Investor Dan Niles listed Cisco Methods and Apple as amongst his prime inventory picks heading into 2026. The founder and portfolio supervisor at Niles Funding Administration joined CNBC’s “Cash Movers” on Wednesday to share his prime 5 inventory picks for the brand new yr. Niles highlighted Cisco as the one repeat inventory from final yr’s record of favorites. Niles applauded the inventory as a manner for buyers to “hold using the AI wave.” He added that AI-adjacent income from the large hyperscalers has boosted Cisco’s revenues from 1% development on common for 5 years as much as 5% for the fiscal 2025 yr. Niles thinks this development might speed up to the excessive single digits. “They have these new merchandise with silicon — one popping out — that ought to assist them to take part on this rising AI infrastructure construct, as a result of you are going to must community these AI information facilities collectively. And firms — as that AI information begins to move — are going to want to begin upgrading their networks,” he mentioned. Cisco shares are up greater than 30% in 2025. Niles additionally pointed to “Magnificent Seven” titan Apple as considered one of his prime picks. He cited the iPhone maker’s type issue modifications, alongside an AI-powered Siri, as drivers going ahead. “I can have a foldable cellphone, which is AI enabled, and them being a number of years late on AI may very well develop into an excellent factor as a result of they will benefit from a few of these extra marginal gamers that will want to essentially work with them,” Niles mentioned. Apple had a lackluster 2025, rising 9% for the yr whereas the S & P 500 superior round 17%. .SPX AAPL YTD mountain AAPL in 2025 vs SPX Different prime picks included Impinj , which producers radio-frequency identification gadgets, or RFIDs. Meals sellers similar to Kroger and Walmart are starting to undertake this expertise, representing a large alternative. “Attire is the principle marketplace for RFID chips at this time, that is about 80 billion models a yr. Marketplace for meals, you are speaking over a trillion,” Niles mentioned. Niles additionally listed Boeing as a prime inventory decide. He highlighted the plane producer’s rising backlog of orders, presently valued at $600 billion. Different secular tail winds embody rising protection spending, similar to stemming from the proposed Golden Dome missile protection mission. Niles singled out Nike as effectively. The attire large rose 5% on Wednesday after insiders disclosed inventory purchases , together with CEO Elliott Hill and Apple CEO and Nike director Tim Cook dinner. Niles mentioned he was assured that Hill can efficiently lead Nike’s turnaround story. The corporate veteran got here out of retirement to take the helm late final yr . “Elliot Hill is a 32-year veteran of Nike. He is taking it again to its roots, which is targeted on sports activities distribution and innovation,” Niles mentioned. Nike shares misplaced 15% in 2025.
