📆The first quarter of 2026 is officially behind us. Even though the S&P 500 has fallen roughly 4% this year...

📆The first quarter of 2026 is officially behind us.
Even though the S&P 500 has fallen roughly 4% this year, a handful of stocks are delivering standout gains. Most of these winners fall into two main buckets.
🔹 The first is AI infrastructure - names like SanDisk, Lumentum, and Ciena are leading the way by providing essential building blocks such as memory chips, networking gear, and optical technology.
🔹 The second bucket is energy and materials. Companies including LyondellBasell, Dow, APA, CF Industries, and Occidental have benefited from rising oil prices triggered by the conflict in Iran.
🔹 And then there are a few outliers. Texas Pacific Land has soared by repositioning itself as a data center enabler — using its vast land, power, and water resources to support the AI boom.
📈 Moderna is also moving higher after settling a major patent dispute and raising its 2026 revenue forecast, thanks to its new product pipeline.