Retail Investors Review 2026 Stock Picks, Debate Netflix, and Eye Biotech

A review on r/wallstreetbets highlighted several 2026 stock picks significantly outperforming the
$SPY index.
$NFLX earnings prompted discussion, with a cautious forecast leading to a stock price decrease despite beating estimates.
$IBRX garnered significant attention regarding FDA approvals for cancer treatments and the use of AI-powered robots.
The AI narrative continued to be a point of contention, with some investors expressing skepticism about its impact on certain valuations.

Retail Stock Picks of 2026 Under Review

Retail investors on r/wallstreetbets revisited their top stock picks from the end of 2025, evaluating their year-to-date performance in 2026. The average return of the top 10 picks stood at 18%, significantly outpacing the

$SPY index's 0.76% return for the same period. Notable performers included

$ASTS with a 59.8% gain,

$RKLB up 35.2%, and

$IREN with a 46.3% increase. Other picks like

$NBIS (23.1%) and

$MU (18.2%) also showed strong gains, while

$RDDT,

$TSLA, and

$PLTR experienced slight declines.

Despite the overall positive average, individual experiences varied. One r/wallstreetbets user shared a significant loss on

$MU, while another expressed regret over selling

$ASTS at a loss, missing out on substantial gains.

Earnings Reactions: Netflix and UnitedHealth

$NFLX was a major topic following its fourth-quarter earnings release. While the company largely beat Wall Street estimates, a cautious forecast for the coming months, attributed to increased program spending and the Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. deal, led to a 4% stock price decrease. Discussions on r/stocks and r/wallstreetbets centered on the balance between strong past performance and future investment costs.

Separately, anticipation built around

$UNH's upcoming earnings report. Some investors on r/stocks expressed a bullish outlook, predicting the company would beat earnings and see its stock price rise, citing institutional activity as a key indicator.

Biotech and Short Squeeze Plays

$IBRX emerged as a prominent topic across several subreddits, including r/Shortsqueeze and r/pennystocks. Discussions highlighted the company's cancer treatment, Anktiva, which is approved in Saudi Arabia but still awaiting full US FDA approval. Concerns were raised about the FDA's review process, while optimism surrounded

$IBRX's progress in cancer treatment trials and its use of AI-powered robots to lower therapy costs.

Another biotech company,

$NVAX, gained attention on r/Shortsqueeze due to a new licensing deal with

$PFE. This partnership, combined with a high short interest of approximately 40.9% of its float, positioned

$NVAX as a potential candidate for a short squeeze.

Diverse Market Discussions

On r/wallstreetbets, an investor considered closing a profitable position in

$MSTR, while simultaneously labeling the company a fraud due to perceived dilution. Another user on the same subreddit announced a YOLO bet on

$BAC, emphasizing an all-or-nothing investment philosophy.

The AI narrative continued to be a polarizing topic. One investor on r/wallstreetbets made a significant options play on

$ADBE, arguing that the stock was undervalued due to its strong financials and that the AI narrative was stupid and overblown. Conversely, a user on r/stocks sought advice after going all-in on

$NVDA at its peak, now holding a losing position and struggling to accept the loss.

Other notable discussions included

$AVAV dropping over 15% due to a stop work order from the U.S. Government, and

$RIME being highlighted on r/pennystocks as a company poised to benefit from the modernization of the logistics industry.

Top Tickers in Discussion

Retail investor conversations frequently centered on a diverse set of tickers.

$IBRX led in overall discussion rank, reflecting the strong interest in its developments. Other highly discussed tickers included those in the energy and materials sectors.

Top Mentioned Tickers

Live market context for tickers referenced in this article.

#	Symbol	Rank	Comments	Users	Price	Vol	24h	Mrkt Cap.
1	IBRX	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2	UUUU	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
3	CCJ	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
4	LEU	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
5	MP	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
6	PLCE	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
7	NVDA	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
8	NXXT	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

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