Uncover the Top 10 Stocks Under $10 with High Potential for Early 2026

Looking for ways to boost your portfolio without breaking the bank? The market in early 2026 is showing some promise, and it’s a good time to explore stocks that are trading for less than $10 a share. These companies might be overlooked, but some have solid business models and could offer a chance for significant growth. We’ve sifted through the options to find some of the top 10 stocks under $10 with high potential. Remember, investing in lower-priced stocks comes with its own set of risks, so it’s always smart to do your homework and consider investing only what you can afford to lose.

Key Takeaways

• Stocks under $10 can be attractive for investors looking for big gains, but they also carry more risk.
• A low stock price doesn’t always mean a company is struggling; it could be facing temporary issues.
• It’s important to tell the difference between a good deal and a ‘value trap’ where the stock might not recover.
• Companies with strong trading volume and those listed on major exchanges might be safer bets.
• Always research individual companies and consider your own financial situation before investing.

1. BigBear.ai Holding

BigBear.ai Holding (BBAI) is a company that operates in the artificial intelligence space, focusing on data analytics. It’s definitely a stock that comes with some risks, which is important to mention upfront. For starters, BBAI is tied to the AI trend, and as we all know, that can mean some pretty wild price swings. Plus, the company isn’t profitable yet.

However, BigBear.ai has carved out a specific niche that’s pretty interesting. They work with clients in national security, supply chain management, and digital identity. These are all areas that can be quite lucrative, kind of like how Palantir Technologies has seen success in defense-related work.

Looking ahead, analysts are expecting revenue to grow by more than 20% in 2026. The company has also been making moves, like acquiring the generative AI platform Ask Sage. This acquisition could help them expand their reach, especially since they already support a large number of government teams and commercial businesses. In fact, their annual recurring revenue is projected to grow significantly from 2024 to 2025.

It’s worth noting that the stock has already seen some gains in the past year. Analysts seem to have a generally positive outlook, with a consensus target price that suggests some upside potential over the next year. If you’re considering this stock, it’s a good idea to look into their growth strategies and how they plan to achieve profitability.

2. Lumen Technologies

Lumen Technologies, formerly known as CenturyLink, is a company that’s been through a lot of changes. They’ve been busy selling off parts of their business, like their home internet service to AT&T, which is supposed to bring in a good chunk of cash. The idea is to focus more on things like data centers and AI, which are pretty hot right now.

It’s not exactly a smooth ride, though. Lumen still has a pretty big pile of debt, and they’re up against some really big players in the telecom world. But, if you’re the kind of investor who likes a bit of a gamble on a company trying to turn things around, Lumen might be worth a look.

Here’s a quick look at some of their recent performance:

• Stock Performance: The stock has seen some decent gains recently, up about 15% this year and over 55% in the last year as of late January 2026.
• Business Focus: Shifting towards enterprise connectivity, hyperscalers, and data center operations.
• Financial Moves: Selling off home fiber business to AT&T for nearly $6 billion, aiming to reduce debt and reinvest.

They’ve got a Zacks Rank of #1, which suggests analysts are feeling pretty good about their prospects lately. It seems like they’re making progress on cleaning up their finances and getting the business in better shape for the future. It’s definitely a company to keep an eye on if you’re looking for potential turnarounds.

3. Medical Properties Trust

Medical Properties Trust, or MPW as it’s known on the stock market, is a big player in the real estate world, specifically when it comes to hospitals. They own a ton of facilities, like 390 of them, spread across nine different countries. That’s a lot of buildings and a lot of beds, around 39,000 to be exact.

Now, the stock hasn’t had the smoothest ride lately. It’s taken a hit from some tenant bankruptcies and a dividend cut, which probably wasn’t fun for investors. But here’s the thing: the healthcare industry isn’t really going anywhere. With people living longer, we’re likely to need just as many, if not more, hospitals in the future.

MPW has the size and the properties to get back on track. Even though the dividend cut stung in the short term, it should actually help the company’s finances down the road. Plus, if interest rates keep dropping, it’ll make their debt easier to handle and give them more breathing room.

Sure, there’s still some risk involved with MPW. It’s not exactly a sure thing. But considering how healthcare is pretty steady even when the economy gets shaky, and the fact that a lot of the bad news seems to be already baked into the stock price, it feels like the worst might be behind them. The stock has actually been doing okay this year and has seen a decent jump in the last 12 months. It’s one of those stocks that’s cheap, but you have to be okay with a bit of a gamble.

4. Nuvation Bio

Nuvation Bio (NUVB) is a development-stage drugmaker that could offer big rewards if their research pans out. It’s the kind of company that might not have a lot going on operationally yet, but the potential upside is huge.

