These Stocks Won Big Last Year and Are Still Excellent Buys for 2026

Backed by strong fundamentals and favourable growth outlooks, these three TSX stocks appear poised to continue their upward momentum in 2026.

| More on:
Key Points
  • Celestica, Kinross Gold, and 5N Plus significantly outperformed the S&P/TSX Composite Index in 2025 with returns of over 200%, 190%, and 140%, respectively.
  • These companies thrived due to robust fundamentals, industry tailwinds, and strategic growth initiatives, making them attractive investments for seeking above-market returns.

Canadian equities posted a robust performance in 2025, with the S&P/TSX Composite Index advancing more than 28%. Against this strong market backdrop, the following three TSX stocks significantly outperformed the benchmark index, supported by resilient fundamentals, favourable industry conditions, and strong quarterly execution. An assessment of their recent operating performance and long-term growth drivers highlights compelling opportunities for investors seeking above-market returns.

leader pulls ahead of the pack during bike race

Source: Getty Images

Celestica

Celestica (TSX:CLS) was among the top-performing Canadian stocks last year, delivering returns of more than 206%. The rally was driven by better-than-expected quarterly results, upward revisions to its 2025 guidance, and an increasingly optimistic long-term outlook. In the most recent third quarter, the company reported revenue growth of 27.6% and adjusted earnings per share growth of 51.9%, supported by strong demand for Hardware Platform Solutions within its Connectivity & Cloud Solutions segment.

Looking ahead, the accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence across enterprise and consumer applications is prompting hyperscalers to expand their infrastructure, significantly increasing Celestica’s addressable market. The company is also rolling out new products, including advanced switches and storage solutions, which should further enhance its competitive positioning. Management forecasts revenue and adjusted EPS growth of 26.4% and 52%, respectively, in 2025, followed by growth of 31.1% and 39% in 2026. Despite these robust growth expectations, the stock trades at a reasonable valuation of approximately 2.3 times forward sales, making Celestica an attractive investment opportunity.

Kinross Gold

Another stock that delivered an impressive return last year was Kinross Gold (TSX:K), which generated gains of over 190%, significantly outperforming the broader equity markets. The gold mining company operates a diversified portfolio of mines across the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, and Mauritania. It has benefited from rising gold prices, delivering strong financial performance and share price appreciation.

Despite a year-over-year decline in third-quarter production, Kinross posted solid financial growth, driven by higher realized gold prices. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.44, representing an 83.3% increase compared to the same quarter last year.

Looking ahead, analysts expect gold prices to remain resilient amid rising geopolitical tensions, a weakening US dollar, and continued gold accumulation by global central banks. A supportive gold price environment should bode well for Kinross Gold. In addition, investors stand to benefit from the company’s planned $600 million share repurchase program for 2025 and its quarterly dividend of $0.035 per share, which yields approximately 0.51% on an annualized basis. Furthermore, management expects gold-equivalent production to remain steady at around two million ounces in both 2026 and 2027. Considering these factors, I remain bullish on Kinross Gold.

5N Plus

My final pick is 5N Plus (TSX: VNP), which delivered an impressive 140% return last year. The company, which produces and markets specialty semiconductors and performance materials, benefited from the rapidly expanding semiconductor sector, resulting in strong quarterly performance and significant share price appreciation.

In the most recently reported third quarter, 5N Plus posted robust financial results, with revenue and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) growing by 33.1% and 86.5%, respectively. This performance was driven by strong demand from the terrestrial renewable energy and space solar power markets in its specialty semiconductors segment, as well as favourable pricing for bismuth-based products in its performance materials segment.

Looking ahead, management remains optimistic that demand for the company’s products will stay strong as customers increasingly seek advanced materials from reliable, high-quality suppliers for renewable energy and space solar applications. Supported by its global sourcing network and well-established manufacturing capabilities, 5N Plus is well-positioned to capitalize on these favorable industry tailwinds. As a result, I expect 5N Plus stock’s uptrend to continue this year as well.

Fool contributor Rajiv Nanjapla has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Celestica. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Investing

Retirees sip their morning coffee outside.
Tech Stocks

2 Technology Stocks With the Kind of Potential That Could Make Millionaires

Two tech stocks with impressive growth trajectories amid elevated volatility are potential millionaire-makers.

Read more »

a man celebrates his good fortune with a disco ball and confetti
Dividend Stocks

Where Will Enbridge Stock Be in 3 Years?

Enbridge stock has raised its dividend for 31 straight years. With a $39B project backlog and 5% growth ahead, here's…

Read more »

Train cars pass over trestle bridge in the mountains
Dividend Stocks

Why the Market May Be too Quick to Write Off These Railway and Telecom Stocks

Discover why the railway and telecom markets are experiencing significant declines and what it means for investors and value growth.

Read more »

Lights glow in a cityscape at night.
Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks I’d Buy Today and Feel Good Holding for at Least 5 Years

Want dividend income that will last for the five years to come? These two dividend stocks are leaders in Canada.

Read more »

A plant grows from coins.
Dividend Stocks

2 Canadian Dividend Stocks Yielding 4% That Appear to Have the Goods to Back It Up

These Canadian dividend stocks are dependable investments, offer attractive yield of over 4%, and are backed by solid businesses.

Read more »

Investor reading the newspaper
Dividend Stocks

A 3.9% Dividend Stock That Looks Safer Than It Seems

Transcontinental just reshaped its business with a $2.1 billion sale, and that cash could make its dividend look safer than…

Read more »

Young adult concentrates on laptop screen
Retirement

What the Typical 25-Year-Old Canadian Has Saved in a TFSA and RRSP

If you are around 25-years of age, here are some ideas on how to use both your RRSP and TFSA…

Read more »

infrastructure like highways enables economic growth
Energy Stocks

This Canadian Stock Could Rule Them All in 2026

Canadian Natural Resources just posted record production and 26 straight years of dividend hikes. Here's why CNQ stock could dominate…

Read more »