Citi names 16 stocks 'primed to pop' on 1Q26 earnings, including two smid caps

Citigroup has flagged 16 stocks investors should consider buying ahead of first-quarter earnings season, saying they could rise 3-12% after the results.

In a client note dated Friday, Citi shared a list of 16 stocks that could gain on the back of strong first-quarter 2026 results, Business Insider reported. The bank said markets are underestimating the January-March earnings, while advising them to closely monitor commentary from the management on both cost pressures and the impact of AI.

Among the 16 names on Citi’s list are two mid caps.

• Celanese, a producer of emulsions and polymers used in automotive, electronics, health care, and consumer goods, with a market capitalization of $7 billion. The company is set to report its first-quarter earnings on May 5, and its shares could rise 10% on the day, Citi estimates. At the close on Friday, Celanese stock was quoted at $63.10 per share. It has 11 “buy” ratings from Wall Street analysts, eight “hold,” and two “sell.” The average target price stands at $65.20 per share, implying 3% upside.

• Maplebear, the tech company behind the Instacart delivery service, with a market capitalization of $9.44 billion. It is scheduled to report quarterly results on April 29, which could drive a 6% share-price increase on the day, Citi said. Wall Street is broadly optimistic on the company: 21 analysts rate the stock a “buy,” 15 “hold,” and only one “sell.” The average target price is $50.60 per share, implying nearly 29% upside.

Below are the other names.

• Meta Platforms (shares could rise 6% on earnings day, according to the bank)

• Netflix (6%)

• Amazon (7%)

• Burlington Stores (7%)

• General Motors (6%)

• Walmart (4%)

• Affirm Holdings (12%)

• Chubb (3%)

• Eli Lilly (6%)

• Natera (10%)

• GE Aerospace (6%)

• Broadcom (8%)

• Cadence Design Systems (7%)

• MongoDB (11%)

Deutsche Bank said in a note dated Friday that corporate earnings are expected to grow 19% year over year in the first quarter, Business Insider reported in a separate article. The Wall Street consensus forecast calls for 16% year over year earnings growth in the same period – the most optimistic outlook in four years.

Among the tailwinds behind the “uber upbeat outlook,” Deutsche Bank cited higher oil prices, which are expected to support energy-sector earnings, the expansion of AI, and rising activity in the industrial sector. At the same time, investor expectations for quarterly results appear subdued, the bank said, as market participants focus on negative factors such as the conflict in the Middle East.

Earnings season kicks off this week, with major Wall Street banks – JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, BofA, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs – to be the first to report their January-March results.