Buy 5 Top-Ranked Non-Tech Nasdaq Stocks to Maximize Q4 Gains Nalak Das Fri, October 16, 2026 at 4:30 AM EDT 5 min read ^IXIC +0.08% APA -0.30% ROST +1.85% HALO +4.01% CORT -2.46% Explore stocks on Coinbase Trading disclosure Trading disclosure The above button links to Coinbase. Yahoo Finance is not a broker-dealer or investment adviser and does not offer securities or cryptocurrencies for sale or facilitate trading. Coinbase pays us for certain activity generated through this link. Prices displayed are informational.
Wall Street has been witnessing an astonishing rally since the beginning of 2023, barring some minor fluctuations. The rally has primarily been driven by the global artificial intelligence (AI) technology boom. Generative and agentic AI have transformed the entire landscape of the information technology sector worldwide.
Consequently, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped 43.4%, 28.6% and 20.4%, respectively, in 2023, 2024 and 2025. This trend has continued this year too. The AI momentum is rock-solid and has been expanding the periphery, scale and magnitude day by day. As a result, the tech-heavy index is up 15% year to date.
Despite the fact that the Nasdaq Composite is a tech-laden index, several non-tech Nasdaq-listed stocks have also flourished this year. Investment in these stocks with a Zacks top rank should be fruitful in the last two and half months.
Five such non-tech Nasdaq Composite-listed stocks are: Ross Stores Inc. ROST, Roku Inc. ROKU, APA Corp. APA, Corcept Therapeutics Inc. CORT and Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. HALO. Each of our picks currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The chart below shows the price performance of our five picks year to date.
Ross Stores is well positioned for continued growth, supported by strong sales momentum, customer acquisition and a compelling value proposition. Second-quarter fiscal 2026 sales rose 13%, with broad-based strength across categories and regions.
ROST sees further upside from merchandising, marketing and store-execution initiatives that remain in the early stages. Store expansion adds another growth lever, with 115 openings planned for fiscal 2026. ROST also maintains a strong financial foundation, supported by healthy liquidity and cash generation.
ROST has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 12.8% and 32.7%, respectively, for the current year (ending January 2027). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year's earnings has improved 11.7% in the last 60 days.
Roku continues to benefit from the shift of viewing and advertising budgets from linear television to streaming, with Platform revenue growth supported by Advertising and Subscriptions. ROKU's scale of more than 100 million streaming households, broader programmatic reach and expanding subscription offering support continued monetization of the Roku Experience.
The new Home Screen and AI-powered search could further improve content discovery, retention and advertising opportunities as the rollout expands. ROKU is broadening its advertising model across programmatic demand, enterprise campaigns and self-service tools. Advertising revenues increased 24.8% year over year in the second quarter of 2026 to $672.8 million, while advertising gross margin rose to 62.4%.
ROKU has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 18.5% and more than 100%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year's earnings has improved 2.2% over the last 30 days.
APA offers a favorable setup, supported by stronger capital efficiency, cost savings and visible long-term growth. GranMorgu remains on track for first oil in mid-2028, while the Permian is delivering higher U.S. oil guidance without added capital.
Better cash conversion and ROIC point to improved funding flexibility and capital productivity, helping APA reduce debt while supporting shareholder returns. APA's earnings remain cyclical, however, and commodity prices can materially affect cash flow. Gas-trading returns are market-sensitive.
Net debt also remains meaningful, though deleveraging is progressing. APA is lowering its underlying cost structure across operations. APA's stronger operating efficiency, disciplined spending and long-term growth potential outweigh risks.
APA has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of -1.1% and 53.6%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year's earnings has improved 1.6% over the last 30 days.
Corcept Therapeutics' lead marketed drug, Korlym, approved for treating Cushing's syndrome, continues to see strong demand, a trend likely to persist through the rest of 2026. Though still in early days, the recent FDA approval and launch of Lifyorli (relacorilant) in combination with nab-paclitaxel for treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancer should support CORT's revenue diversification and growth.
CORT's recent resubmission of the NDA for relacorilant in Cushing's syndrome is also encouraging. Relacorilant has been designated as an orphan drug for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome by the FDA and the European Commission.
Corcept Therapeutics has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 50.3% and more than 100%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year's earnings has improved 5.1% over the last 30 days.
Halozyme Therapeutics has collaboration deals related to its ENHANZE technology with several large pharma companies that generate royalties and milestone payments. This, in turn, is driving HALO's top line, which is expected to continue for the rest of 2026.
Robust demand for argenx's Vyvgart Hytrulo and the subcutaneous formulation of Johnson & Johnson's Darzalex is boosting HALO's royalties and the top line. The momentum is likely to continue for the rest of 2026. HALO is also focused on signing new collaboration deals to aid growth.
Halozyme Therapeutics has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 35.1% and more than 100%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year's earnings has improved 0.8% over the last seven days.
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APA Corporation (APA) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (CORT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
