# Wall Street analysts' top S&P 500 picks for H2 2026

**Published:** 2026-07-13T01:27:07.280Z  
**Topic:** S P 500  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/995ec44c-49f8-4284-90ae-2ca6b74a26b1

Discover which S&P 500 stocks analysts favor for the second half of 2026, with Trade Desk, Datadog and Netflix leading the list and their upside potential

The consensus among Wall Street analysts points to three S&P 500 constituents—The Trade Desk, Datadog and Netflix—as the most favored equities for the second half of 2026, each offering upside of 47%‑72% versus current prices according to a CNBC‑compiled LSEG screen [2].

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Trade Desk price target upside | 72% |
| Datadog price target upside | 47% |
| Netflix recent quarterly decline | –22% |
| S&P 500 YTD gain | 16% |

## Top picks and upside metrics  
The CNBC analysis, which filtered for S&P 500 members with a consensus “buy” rating and an average price‑target upside of at least 35%, highlighted The Trade Desk (TTD) as the most aggressive case. After a 69% drop this year, the stock trades roughly $100 below its 52‑week high of $136, yet analysts’ average target of $65 implies a 77% premium to the Friday close, translating to a 72% upside from current levels [2].  

Datadog (DDOG) appears next, with an average analyst target of $230—about 58% above the latest close—yielding a 47% upside. The software firm’s performance has been relatively flat in 2025, but recent upgrades from KeyBanc Capital Markets to “overweight” reflect easing concerns over revenue and AI‑related growth, according to analyst Eric Heath [2].  

Netflix (NFLX) rounds out the trio despite a steep 22% drop in the most recent quarter, driven by a contentious bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. The streaming giant remains on analysts’ “buy” lists, underscoring its continued appeal even amid short‑term volatility [2].

## Market context and reaction  
These stock selections sit against a backdrop of solid market gains this year: the S&P 500 has risen 16% YTD, the Nasdaq 20%, and the Dow 14% [2]. The broad rally has been powered in part by AI‑related equities, a theme that also underpins the optimism for The Trade Desk’s supply‑chain innovations and Datadog’s AI‑workload monitoring platform. While the overall market has benefited, the specific upside estimates reflect analysts’ belief that these companies can outpace the broader index’s performance.  

The recent weekly market movements—S&P 500 up 0.4% and Nasdaq up 0.3% on July 10, 2026—show modest gains, with technology stocks mixed after SK Hynix’s debut and Meta’s AI chip news [1]. Treasury yields have edged higher, and the dollar index rose 0.1%, indicating a modestly tighter financial environment that could influence earnings expectations for the highlighted stocks.

## What to watch  
- **Earnings releases:** The Trade Desk’s Q3 2026 earnings (scheduled Oct 2026) and Datadog’s Q3 2026 results will test the upside assumptions.  
- **AI spending trends:** Updates from OpenAI and other large AI spenders could affect Datadog’s revenue outlook, as highlighted by analyst Heath.  
- **Netflix acquisition outcome:** Progress on the Warner Bros. Discovery bid, including any regulatory or financing hurdles, will be a key catalyst for the streaming stock.  

Analysts’ confidence in these three S&P 500 names suggests they see significant upside potential despite recent market turbulence. Whether the projected price targets materialize will hinge on upcoming earnings, AI‑related spending patterns, and the resolution of Netflix’s acquisition saga.

## Sources
1. Investopedia — [Markets News, July 10, 2026: S&P 500, Nasdaq Post Weekly Gains; Stocks Inch Higher; SK Hynix Soars in US Debut](https://www.investopedia.com/stock-market-today-dow-jones-s-and-p-500-07102026-12015940)
2. CNBC — [These are analysts' favorite stocks heading into 2026 - CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/15/these-are-analysts-favorite-stocks-heading-into-2026.html)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Wall Street analysts' top S&P 500 picks for H2 2026", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/995ec44c-49f8-4284-90ae-2ca6b74a26b1