2026 Will Be a Turning Point for Consumer Internet and E-Commerce
Wedbush Securities forecasts that 2026 will be a decisive year for consumer internet companies, with the gap between winners and losers widening. The firm states that this shift will occur due to artificial intelligence (AI) monetization, the disruption caused by autonomous vehicles, and investors’ closer evaluation of sustained investment cycles in the sector.
Wedbush Securities forecasts that 2026 will be a decisive year for consumer internet companies, with the gap between winners and losers widening. The firm states that this shift will occur due to artificial intelligence (AI) monetization, the disruption caused by autonomous vehicles, and investors’ closer evaluation of sustained investment cycles in the sector.
Wedbush analysts predict that 2026 will clearly mark a year of “winners” and “losers” for the consumer internet sector. The report highlights that 2025 delivered solid performance for the group, with an average return of 23% for the covered universe, compared to the Nasdaq Index’s return of about 19%.
With new technologies and investment priorities being examined more closely, Wedbush believes that sharper differentiation will take place in 2026. The firm expects investors to focus on topics like disruption from autonomous vehicles (AVs), AI monetization in consumer products, ongoing investment cycles, and the growing adoption of agency AI.
The report states, “We believe 2026 will be the year of winners and losers as investors discuss various issues such as disruption from autonomous vehicles (AVs), AI monetization in consumer products, ongoing investment cycles, and increasing adoption of agency AI.”
Top Picks for 2026: Amazon, Meta, MercadoLibre, and DoorDash
Wedbush ranks Amazon.com, Meta Platforms, MercadoLibre, and DoorDash Inc. as the best picks for 2026. These companies are expected to benefit from ongoing changes in the sector.
For Amazon, Wedbush continues to call it the “best e-commerce pick” as it enters 2026, citing renewed confidence in the company’s AI strategy and improvements in its cloud and retail operations. Analysts stated, “Following a renewed acceleration in AWS growth and positive comments from last quarter, we believe investors have regained confidence in management’s ability to maintain its leadership position in AI.”
Wedbush expects a strong year for Amazon Web Services (AWS), considering it a major driving force for Amazon’s stock throughout the year. The firm also highlighted the continued strength of Amazon’s core retail business, noting that consumer-focused AI tools are generating additional sales. Wedbush anticipates margin expansion in 2026, supported by improved fulfillment efficiencies and a higher mix of more profitable advertising and AWS revenues.
Wedbush also highlighted MercadoLibre as a top choice while it goes through its current investment cycle, focusing on its demand trends, competition in key markets, logistics and sales investments, spending increases, and the company’s ability to manage risks while scaling its credit operations.
For Meta Platforms, Wedbush believes it remains the top advertising pick for 2026 due to the resilience of the company’s digital ad trends and the continued adoption of Advantage+ tools. The firm noted encouraging progress from newer monetization channels, despite investors’ cautious outlook on increased AI and infrastructure spending.
DoorDash: A Strong Mobility Pick for 2026
Wedbush ranks DoorDash as the best mobility pick for 2026, emphasizing the company’s leadership position in the U.S. food delivery market and its practices in new ventures. While the firm anticipates higher short-term spending will pressure margins, it also notes that these investments are expanding DoorDash’s global total addressable market and supporting long-term growth.