JPMorgan strategists name two “Strong Buy” stocks for the rest of 2026 as U.S. equity outlook stays upbeat

JPMorgan’s equity team is telling clients to stay constructive for the remainder of 2026, pairing a bullish market outlook with two “Strong Buy” stock picks in a segment of coverage highlighted by TheStreet on July 3, 2026. The update comes amid a year in which U.S. equities have already moved higher, according to the same coverage.

TheStreet’s write-up ties the firm’s position to the outlook discussed by JPMorgan global investment strategist Kriti Gupta. She suggested the S&P 500 could climb as high as 9,000 by mid-2027, which the coverage frames as roughly a 20% gain from then-current levels.

In addition to the broad index view, JPMorgan strategists Harlan Sur and Daniel Chen identified two stocks as top “Strong Buy” ideas for the second half of 2026. TheStreet’s headline and related link indicate the picks were Broadcom (AVGO) and NetEase (NTES), both of which were grouped under JPMorgan’s stronger-conviction recommendations for the period.

The coverage describes the “Strong Buy” framework as JPMorgan’s higher-conviction stance, implying that the strategists see favorable risk-reward versus what they view as prevailing market expectations. However, the specific investment theses and valuation or earnings catalysts for each stock were not included in the text available through the July 3 RSS-linked post.

Broader market context matters for the JPMorgan view. When index returns depend on whether a market can extend gains, strategists often pair a target-range outlook with selective stock picks. In that context, JPMorgan’s approach in this update is notable for combining a near-term, second-half portfolio posture with a longer-dated path for the S&P 500 into 2027.

JPMorgan’s outlook also fits the pattern of major banks continuing to update clients frequently as investors weigh the durability of earnings and macro conditions. TheStreet’s recap emphasizes that the team is still forecasting significant upside for the market, rather than shifting to a defensive posture for the remainder of 2026.

What is not clear from the available excerpt is how JPMorgan’s two “Strong Buy” picks fit into the firm’s sector or factor positioning. The coverage does not disclose, in the accessible material, the exact drivers for AVGO and NTES that would justify the “Strong Buy” ratings relative to peers, nor does it list any specific price targets, time horizons, or detailed assumptions.

Investors watching JPMorgan’s second-half call will likely focus on whether subsequent JPMorgan notes expand on the rationale behind AVGO and NTES and on whether the S&P 500 trajectory implied by the 9,000 mid-2027 target is supported by realized earnings and economic data. The next sign to watch is whether JPMorgan updates these calls with more detailed commentary or supplemental stock-specific triggers.