Top Stock Picks of 2026: Nebius Group on Cloud 9

For the last month or so, we're been highlighting Schaeffer's top 15 picks for 2026. Today, we have AI data center infrastructure maven Nebius Group NV (NASDAQ:NBIS). To access the entirety of the 2026 report, click here.

The following is our analysis from Dec. 23 for the upcoming year. NBIS is the second-best performer on the year, up 82.8%.

Dutch-based Nebius Group  NV (NBIS) enters 2026 as one of the most compelling AI infrastructure stories in the market. From a technical perspective, Nebius stock recently found support at the 2021 highs after breaking out earlier this year. The stock continues to hold the rising 20-week moving average, and the trend structure remains constructive after coming off nearly 50% from its highs.

I would continue to be a buyer on any early weakness in 2026 into the 52-week moving average, as well as the 2025 year-to-date anchored volume weighted average price (AVWAP) zone in the $65-$70 area, which is in confluence with the equity's 2020 highs.

Options activity supports this view. We are seeing active large put sellers out to May 2026 in the $65-$85 region, which tends to mark institutional willingness to accumulate shares on pullbacks and support price action. There is also buying at the January 2027 150-strike and 200-strike calls for next December. 

This area is littered with big out-of-the-money call buyers, which makes these two positions likely the most important for the time frame of this trade. Sentiment is bleak, giving us a contrarian bullish setup. Short interest is 13.93% of the float and at 2025 highs heading into the new year, despite improving fundamentals. This gives us potential for a short-covering rally in 2026.

The Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) is 87 (out of 100), which tells us the stock has consistently rewarded premium buyers, and the Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) sits in the 89th percentile, reflecting a pessimistic positioning backdrop that can unwind into strength.