2026+ Investment Picks: Reddit Discussion Analysis & Market Context

This analysis is based on a Reddit discussion [1] (timestamp 2025-12-15 00:10:54 EST) where participants debated 2026+ investment picks, including potential IPOs (SpaceX, Databricks) and stocks like TE, SE, and ASTS. Contrarian views also emerged, favoring traditional manufacturing over overvalued AI stocks.

Bullish arguments cited TE’s U.S.-based clean energy production, Palantir (PLTR) software integration, and 10GW capacity at a ~$600M market cap [1]. However, actual data shows TE’s market cap is ~$1.3B [2], annualized production capacity 5.2GW [3], and it recently raised $280M via convertible notes and stock offerings for expansion [4]. The stock has gained 242.94% YTD [2] but remains unprofitable (net margin: -136.57% [2]).

A user projected SE could triple to $375/share in 2026, driven by $5 EPS and emerging markets (LATAM/SEA) growth [1]. Analyst consensus, however, forecasts 2026 EPS ~$2.49 [5], with target prices ranging from $170-$209 [0]. SE’s YTD performance is +19.30% [0], but it declined 11.18% in the past month, reflecting near-term headwinds.

Bullish sentiment focused on ASTS’s space-based connectivity market opportunity and limited downside [1]. Execution risks remain significant: the company targets 6 satellites/month production by end-2025 [6] and 45-60 satellites in orbit by end-2026 [7], but launch delays or satellite failures could derail timelines [3]. ASTS has surged 254.53% YTD [0] but trades at a negative P/E (-52.61x [0]) and faces capital-intensive operations.

A contrarian argued traditional manufacturing (CAT, TTC) would outperform overvalued AI (NVDA). CAT’s YTD performance (+66.08% [0]) has outpaced NVDA’s (+26.59% [0]), with CAT’s P/E (30.23x [0]) lower than NVDA’s (42.94x [0]). However, NVDA’s dominant data center segment (88.3% revenue [0]) and exceptional profit margins (53.01% [0]) support its long-term growth narrative.

1. User claims about TE’s production capacity (10GW vs. actual 5.2GW) and market cap (~$600M vs. actual ~$1.3B) were significantly overstated, highlighting the need to verify data against reliable sources.
2. SE’s $5 EPS projection is more than double analyst consensus (~$2.49), indicating potential optimism bias in the discussion.
3. ASTS’s “limited downside” argument may understate execution risks (launch delays, manufacturing scalability) and capital burn (negative cash flow [0]).
4. CAT’s strong YTD performance suggests traditional manufacturing has gained traction amid AI valuation concerns, but NVDA’s high-margin data center business supports its valuation premium.

• TE
  : Risks include negative net margins (-136.57% [2]) and high debt ($701.84M [2]); opportunities lie in U.S. clean energy demand and recent expansion capital.
• SE
  : Risks involve potential earnings misses (vs. the user’s $5 EPS estimate) and emerging markets regulatory changes; opportunities in LATAM/SEA growth.
• ASTS
  : Risks are launch delays, satellite failures, and capital intensity; opportunities in the global space-based connectivity market.
• Traditional Manufacturing (CAT)
  : Risks include near-term overvaluation (6.8% above analyst target [0]); opportunities in infrastructure spending.
• AI (NVDA)
  : Risks are high valuation and growth slowdowns; opportunities in data center and AI infrastructure demand.

This report synthesizes a Reddit discussion on 2026+ investments with verified market data. TE’s user-claimed metrics differ significantly from actuals, SE’s projections are overly optimistic, ASTS faces substantial execution risks, and traditional manufacturing has outperformed AI stocks YTD. Decision-makers should verify claims against reliable sources, monitor TE’s expansion progress, SE’s earnings trajectory, ASTS’s manufacturing and launch timelines, and industry trends for both traditional manufacturing and AI.