If you are preparing to invest a large amount of money (say $10,000) in the stock market, the following companies should be at the top of your consideration list. These two high-quality companies have proven wealth creators, and their stocks are strong buys right now.
So if you have $10,000 that you don't need to pay off short-term debt, build your emergency fund, or pay your monthly bills, you might want to invest in one (or both) of these top stocks.
microsoft
When it comes to investing, risk and reward are not always proportional. microsoft (MSFT -0.15%) With a cash-rich balance sheet, diverse revenue streams, and impressive profitability, the company is probably one of the safest stocks on the market today. But returns to shareholders have been breathtaking even in recent years.
Microsoft helped usher in the era of the personal computer (PC) with its popular and profitable Windows operating system. Now, thanks to a multibillion-dollar investment in ChatGPT maker OpenAI, the tech giant is ushering the world into the era of artificial intelligence (AI).
Microsoft is bringing cutting-edge AI to its wide range of cloud-based software products. The company's AI-powered Copilots has delivered significant efficiency gains for millions of customers. Approximately 70% of Copilot users report that AI tools improve the quality of their work and increase their productivity.
AI is also driving demand for Microsoft's Azure cloud computing services. AI models are often trained in the cloud, and applications built on these models are typically delivered via the cloud. Microsoft is therefore well-positioned to play a central role as a leading AI enabler. We're already seeing evidence of that. Azure revenue rose 30% year-over-year in the quarter ended Dec. 31, driven by demand for AI solutions.
AI-related sales could boost Microsoft's annual revenue by more than $80 billion and earnings per share by more than $5 by 2028, the investment bank said. evercore. This would be a huge leap forward even for the tech giant. For context, Microsoft generated revenue and earnings per share of $228 billion and his $11.06, respectively, in the trailing twelve months.
Eli Lilly
Being obese or overweight increases your chances of developing serious medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Eli Lilly (LLY 0.04%) wants to help people lose excess weight and live healthier lives, while providing investors with wealth-building returns in the process.
analyst of goldman sachs The anti-obesity drug market is expected to reach $100 billion by the end of 2010. Eli Lilly's Zepbound is expected to become one of the top sellers in this rapidly growing area of the healthcare industry.
Zepbound is a once-weekly injection that helps adults suppress appetite and manage weight. During a 72-week clinical trial, people who received the highest dose of Zepbound lost an average of a whopping 48 pounds.
Additionally, study participants who received treatment and followed diet and exercise regimens saw favorable changes in blood pressure and cholesterol. Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, has also been shown to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
With these potential benefits, Zepbound sales are expected to accelerate Eli Lilly's revenue growth. The healthcare giant's earnings per share are expected to grow 45% annually over the next five years. Why not consider buying stocks now? Then you, too, could benefit from the potential blockbuster success of Eli Lilly's new anti-obesity drug.
Joe Tenebruso has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Goldman Sachs Group and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: His January 2026 $395 long call on Microsoft and his January 2026 $405 short call on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
