So here’s the thing about Wall Street: everyone’s got a “system” until the market decides to humble them. But every once in a while, someone actually backs up their big talk with results. Enter Piper Sandler and their “Macro Select” model, which just casually crushed the S&P 500 in 2025 like it was no big deal.
While the S&P 500 was doing its respectable 16% victory lap last year, these guys were over here posting a cool 22% return. Not bad for a bunch of spreadsheet jockeys, right?
Now, before you start thinking this is some mystical Wall Street wizardry, let me break down their “secret sauce.” It’s actually pretty straightforward: they look for companies that are cheap but not trash, profitable but not boring, and showing signs they might actually surprise people with good earnings. Revolutionary stuff, I know.
Michael Kantrowitz, their chief strategist (fancy title for “guy who picks stocks”), thinks 2026 is going to be different. He’s betting on a “broadening” market, which is finance-speak for “maybe other stocks besides the Magnificent Seven will actually do something.”
Their updated shopping list for 2026 includes some interesting picks that probably won’t make you the coolest person at parties, but might make your portfolio a little fatter:
The Lineup:
- AT&T (T) – Yes, that AT&T. The telecom dinosaur that somehow returned 10% last year
- Graham Holdings (GHC) – Warren Buffett’s old newspaper company, now doing other stuff
- Brinker International (EAT) – They own Chili’s. Apparently, people still love those baby back ribs
- Par Pacific Holdings (PARR) – Energy company that’s up 13% because, well, energy
- Mueller Water Products (MWA) – Water infrastructure. Sexy? No. Necessary? Absolutely
- UGI Corporation (UGI) – Utilities that somehow managed a 33% return. Wild times
- Clearway Energy (CWEN) – Clean energy play that’s up 23%
Look, I’m not saying these are the next Tesla or NVIDIA. These are the stocks your accountant uncle would buy – solid, boring, and potentially profitable. The kind of companies that make money while everyone else is chasing the latest meme stock.
Piper Sandler’s bet is that 2026 will reward “cyclical traits on the quality value side of the risk spectrum.” Translation: companies that make actual money and aren’t priced like they’re going to colonize Mars.
Will this strategy work again? Who knows. The market has a funny way of making everyone look stupid eventually. But if you’re tired of watching your tech stocks swing around like a caffeinated day trader, maybe it’s time to consider some good old-fashioned boring companies that just… make money.
Just remember: past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, but it sure beats past losses.