I want to buy Amazon and these 4 US stocks in 2026

Well, 2026 is off and running, officially. We’ve already looked at five ASX shares I’d love to add to my portfolio in 2026 this January. But that’s not enough to satisfy my ambition for 2026. I also love investing in US stocks for my ASX share portfolio, given that the United States houses the best companies on the planet.

So today, let’s talk about five US stocks that I would love to buy, or buy more of, this year.

5 US stocks I’d love to buy in 2026

Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN)

First up, no one will be surprised to see Amazon. This e-commerce and cloud giant has been in my portfolio for many years. But I would love to add some more in 2026. I am still excited about this company’s future growth. Amazon’s online marketplace has never looked more dominant, given that it is entrenched in economies right around the world.

This company’s AWS cloud platform also continues to grow at an astounding pace, and seems to be carving out a place as the clear market leader in cloud-based infrastructure.

Amazon stock had a fairly flat 2025, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it is my first US stock purchase this year.

Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ: DUOL)

Duolingo is another US stock that I’ve owned for a while now, and one that has been particularly lucrative to my portfolio. I am delighted to see this language-learning company report seemingly evergreen growth year after year, both in active users and through the number of courses users can engage with (chess was a notable 2025 addition).

Despite its impressive growth rates, Duolingo is a stock that tends to be highly volatile. Over 2025, for instance, it got as high as US$544.93 and as low as US$166.27 a share. I’m hoping for more volatility this year, and a low price to pick up more shares at.

S&P Global Inc (NYSE: SPGI)

Now onto a stock that I don’t yet own, but would like to by this time next year. S&P Global is a financial services company you might know best from its stewardship of many of the world’s most important stock market indexes. These include both the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and the S&P 500 Index.

The rise of index investing over the past decade or two has been a boon for S&P Global. It has been able to compound revenues and profits at a remarkably consistent rate. This is evidenced by its 52-year streak of annual dividend increases, which have averaged an inflation-crushing rise of 7.46% per annum over the past five years. If there is a pullback opportunity to buy this company in 2026, I won’t miss it.

Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ: COST)

Costco is the US stock behind the eponymous supermarket chain. Costco’s unique membership model and bulk-oriented grocery warehouses have helped the company stand out against fierce global competition, including in Australia. We can see this in action through Costco’s 21-year streak of dividend increases, which have averaged an impressive 12.97% per annum over the past five years.

Costco stock also had an uncharacteristically poor year in 2025. If this trend continues in 2026, I will be happy to add some more shares to my existing position.

Mastercard Inc (NYSE: MA)

Our final US stock is a company we’d all be familiar with, and one that is probably in your wallet as we speak. Mastercard is the global payments giant that forms a near-duopoly with its fierce rival, Visa.

Mastercard has one of the most picture-perfect growth trajectories you can imagine, with more than a decade of double-digit growth in revenues, earnings, profits and dividends in the bank. Its annual dividend growth has averaged 13.7% over the past five years.

I’ve held Mastercard shares for many years, but have always regretted not loading the boat to the brim at the time of my first purchase. If I have the opportunity to rectify this mistake in 2026, I would be delighted to.

The post I want to buy Amazon and these 4 US stocks in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Amazon, Costco Wholesale, Duolingo, and Mastercard. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Amazon, Costco Wholesale, Duolingo, Mastercard, and S&P Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon and Mastercard. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.