Top 2 Stocks to Buy for 2026 and Beyond: Apple and Berkshire Hathaway

In the search for reliable long-term investments heading into 2026, two names consistently rise to the top of my list: Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B) (NYSE: BRK.A). These stocks offer complementary strengths—cutting-edge technology growth paired with financial resilience and optionality—making them ideal core holdings for diversified portfolios.

Apple: Accelerating Momentum in a Mature Giant

(Sources: X)

Apple capped 2025 with impressive results, posting 8% year-over-year revenue growth in its fiscal Q4 (ended September 27). The standout was its high-margin services segment, which surged 15%—outpacing the full-year rate of 13.5% and signaling building momentum.

Fiscal 2025 revenue reached $416 billion, driving double-digit EPS growth and a new all-time high in active devices across all categories and geographies.

Management guided for 10–12% revenue growth in the critical holiday quarter, fueled by a strong iPhone upgrade cycle and continued services expansion.

Apple’s massive free cash flow and net cash balance sheet enabled $90.7 billion in share repurchases during the year—directly boosting shareholder value.

Trading at ~33x forward earnings, the valuation reflects growth expectations. With AI integration across products, services strength, and a loyal installed base, Apple remains a premier growth compounder in tech.

Berkshire Hathaway: The Ultimate Financial Anchor

(Sources: US news)

Berkshire Hathaway offers a contrasting but complementary profile: a conservatively valued stock (~1.6x book value) backed by over $350 billion in cash, equivalents, and short-term Treasuries.

This war chest provides unparalleled flexibility to deploy capital opportunistically during market weakness.

The underlying business is highly diversified—spanning insurance, railroads, energy, and dozens of subsidiaries—generating resilient earnings even in challenging environments.

Unlike Apple’s concentrated iPhone exposure (>50% of revenue), Berkshire spreads risk across sectors, creating a natural hedge.

Why These Two Pair Perfectly

Apple delivers exposure to innovation, recurring services revenue, and ecosystem lock-in—ideal for capturing technology’s long-term upside.

Berkshire provides stability, cash firepower, and broad economic participation—acting as a portfolio anchor during volatility.

Together, they balance growth potential with defensive qualities, reducing single-sector or single-company risk.

Risks to Consider

Apple faces iPhone dependency, geopolitical exposure (especially China), and high valuation sensitivity to execution misses.

Berkshire’s transition post-Warren Buffett (Greg Abel taking CEO reins) introduces leadership risk, while its massive cash pile demands productive deployment to justify opportunity cost.

Both remain vulnerable to broader market drawdowns, though their quality often shines in recoveries.

Final Verdict: Core Holdings for 2026 and Beyond

Among the best stocks to buy now for long-term investors, Apple and Berkshire Hathaway stand out for their proven execution, financial strength, and complementary profiles.

Apple for those seeking technology-driven growth; Berkshire for capital preservation and opportunistic flexibility.

A balanced allocation to both could provide resilience and upside as markets navigate 2026 uncertainties.

FAQs

Why choose Apple over other tech giants? Apple’s unmatched ecosystem, services momentum, and capital return program offer a rare blend of growth and shareholder friendliness at scale.

Is Berkshire still attractive post-Buffett? Yes—its diversified earnings, massive liquidity, and Greg Abel’s proven track record maintain its defensive appeal.

How much should I allocate to each? A common approach: 10–20% to Apple for growth exposure, 10–15% to Berkshire for stability—adjusted for individual risk tolerance.

Are these suitable for conservative investors? Berkshire yes (low volatility, cash buffer); Apple moderately (higher growth but quality moat).

What catalysts could drive outperformance in 2026? For Apple: AI features, strong iPhone cycle. For Berkshire: opportunistic deployments during weakness.