Best Stocks to Buy Now Before Earnings and Hold Forever: GEV, VRT

Investors should consider buying two of the best buy-and-hold stocks on Wall Street heading into their quarterly earnings releases during the week of April 20.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:39pm

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An extreme close-up of complex, interlocking industrial machinery and components in shades of steel grey, copper, and electric blue, conceptually representing the vital but unseen infrastructure powering the AI revolution.Vertiv's critical digital infrastructure technologies help AI data centers and other cutting-edge computing applications run as dependably and efficiently as possible.Columbus Today

Wall Street is furiously buying stocks as investors cheer the possibility of an Iran deal and stellar, AI-boosted earnings growth. The two stocks highlighted, GE Vernova (GEV) and Vertiv (VRT), benefit directly from the AI spending boom and broader megatrends, including reshoring and soaring electricity demand. GEV, a gas turbine maker and nuclear energy technology giant, is on its way to becoming a real-world and Wall Street titan, while VRT, a behind-the-scenes AI-data center infrastructure powerhouse, is working directly with Nvidia.

Why it matters

AI remains the driver of another record year of capex spending in 2026, with the AI hyperscalers projected to spend $600 billion to $700 billion, up from roughly $400 billion in 2025. GEV and VRT provide exposure to key economic superscycles, including AI, and allow investors to ride the AI train without having to pick the forward-facing tech winners.

The details

GEV raised its outlook once again for 2026 and 2028 when it reported its Q4 results, and said its total backlog will hit $200 billion by 2028. The company is projected to post 18% sales growth in 2026 and 13% higher revenue next year to reach nearly $51 billion. Wall Street also loves that GEV doubled its quarterly dividend for 2026 and raised its repurchase authorization to $10 billion from $6 billion. Vertiv announced at the end of March that it's expanding its manufacturing footprint to support 'growing customer demand for AI, high-density computing, and other critical digital infrastructure applications.' The company is projected to grow its adjusted EPS by 45% in 2026 and 32% in FY27, nearly doubling its 2025 figure.

  • GEV reports before the market opens on Wednesday, April 22.
  • VRT will report before the markets open on Wednesday, April 22.

The players

GE Vernova

A gas turbine maker and nuclear energy technology giant that is on its way to becoming a real-world and Wall Street titan.

Vertiv

A behind-the-scenes AI-data center infrastructure powerhouse that is working directly with Nvidia.

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What’s next

Investors should closely monitor the earnings reports from GEV and VRT on April 22 to see if the companies are able to meet or exceed their strong growth projections.

The takeaway

GEV and VRT are two stocks that provide exposure to the booming AI and technology infrastructure sectors, allowing investors to benefit from the broader trends without having to pick individual tech winners. Both companies are well-positioned to capitalize on the surge in AI-related spending and infrastructure needs.