Want to Beat the Market in 2026? 3 Stocks to Buy Early This Year

Investors looking to beat the market this year have plenty of opportunities to choose from, but these three could be the best right now.

| More on:
Key Points
  • Top TSX Heavyweights to Watch: Shopify, Restaurant Brands, and Agnico Eagle Mines are highlighted for their strong fundamentals and potential for outsized returns in an uncertain economic climate.
  • Growth and Stability Fuels Confidence: With impressive revenue growth, solid balance sheets, and strategic capital returns, these companies are well-positioned for future success, drawing a strong buy consensus from analysts.

Canadian investors looking for growth and resilience in 2026 have a number of excellent options to choose from. In fact, there are too many to include in one piece.

That said, I’ve got three top TSX heavyweights on this list boasting rock-solid fundamentals that position these companies for outsized returns amid economic uncertainty.

For those who want in, let’s dive in!

athlete ties shoes before starting to exercise

Source: Getty Images

Shopify

Shopify’s (TSX: SHOP) e-commerce empire is firing on all cylinders.

With analysts projecting 30% revenue growth for Q1 2026 and gross profit expected to surge 27% year-over-year, there’s a lot to like about this growth stock’s long-term outlook.

Perhaps more importantly, Shopify’s balance sheet shines with a debt-to-equity ratio of just 0.09, a current ratio of 3.9, net margin of 16.7%, and gross margin at 48.8%. These metrics combined have fueled very impressive low-to-mid-teens free cash flow margins. Analysts love Shopify for these reasons and others, with the e-commerce platform provider remaining a strong buy with price targets that suggest plenty of price appreciation is ahead.

I agree.

Restaurant Brands

The powerhouse behind Burger King, Tim Horton’s, Popeye’s and other fast food franchises, Restaurant Brands (TSX: QSR) is one of my top defensive picks for investors in 2026.

Indeed, I expect we’ll see a flood of investor capital looking for capital-oriented businesses with solid brands and loyal customer bases. Restaurant Brands checks all boxes on this front.

The company crushed Q4 2025 estimates, bringing in $0.96 in earnings per share versus $0.94 expected. Impressively, that number is up from $0.81 last year, and reaffirmed 3.5% annual revenue growth to $10.1 billion by 2028. Furthermore, the company is committing over $1.6 billion in 2026 capital returns via a $2.60 annual dividend (3.78% yield) and buybacks. These payouts are backed by consistent beats like Q3’s 3% EPS surprise.

Sure, Restaurant Brands’ debt-to-equity ratio sits at 3 times with interest coverage of 4.3 times. However, shrinking leverage and 11 years of dividend hikes make it a defensive dividend dynamo.

Agnico Eagle Mines

With a solid run in precious metals continuing, Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX: AEM) remains one of my top options for investors looking to ride this bull market to new highs.

Operationally, Agnico is one of the best in its sector. This past quarter, the company reported $2.69 adjusted EPS (beating $2.56) and $3.6 billion in revenue (10% over estimates). Importantly, 2026 gold production guidance came in at 3.3–3.5 million ounces. That suggests plenty of revenue and earnings growth could be ahead, and this company’s valuation is simply too low.

Any time I see a situation like this where fundamentals scream strength, I have to take a deeper look. And despite the stock price surge investors see above, the company’s fortress balance sheet with $2.7 billion net cash should provide insulation to future downturns, if we do see gold prices eventually take a breather.

This is a long-term holding worth considering, in my view.

Fool contributor Chris MacDonald has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Shopify. The Motley Fool recommends Restaurant Brands International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Investing

some investments are riskier than others
Stocks for Beginners

How to Protect Your Portfolio as Carney and Trump Dig In

Loblaw and Agnico Eagle could help investors add defensive strength to their portfolios as Canada-U.S. trade tensions remain elevated.

Read more »

senior man and woman stretch their legs on yoga mats outside
Retirement

Want $1,000 a Month in Retirement Income? Here’s How Much You May Actually Need

An extra $1,000 a month in retirement is easiest to fund when you use tax-smart accounts and dividend growers that…

Read more »

Train cars pass over trestle bridge in the mountains
Dividend Stocks

1 Number Could Tell Investors Whether This Sell-off Is Nearly Over

A small pullback in Canadian National Railway looks more interesting when freight demand is still rising.

Read more »

running robot changes direction
Stocks for Beginners

Canada Doubles Steel and Aluminum Tariffs to 50%: What it Means for Algoma Steel Investors

Higher tariffs can help a Canadian steelmaker win orders, but they don’t guarantee profits, and Algoma still needs to prove…

Read more »

heavy construction machines needed for infrastructure buildout
Metals and Mining Stocks

Why Algoma Steel Could Be Canada’s Best Tariff-Retaliation Play

Canada’s escalating tariff battle with the United States could give Algoma Steel’s growing focus on domestic plate demand an important…

Read more »

A airplane sits on a runway.
Stocks for Beginners

Your Trump Trade War Roundup After a Busy Weekend

As Canada’s new counter-tariffs take effect, and the Bombardier and auto items are still threats, investors should separate what’s real…

Read more »

container trucks and cargo planes are part of global logistics system
Dividend Stocks

I’d Put My Entire $7,000 TFSA Contribution Into This Growth Stock

A single $7,000 TFSA contribution can turn into a much bigger number if it’s invested in a durable grower like…

Read more »

diversification and asset allocation are crucial investing concepts
Energy Stocks

This Undervalued TSX Stock Could Be Your Ticket to Lasting Wealth

Hammond Power Solutions just posted record sales and rising margins, yet this top TSX stock still looks undervalued today.

Read more »