Seeking Alpha Top Stocks 2026: Steven Cress's Picks That Beat the Market
Every January, Seeking Alpha hosts one of the most anticipated events in retail investing: the Top Stocks presentation. For 2026, Steven Cress, the platform's VP of Quantitative Strategy, revealed his top 10 stock picks during a live webinar on January 6, 2026. The event generated significant interest given his remarkable track record, with his 2024 picks returning 125% versus the S&P 500's 25%.
While the live webinar has now concluded, Seeking Alpha Premium subscribers still have full access to the event replay and detailed article covering Cress's complete analysis. Those who registered for the live event will also have received access to the replay. For anyone who missed it, a Premium subscription unlocks both the recording and Cress's in-depth stock breakdowns. New subscribers can currently save $30 on their first year, bringing the cost down from $299 to just $269, with a 7-day free trial to test the platform.
What Is the Top Stocks Event?
The Top Stocks event is an annual presentation where Steven Cress reveals his highest-conviction stock picks for the coming year. Unlike typical stock tips you might find online, these selections are backed by Seeking Alpha's proprietary Quant Rating system, which evaluates thousands of stocks daily across five key factors: Valuation, Growth, Profitability, Momentum, and EPS Revisions.
Cress doesn't just pick stocks randomly. His methodology uses sophisticated algorithms developed over his 30+ year career in quantitative finance, including stints running a proprietary trading desk at Morgan Stanley and founding his own quant hedge fund. When Seeking Alpha acquired his company, CressCap Investment Research, in 2018, they brought his data-driven approach to millions of retail investors.
Steven Cress's Impressive Track Record
What makes this event worth paying attention to? The numbers speak for themselves. We've tracked Cress's Top Stocks performance over the past three years, and the results have consistently beaten major benchmarks by significant margins.
| Year | Top Picks Return | S&P 500 | Outperformance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +73% | +26% | +47% |
| 2024 | +125% | +25% | +100% |
| 2025 | +45% | +18% | +27% |
His 2024 picks were particularly exceptional, with an average return of 125% compared to the S&P 500's 25% gain. Even the "Magnificent 7" tech stocks, which dominated headlines throughout 2024, only returned 57% during the same period. Two stocks from his 2024 list delivered triple-digit returns, with Celestica gaining an incredible 236% after being selected in January.
The 2025 picks continued this momentum, finishing the year up approximately 45% versus the S&P 500's 18%, maintaining the pattern of significant outperformance. As Cress himself notes, not every pick will be a winner (some positions were affected by short reports and other challenges), but the overall portfolio approach has delivered remarkable results.
How the Top Stocks Selection Process Works
Cress uses what he calls a "quantamental" approach, combining quantitative analysis with fundamental research. Here's how he identifies candidates for his annual list:
The process begins with Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating system, which scores approximately 6,000 stocks daily. Each company receives grades across five pillars, similar to how you might grade student performance. A stock rated "Strong Buy" has demonstrated excellence across valuation metrics, growth trajectory, profitability margins, price momentum, and positive analyst revisions.
From this universe of highly-rated stocks, Cress applies additional filters. He looks for companies with consistent earnings beats, strong revenue growth, improving analyst sentiment, and attractive valuations relative to their sector peers. Importantly, he evaluates stocks against their own industry, not against the broader market, recognising that what constitutes "cheap" varies significantly between sectors.
The final selections represent Cress's highest-conviction ideas for long-term performance. These aren't day trades or short-term momentum plays. As he often reminds viewers, some picks take several quarters before the market recognises their value. Patience and a long-term horizon are essential when following this strategy.
How to Access the Top Stocks 2026 Content
The January 6, 2026 live event has concluded, but Premium subscribers can still access the full recording and detailed analysis. Here's what each subscription tier provides:
Premium Subscribers (Full Access)
Premium members get the complete package: the detailed article with full analysis and the event replay to watch anytime. This is the best option if you want to study Cress's methodology and picks at your own pace.
Alpha Picks & Investing Groups Subscribers
These subscribers could attend the live webinar, but don't have access to the paywalled article or event replay. If you're already subscribed to Alpha Picks or an Investing Group and want ongoing access to the content, consider upgrading to Premium.
How to Get Started
Step 1: Subscribe to Premium
Visit Seeking Alpha Premium to start your 7-day free trial. Through our link, you'll save $30 on your first year, paying $269 instead of the standard $299 price. For all current deals, check our Seeking Alpha discount guide. Not sure which plan to choose? See our subscription comparison.
Step 2: Access the Replay
Once you're a Premium subscriber, you'll have immediate access to the Top Stocks 2026 replay and detailed article, giving you the opportunity to study Cress's analysis and methodology.
Step 3: Prepare Your Strategy
Familiarise yourself with Premium's tools. Review the Quant Ratings on stocks you're considering, set up your portfolio tracking, and explore the screeners so you can identify opportunities that align with your investment goals.
What Else Does Premium Include?
Beyond access to the Top Stocks replay, a Premium subscription unlocks Seeking Alpha's complete toolkit for serious investors. We've been using Premium for several years, and these are the features we find most valuable.
Quant Ratings on 6,000+ Stocks
Every stock receives a rating from Strong Sell to Strong Buy, updated daily. Backtested over 10+ years, Strong Buy-rated stocks have outperformed the S&P 500 by approximately 4x. You can screen specifically for these high-conviction opportunities or monitor your existing holdings for rating changes.
