Buy and a new Breakout Stocks story every Wednesday. And finally, read The Big Picture every day to stay in sync with the market direction and leading stocks and sectors.

Track The Best Stocks To Watch

IBD Long-Term Leaders

Microsoft Will ‘Prove Doubters Wrong’ In 2026 With AI-Fueled GrowthMicrosoft received some reassuring analyst reports this week as the software giant faces skepticism about its heavy investments in artificial intelligence. Microsoft stock rose a fraction on Wednesday. Wall Street is underestimating… Read More

Click and scroll to see IBD Long-Term Leaders list

IBD 50

Gold, Silver Stocks Dominate Elite List Of Growth Names With Metals Prices Set For Banner YearGold, silver, and copper prices are marking a banner year with record highs, and with that comes heavy representation of precious metal stocks on the elite IBD 50 list as trading in 2025 races to its end. There are 20 mining names currently on the IBD 50 list, a relatively massive 40% share of the… Read More

Click and scroll to see IBD 50 list

IBD Sector Leaders

Dominant China Hotel Stock Nears Buy Point After Racing 58% HigherChina stock Atour Lifestyle is trading near all-time highs after the hotelier reported better-than-expected quarterly results in late November. The stock has been consolidating for a few weeks, and a new entry has emerged. The IBD Sector Leaders company ranks No. 1 in the Investor’s Business Daily Leisure-Lodging group. Atour Lifestyle reported it had 1,948 hotels… Read More

Click and scroll to see IBD Sector Leaders list

New Highs

Stocks At New Highs: Industrials Allient, Wabtec And A Health Care Name Trade In Or Near Buy ZonesIn a mixed week for major indexes, stocks were rounding off Friday with two industrial sector companies, Allient and Wabtec, hitting new highs along with health technology company Penumbra. The final full… Read More

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Stock Spotlight

Psst! This Stealth AI Stock Eyes Entry Amid Powerful Run As Earnings Surge 75%There are more ways to play the artificial intelligence space than buying Nvidia or Micron Technology. Indeed, Primoris Services is a stealth AI stock that is eyeing a fresh entry amid robust earnings growth. The Dallas-based company provides maintenance services for power plants and refineries. While it is an engineering and construction firm, it is… Read More

Click and scroll to see Stock Spotlight list

IPO Leaders

IPO Stock Of The Week: Insurance Software Leader Exzeo Approaches First Buy PointInsurance software play Exzeo, a recent initial public offering, is approaching its first buy point this week, amid the stock market volatility. As a result, Exzeo is the IPO Stock Of The Week to watch from Investor’s Business Daily’s IPO Leaders screen. Exzeo offers an insurance-as-a-service platform to property and casualty insurers, with a strong… Read More

Click and scroll to see IPO Leaders list

IBD Big Cap 20

This Medical Robotics Name Wins FDA Greenlight; Its Stock Nears A Buy PointMedical robotics stock Intuitive Surgical appears stuck and needs a push as it continues to trade just below an alternate entry. The medical equipment maker is known for its groundbreaking da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical system. The IBD Big Cap 20 name expanded its use of the medical system after winning approval from the U.S. Food… Read More

Click and scroll to see IBD Big Cap 20 list

Tech Leaders

AI Chip King Taiwan Semiconductor Leads Quartet Of New Names Onto IBD Best Stock ListsGold — which has been a dominant market theme this year — took a holiday on Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, AI and medical stocks, two other hot sectors, populated IBD best stock lists… Read More

Click to see more Tech Leaders

Stocks Near A Buy Zone

Dow Jones Tech Giant Apple, AppLovin, Palantir, Tesla In Buy ZonesAs the Dow Jones Industrial Average and other stock indexes moved higher midday Tuesday, Apple, AppLovin, Palantir Technologies, and Tesla were among the best names to watch in the current market. With key indexes near their all-time highs, investors await new breakouts using The IBD Methodology. It’s also important to raise and lower exposure methodically,… Read More

Click to see more Stocks Near A Buy ZoneMore Stock Lists

• Relative Strength Line At New High
• Rising Profit Estimates
• Stocks That Funds Are Buying
• Your Weekly Review

Find The Best Stocks To Buy Or Watch With A Simple Investing Routine

Individual stocks don’t operate in a vacuum. They’re significantly impacted by the current trends within the general market.

To stay both profitable and protected, be sure to follow an investing routine that tracks both the fundamental and technical strength of the stock and existing market conditions. That combination is key to long-term investing success.

See How To Use A Simple 3-Step Investing Routine

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