The company saw a big jump in investor interest in 2025 after positive results from a Phase 3 study for its early-stage lung cancer treatment, Ibtrozi. Even with what some might call weak fundamentals, the stock has climbed over 120% in the last year.

It’s true, Nuvation Bio isn’t profitable and is expected to bring in around $60 million in total revenue for 2025. That’s pretty typical for smaller drug companies before they get the green light from the FDA, which then opens the door to much larger sales. Plus, there’s always the possibility that a larger pharmaceutical company could buy them out, giving early investors a nice payday.

Of course, investing in these small biotechs comes with its own set of risks. However, it’s encouraging that the 10 analysts who follow this healthcare stock, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence, have a consensus recommendation of ‘Strong Buy’.

One analyst, David Nierengarten from Wedbush, has an ‘Outperform’ rating on NUVB with a price target of $11, which is almost double the current stock price. He believes the shares are still undervalued because of Ibtrozi’s growing success in treating ROS1+ non-small cell lung cancer and the unique potential of safusidenib, Nuvation Bio’s oral treatment for brain tumors, in IDH1-mutant glioma.

5. Opendoor Technologies

Opendoor Technologies (OPEN) is trying to shake things up in the U.S. residential real estate market. Instead of just listing houses like some other platforms, they actually buy homes directly, fix them up, and then sell them. The idea is to cut out the traditional real estate agents and make the whole process smoother.

Lately, investors have been paying attention because Opendoor is shifting its focus. They’re aiming to become more of a software and AI company. This means they want to make money from transaction fees and being more efficient, rather than just relying on home prices going up. They’ve rolled out a bunch of tools to automate buying and selling, cut costs, and speed things up. It’s a big change from their earlier days, and the stock has definitely seen some ups and downs, but it’s showing signs of life.

While the stock is still way down from its peak a few years ago, it’s actually up this year and has grown quite a bit in the past 12 months. The company sees a huge market for its services, and they think it could get even bigger in the next few years. It’s interesting to see how this digital real estate platform continues to evolve, and it’s definitely one to watch in the under-$10 space. You can find more about Opendoor Technologies’ potential as a stock to consider.

6. Nokia Corporation

Nokia Corporation, a name many recognize from the early days of mobile phones, is still very much in the game, focusing on the infrastructure that powers our connected world. They’ve been making some strategic moves, simplifying their business into two main parts: Network Infrastructure and Mobile Infrastructure. The idea behind this is to speed up innovation and make things clearer for customers and investors alike.

Nokia is aiming for significant operating profit growth by 2026, with a strong emphasis on AI and cloud technologies. They’ve got a massive patent portfolio, including thousands essential for 5G, which is pretty important for building out the next generation of networks. Financially, they seem to be in a decent spot, with more cash on hand than long-term debt as of late 2025.

Looking ahead, Nokia has set a target for their comparable operating profit to be between €2.7–€3.2 billion by 2028. They’ve also been getting some good news, like being chosen by Proximus for a notable project. This kind of deal win is encouraging, especially in key markets. Their stock has seen some gains over the past year, and analysts seem to be revising earnings estimates upwards, which is generally a good sign. It seems like Nokia is positioning itself to benefit from the ongoing tech cycle, particularly with their work in 5G and their plans for AI-driven networks.

7. Lantronix, Inc.

Lantronix, Inc. (LTRX) is a company that’s been quietly building a name for itself in the world of Industrial and Edge AI IoT solutions. They focus on areas like enterprise IT, smart cities, and even defense systems for unmanned vehicles. One of the really interesting parts of their business right now is their growing involvement with drones.

The company recently announced that its special Edge AI technology, which meets certain government standards (NDAA/TAA-compliant), has been chosen by Trillium Engineering, a company that makes advanced camera systems for drones. This is a pretty big deal because it shows their technology is being adopted in a fast-growing sector. In fact, management thinks the drone business could make up as much as 10% to 15% of their total sales by fiscal year 2027. That’s a significant jump from where they are now.

Looking at their finances, Lantronix seems to be in a decent spot. They’ve managed to keep their gross margins strong, they’re generating positive cash from their operations, and they’ve even paid down some debt, leaving them with a good amount of cash on hand. As of the first quarter of fiscal 2026, they had over $22 million in cash and equivalents, which is more than the previous quarter. For the second quarter of fiscal 2026, they’re expecting revenues to be somewhere between $28 million and $32 million. They’re also projecting earnings per share (non-GAAP) to be between 2 and 4 cents.

With a more streamlined cost structure, a bigger footprint in high-growth markets, and more income coming in regularly, Lantronix could see some solid growth heading into 2026. Their earnings estimates have been going up, and they’ve managed to beat expectations in recent quarters. It looks like they’re on a good track.

