5 stocks to Watch: Week of 1/26/2026

Hey, we did your homework for you. Here are some of the top stocks to watch for next week:

• Daktronics (DAKT) is sending not one but TWO screaming Buy signals 
• Las Vegas Sands (LVS) defies industry trends — in a good way 
• NerdWallet (NRDS) amps up engagement 
• Standard Motor Products (SMP) grabs attention as a high-quality value play 
• InfuSystem Holdings (INFU) has nearly 100% upside potential, according to experts

Let's get to it. (And if you missed last week's picks, get them here.)

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1- Standard Motor Products Inc (NYSE: SMP)

This aftermarket automotive replacement parts company is attracting attention as a value play in the automotive aftermarket sector, with analysts highlighting solid net profit margins and growth potential despite a bumpy near-term ride.

Zen Rating: A (Strong Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $39.14 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $49.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Right now, only one analyst we track is issuing a rating — but it’s a Strong Buy. However, forecasts are added frequently — keep track of them here.
• Roth Capital analyst Scott Stember recently reiterated the aforementioned Strong Buy rating with a $49 price target, representing 25% upside potential and maintaining confidence based on the company's positive earnings growth.
• The analyst emphasizes that current market conditions are favorable for SMP, with the CEO expressing confidence in growth potential particularly in expanding automotive sector opportunities and improved operational efficiency expected to drive performance.
• Recent coverage highlights include Standard Motor Products being featured among "4 Auto Stocks Wall Street Analysts Are Bullish About for 2026" and recognition as a top growth stock for long-term investors.
• Industry ranking context: Standard Motor Products is currently the 8th highest-rated stock in the Auto Part industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
• Zen Rating highlights: Strong Buy (A) stocks average +32.52%/yr — SMP benefits from both its operational improvements and the favorable automotive aftermarket dynamics.
• Component Grades: SMP has above-average B grades for Value, Sentiment, and from our Artificial Intelligence factor, indicating a well-rounded and well-priced pick that’s getting seen by Smart Money. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

2- Las Vegas Sands Corp (NYSE: LVS)

This casino operator is positioned to benefit from Macau's gaming recovery and regional tourism rebounds, with earnings due January 28, 2026, expected to provide insights into fourth-quarter performance.

Zen Rating: A (Strong Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $58.95 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $80.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Robust coverage from 12 analysts including 6 Strong Buy ratings, 2 Buy, and 4 Hold reflects optimism about Macau gaming recovery despite recent revenue shortfalls. See the ratings
• Argus Research's John Staszak (top 12%) maintains Strong Buy at $80, the highest target among coverage. Overall analyst commentary suggests confidence in the Macau recovery trajectory.
• Industry ranking context: Las Vegas Sands is currently the #1 highest-rated stock in the Casino industry. You’ll note that it has an Industry Rating of D, but its strong Zen Rating suggests it may be an unusually high-potential pick in a rough industry. 
• Zen Rating highlights: Strong Buy (A) stocks average +32.52%/yr — LVS stands out as the top performer in a challenging sector, benefiting from its premium property portfolio. (Side note: We recently highlighted another high-quality name in the gaming industry — check it out here.)
• Component Grades: Sentiment receives an A grade reflecting strong analyst conviction, with Growth at B and Financials at B showing solid operational fundamentals despite industry headwinds. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

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3- Daktronics (NASDAQ: DAKT)

Electronic display systems maker Daktronics is powering into its next growth phase, leveraging fresh IP acquisitions to expand its MicroLED and MicroIC capabilities ahead of next-gen display launches.

Zen Rating: A (Strong Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $21.69 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $30.00

Why we're watching:

• Stock of the Week alert! DAKT earns our coveted Stock of the Week status, with Zen Investor Editor in Chief Steve Reitmeister noting it has not one, but TWO excellent reasons to buy. See his commentary here. 
• The company recently acquired intellectual property and equipment assets from X Display Company to expand its MicroLED capabilities, strengthening its competitive position in next-generation display technology.
• Industry ranking context: Daktronics is currently the 2nd highest-rated stock in the Electronic Component industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
• Zen Rating highlights: Strong Buy (A) stocks average +32.52%/yr, putting DAKT in a class of stocks that have historically outperformed. 
• Component Grades: DAKT’s Growth grade of A reflects its impressive potential, and Sentiment at B demonstrates Smart Money gives it a thumbs up. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

4- NerdWallet (NASDAQ: NRDS)

The digital finance platform is benefiting from growing user engagement and strong profit margins of 12.2%, with analysts highlighting the company's prudent and resilient business model.

Zen Rating: A (Strong Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $12.89 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $19.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Coverage from 5 analysts includes 3 Strong Buy ratings, 1 Buy, and 1 Hold, with consensus pointing to significant upside potential. See the ratings
• Oppenheimer's Jed Kelly (a top 11% rated analyst) maintains a Buy rating with an $18 price target, expecting NRDS to benefit from growing user engagement and subscription revenue, with the CEO noting strong user growth and retention.
• Truist Securities' Youssef Squali (top 2%) maintains the highest Strong Buy rating with a $19 target, stating "NerdWallet is poised to capture significant market share" and noting that user engagement levels are at all-time highs.
• Morgan Stanley analyst James Faucette (top 15%) holds a more conservative $14 Hold rating, anticipating modest growth given current market conditions while acknowledging long-term potential remains intact.
• Industry ranking context: NerdWallet is currently the #2 highest-rated stock out of 51 in the Internet Content & Information industry, which has an Industry Rating of B.
• Zen Rating highlights: With its A Rating, NRDS has passed our rigorous 115-factor review to land in the top 5% of stocks we track. 
• Component Grades: NRDS earns an exceptional A grade for Financials, demonstrating operational excellence, with healthy profit margins and strong cash flow generation supporting continued growth investments. Sentiment, Value, and our proprietary AI factor are all above-average Bs, meaning that A) Wall Street sees and appreciates the stock, B) It may be excellently priced at the moment, and C) Our AI factor has sifted through mountains of data to detect positive trends and potential, and finds NRDS a top-tier pick. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

InfuSystem Holdings (NYSEMKT: INFU)

InfuSystem Holdings provides health care services specializing in ambulatory infusion pumps for oncology and pain management applications. The company recently received a boost from the NOPAIN Act, which provides separate payment for ambulatory infusion pumps in pain management starting this year. 

Zen Rating: A (Strong Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $8.46 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $15.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: The stock only has 2 ratings from analysts we track, but they’re both Strong Buy ratings, with a max 1-year forecast that suggests over 70% upside potential. See them here. 
• Roth Capital analyst Kyle Bauser (top 21%) recently reiterated his Strong Buy rating with a price target that suggests nearly 60% upside, following Q3 2025 earnings, noting that the company's core Oncology business continues to perform well while management focused on opportunities that improved profitability.
• Bauser highlighted that while they reduced revenue estimates, they increased adjusted EBITDA and EPS estimates slightly, with higher estimates and lower share count from buybacks contributing to their adjusted price target.
• Industry ranking context: INFU is currently the #2 highest-rated stock out of 45 in the Medical industry, which carries a solid B Industry Rating.
• Zen Rating highlights: Strong Buy (A) stocks average +32.52%/yr — a lot higher than the S&P. 
• Component Grades: The stock demonstrates exceptional Momentum (A grade) and Safety (A grade) component ratings, suggesting the price is right and smart money sees strong potential. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

What to Do Next?

• 77 Best Stocks NOW! >
• See All “A” Rated Stocks with +32.52% Average Annual Return >
• 2 New Stocks to Buy from Steve Reitmeister >

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