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Investing.com Reports AI Stock-Picking Strategies Outpacing Market Benchmarks
A set of AI-powered stock-picking strategies has generated returns significantly outpacing major market benchmarks so far in 2026, according to performance data published by financial markets platform Investing.com. The report details several model portfolios that have achieved double- and triple-digit gains by identifying specific equities across various sectors and market capitalizations.
Performance by the Numbers
Investing.com reported that while major U.S. indices have posted single- or low double-digit gains year-to-date, its AI-selected portfolios have seen substantially higher returns. The firm attributed all performance figures to its proprietary ProPicks models.
Key year-to-date performance figures as of September 10, 2026, include:
- Energy Elite: +76.93%
- Mid-Cap Movers: +35.41%
- Small-Cap Sprinters: +29.16%
For comparison, the source cited year-to-date returns for the S&P 500 at +11.55%, the Nasdaq Composite at +12.99%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average at +8.98%. Since its launch in November 2023, the overarching AI model has reportedly returned +198.81%, outpacing the S&P 500 by 118.53 percentage points.
Notable Stock Selections
AdThe report highlighted several individual stocks that contributed to the strategies' performance. Recent selections from September that saw immediate gains included Oracle (ORCL), Hewlett Packard (HPE), and Intel (INTC), which were up +14.37%, +15.79%, and +19.41% respectively in just over a week, according to the data.
Longer-term holdings have produced even larger returns since their initial selection. Standout performers cited by Investing.com include Delek US Energy (DK) with a +100.71% gain, Everforth (EFOR) up +74.26%, and Consensus Cloud Solutions (CCSI) at +70.32%.
Methodology and Rationale
Investing.com's system evaluates global equities by processing over 15 years of financial data through more than 150 quantitative models. The AI analyzes a blend of historical performance, valuation signals, and forward-looking growth metrics to identify stocks with high upside potential. The model portfolios are rebalanced monthly to add new opportunities and remove stocks that no longer meet the criteria.
As an example of the AI's rationale, the platform noted its model flagged Delek US Holdings based on a combination of strong earnings momentum, a significant Q4 2025 earnings beat, and analyst price targets that suggested further upside. Similarly, Everforth was identified due to what the model perceived as a deep valuation disconnect, strong free cash flow generation, and a resilient business anchored by public sector AI contracts.
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