JPMorgan Adds AI Stocks, Food Distributor to Top Picks for April

Bank swaps out discount retailer, natural gas producer, and childcare company from previous list.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:52am

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JPMorgan Chase has updated its list of top stock picks for April, adding technology companies JFrog and Palo Alto Networks as beneficiaries of the growing artificial intelligence (AI) trend, as well as food service provider Aramark. The bank removed Five Below, Bright Horizons, and natural gas producer EQT from its previous list, citing concerns over underperformance, industry headwinds, and a preference for shale oil names amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.

Why it matters

JPMorgan's monthly updates to its top stock picks provide valuable insights into the bank's market views and investment strategies. The changes reflect the bank's assessment of which sectors and companies are best positioned to navigate the current economic and geopolitical landscape, including the impact of AI adoption and the volatility in energy markets.

The details

JPMorgan added JFrog and Palo Alto Networks to its list, citing their potential to benefit from the growing adoption of AI technologies. The bank is 'incrementally more positive' on Palo Alto Networks as the cybersecurity firm continues to gain market share. For Aramark, the bank cited the company's 'well-anchored' 2026 outlook as the reason for adding it back to the top picks. In contrast, JPMorgan removed Five Below, Bright Horizons, and natural gas producer EQT, with the latter swap driven by a preference for shale oil names amid the U.S.-Iran conflict.

  • JPMorgan updates its top stock picks list at the start of each month.
  • The latest changes were made on April 2, 2026.

The players

JPMorgan Chase

A multinational investment bank and financial services company that provides a wide range of financial products and services, including asset and wealth management, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and private banking.

JFrog

A software company that provides a DevOps platform for managing software packages and automating software development and deployment processes.

Palo Alto Networks

A cybersecurity company that offers a platform of network security, cloud security, and security analytics products and services.

Aramark

A food, facilities, and uniform services provider that serves clients in the healthcare, education, sports, leisure, and business sectors.

Five Below

A discount retail chain that sells a variety of products, including toys, games, and other merchandise, primarily targeted at pre-teen and teen customers.

Bright Horizons

A provider of early education and child care services, including child care centers, back-up care, and educational advisory services.

EQT

A natural gas production company that operates primarily in the Appalachian Basin.

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What they’re saying

“JFrog is 'well positioned to benefit from meaningful AI related tailwinds.'”

— Ken Goldman, Analyst

“JPMorgan is 'incrementally more positive' on Palo Alto Networks as the cybersecurity company continues to gain market share and positions itself as an AI beneficiary.”

— Ken Goldman, Analyst

What’s next

JPMorgan will likely continue to monitor the performance of its top stock picks and make adjustments as market conditions and investment themes evolve.

The takeaway

JPMorgan's latest updates to its top stock picks reflect the bank's focus on identifying companies that are well-positioned to benefit from emerging trends, such as the growing adoption of AI technologies, as well as its assessment of the impact of geopolitical events on different sectors and industries.