8. TransAct Technologies Incorporated

TransAct Technologies Incorporated, often called TACT, is one of those under-the-radar tech stocks with price tags that still hover below $10, but lately, it’s been making waves. The company is known for its specialized printing solutions and technology, especially in casinos, foodservice, and retail point-of-sale markets. Over the last year, TACT has shown signs of real progress, thanks in large part to a boom in its foodservice technology business. That "BOHA!" terminal? It’s getting into more kitchens and restaurants than ever, and that means more recurring sales for the company.

Here are some things that really stand out about TransAct right now:

• Their balance sheet is pretty solid. As of September 2025, TACT had about $20 million in cash, which is up quite a bit from December of the previous year.
• The company has kept its revenue forecasts upbeat for 2025, expecting net sales between $50 million and $53 million. That’s a nice bump from earlier projections.
• Adjusted EBITDA (that’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) should land somewhere between breakeven and $1.5 million for the full year. Not a cash machine yet, but stability is a good start.

Let’s put the recent financials into a simple table:

Another thing to notice is their approach to inventory and spending—they’re careful, not just burning through money, which helps keep that cash pile looking healthy. If BOHA! unit sales keep picking up, and management continues playing it safe, TACT might finally break out of the small-cap shadows.

For folks interested in inexpensive tech names, especially in the operational and automation space, this is a stock to keep an eye on as 2026 approaches.

9. Taboola.com Ltd.

Taboola.com Ltd. is a company that works with advertising on the internet, basically helping businesses get their ads seen by more people. They use a smart system, kind of like an algorithm, to figure out who might be interested in what. Think of it as a digital matchmaker for ads. They’ve been around for a while and operate in different countries, including Israel and the United States.

Lately, they’ve been putting a lot of effort into a new platform called Realize. This isn’t just about the usual ads you see on websites anymore; it’s expanding into other areas like display and social media ads. What’s really interesting is how they’re adding features using generative AI to this platform. The idea is to make it easier for advertisers to get real results, almost like using Google Ads or Meta Ads, but with Taboola’s own spin. This move towards a more AI-driven, user-friendly platform could be a big deal for their growth.

Financially, things seem to be looking up. In the third quarter of 2025, they reported a pretty good adjusted EBITDA, which is a way to measure profitability. They also generated a decent amount of free cash flow. This strong cash generation has allowed them to buy back a good chunk of their own stock, which often signals that management feels the company is undervalued and has a bright future. For 2025, they’re forecasting revenues in the billions and solid adjusted EBITDA numbers. Their Growth Score is an ‘A’, and the stock has seen some nice gains recently. The earnings estimates have also been moving in the right direction, and they’ve had some positive surprises in their past earnings reports. It seems like Taboola.com Ltd. is trying to make advertising smarter and more effective for everyone involved.

Wrapping Up Our Top Picks

So, we’ve looked at some stocks that are trading for less than $10 and might have some good potential for early 2026. Remember, investing in these kinds of stocks comes with its own set of risks, and it’s not a guaranteed path to riches. It’s really important to do your own homework and understand what you’re getting into before putting any money down. These aren’t necessarily recommendations, just ideas to get you thinking about where you might find some interesting opportunities in the market right now. Always consider your own financial situation and goals before making any investment decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a stock a ‘cheap stock’?

A ‘cheap stock’ is generally a stock that trades for less than $10 per share. These can be appealing because they offer a lower entry price for investors, and sometimes a lower price can hide a solid company that’s just going through a tough time.

Are stocks under $10 a good investment?

They can be, but it’s important to be careful. While some cheap stocks can lead to big gains, others might be cheap for a good reason, like serious problems with the company. It’s like finding a treasure or an empty box – you have to look closely!

What are the risks of buying stocks under $10?

The main risk is that the low price might mean the company has real issues that won’t get better. These stocks can also bounce around in price a lot more than bigger, more established companies. Sometimes, a cheap stock stays cheap because the company just isn’t doing well.

How can I find good stocks under $10?

Look for companies that have solid reasons for their low price, like temporary problems in their industry. It also helps to check if the company has good trading volume (meaning lots of people are buying and selling it) and if experts think it has a good future. Using tools like the Zacks Rank can help sort through the options.

Can beginners invest in stocks under $10?

Yes, beginners can invest in these stocks, but it’s smart to start small. It’s a good way to learn about investing without risking too much money. Just be sure to pick companies you understand and don’t put all your money into just one or two stocks.

What’s the difference between a ‘cheap stock’ and a ‘penny stock’?

The term ‘penny stock’ used to mean stocks under $1, but now it often refers to stocks under $5. ‘Cheap stocks’ in this article are generally under $10. While both are low-priced, penny stocks are often considered even more risky and might trade less often than stocks in the $5 to $10 range.