Factor Grades
Each stock is evaluated across Valuation, Growth, Profitability, Momentum, and EPS Revisions, with letter grades from A+ to F. This granular breakdown helps you understand exactly why a stock receives its overall rating and identify specific strengths or weaknesses.
Professional Stock Screeners
Filter the entire market by dividend safety, earnings quality, valuation metrics, sector, market cap, and dozens of other criteria. You can use pre-built screens like "Top Rated Dividend Stocks" or create custom screens matching your specific investment strategy.
Portfolio Monitoring
Connect your brokerage accounts to track Quant Ratings across your entire portfolio in one dashboard. Receive alerts when any holding drops to a Sell or Strong Sell rating, helping you manage risk proactively rather than reactively.
Unlimited Expert Analysis
Access over 10,000 monthly articles from vetted analysts, industry insiders, and professional investors. Each piece includes bull and bear cases, helping you see multiple perspectives before making decisions. Premium members also get author performance metrics showing each contributor's historical accuracy.
For a complete breakdown of Premium features and how they compare to other research platforms, see our Seeking Alpha Premium Review.
Is Premium Worth It for the Top Stocks Content?
At $269 for the first year (with the current $30 discount), Premium works out to roughly $22 per month. Whether that's worth it depends on how you plan to use the platform.
If you're only interested in the Top Stocks list, the math is straightforward: would access to a portfolio that has historically beaten the market by 2-3x annually be worth $269? For most serious investors managing portfolios above $10,000, even a modest improvement in returns would far exceed the subscription cost.
However, Premium offers much more than the annual event. The daily Quant Ratings, stock screeners, and portfolio monitoring tools provide ongoing value throughout the year. Many subscribers report that the ratings alone have helped them avoid poorly-performing stocks, which can be just as valuable as finding winners.
Our recommendation: if you're actively managing your own investments and want data-driven insights rather than gut-feeling trades, Premium delivers genuine value. The 7-day free trial lets you explore all features before the first payment processes, so there's minimal risk in testing whether the platform suits your investing style.
Other Seeking Alpha Products to Consider
Premium is just one tier of Seeking Alpha's offerings. Depending on your investment approach, you might also consider:
Alpha Picks
If you want specific stock recommendations delivered to you without doing the research yourself, Alpha Picks delivers two new selections each month plus sell signals. This service has been our top-performing newsletter recommendation for three years running. You can bundle Alpha Picks with Premium for additional savings through the Seeking Alpha Bundle.
Seeking Alpha Pro
For professional investors and active traders, Seeking Alpha Pro includes everything in Premium plus advanced screening tools, deeper analytics, and additional features designed for high-volume research. At $2,400 per year, it's primarily suited for those who invest professionally or manage substantial portfolios.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still watch the Top Stocks 2026 presentation?
Yes. Premium subscribers have full access to the event replay and the detailed article with Steven Cress's complete analysis. The live event took place on January 6, 2026, but the recording remains available to all Premium members.
I missed the live event. Can I still benefit from the picks?
Absolutely. Cress selects stocks for their long-term potential, typically with a one-year horizon. The replay and article provide his full analysis and rationale, allowing you to evaluate each pick and decide whether they align with your investment strategy.
I have Alpha Picks or an Investing Group subscription. Can I access the replay?
Only Premium subscribers have access to the event replay and detailed article. Alpha Picks and Investing Groups members could attend the live webinar, but don't have ongoing access to the recorded content. If you want to watch the replay, consider upgrading to Premium.
How long do I need to hold the Top Stocks picks?
Cress selects stocks for their long-term potential, typically with a one-year horizon. As he notes, some picks take several quarters to perform as the market recognises their value. These aren't intended as short-term trades.
Are the Top Stocks picks suitable for all investors?
The picks tend to be individual stocks with strong fundamentals according to the Quant Rating system. They may include companies across various market caps and sectors. As with any stock recommendations, you should consider whether individual positions align with your risk tolerance and investment goals.
How does the current $30 discount work?
Through our link, new subscribers receive $30 off the first year of Premium, paying $269 instead of $299. You also get a 7-day free trial. After the first year, the subscription auto-renews at the standard annual rate (currently $299).
Can I cancel during the free trial?
Yes, you can cancel within the 7-day trial period without being charged. If you continue past the trial, the discounted first-year rate of $269 applies automatically.
What if I already have a Seeking Alpha account?
If you have a free Basic account, you can upgrade to Premium and receive the discount. If you're already a Premium subscriber, you unfortunately can't stack additional discounts, but you retain access to all Premium features including the Top Stocks replay.
The Bottom Line
Steven Cress's Top Stocks events have delivered remarkable returns for investors who followed his recommendations. With his 2024 picks returning 125% versus the S&P's 25%, and his 2025 selections finishing up approximately 45%, the January 2026 presentation represents another opportunity for data-driven investors to learn from his methodology.
Access requires a Seeking Alpha Premium subscription, but with the current $30 discount bringing the first-year cost to $269, the platform offers substantial value beyond just the annual event. Between Quant Ratings, professional screeners, and portfolio monitoring tools, Premium provides year-round resources for serious investors.
If you're looking for additional investment tools and platforms, check out our broker reviews to find the right trading platform for executing your investment strategy, or use our broker matching tool for personalised recommendations.
Risk Disclaimer. Investing involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may lose some or all of your initial investment. Past performance, including Steven Cress's historical stock picks, is not indicative of future results. We recommend only investing money you can afford to lose and ensuring you fully understand the risks involved before trading. Seeking Alpha's content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personalised investment advice.
