Many top stocks are down this year, even though the S&P 500 has continued to soar to new heights. That can happen when a good chunk of stocks are up big, including Micron Technology, AMD, and CrowdStrike — they’ve all more than doubled in value thus far in 2026.
At the other end of the spectrum, however, are some more troubled stocks. And for long-term investors, this is where the deals can be found: in stocks that aren’t doing well of late but still have strong businesses worth investing in. Three magnificent stocks that are trading near their 52-week lows that could be great long-term buys right now include Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX), American Express (NYSE:AXP), and Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER).
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Netflix
Shares of streaming company Netflix are down more than 30% this year. Concerns about its slowing growth are weighing on the stock, and with Paramount and HBO content now coming together under Skydance, competition may also intensify in the near future.
However, the business is still growing in double digits, with Netflix forecasting 13% revenue growth for the full year. Paying 18 times earnings for that kind of growth is more than reasonable, especially with the company still pursuing growth opportunities in live sports. Plus, all it takes is one hot new series or movie to get people excited again. Over the years, Netflix has shown it can produce its own content well, proving it can compete with the top studios in Hollywood.
It hit a new 52-week low on Tuesday, and with a light valuation, this could be an excellent stock to buy right now.
American Express
Another stock that hasn’t been doing well this year is American Express. Shares of the credit card company have declined by over 15%, and this is even as the business has proven to be fairly robust and resilient amid challenging economic conditions. By targeting more affluent customers, the business is in an excellent position to do well even when other companies struggle.
Last week, the company released its third-quarter numbers, which showed solid 9% growth in its most recent period. Adjusted net income of $3.2 billion was up 11% year over year, as American Express demonstrates that it can continue to deliver solid numbers, even when economic conditions aren’t ideal.
Currently, the stock is trading at a price-to-earnings multiple of 19, which is a fair bit lower than the S&P 500 average of 23. Although it has been rising in value recently, the stock is still about 8% away from its 52-week low of $290.97.
Uber Technologies
One of the cheapest growth stocks to buy right now is Uber, which is trading at less than 15 times its trailing earnings. The company, known for its popular ride-hailing app, has been a growth beast over the years, and it still has ample opportunities to grow in international markets and via robotaxis.
The company’s revenue rose by 12% in the June quarter, and bookings increased by 24%. The platform continues to be a go-to option for people all over the world, providing them with plenty of flexibility and convenience. And that isn’t likely to change anytime soon.
I believe the market is wrong about the risk autonomous driving poses to Uber, which appears to be weighing on the stock, as the company already has an excellent platform that users go to in search of rides, and adding an option for driverless taxis can be a way for it to naturally complement its business. Rather than a risk, autonomous driving could be a huge opportunity for Uber, and it’s one that it has been investing heavily in.
Uber is an excellent stock to buy right now as it’s currently trading right around its 52-week low.
Should you buy stock in Netflix right now?
Before you buy stock in Netflix, consider this:
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Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $344,608!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,327,222!*
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American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. David Jagielski, CPA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, American Express, CrowdStrike, Micron Technology, and Netflix. The Motley Fool recommends Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
