
Would you like to earn money while doing absolutely nothing? When you put the stock market to work for you, your money multiplies while you're free to concentrate on your hobbies, passions, and relationships. It's an inviting prospect, but jumping into the stock market can be intimidating to a first-time investor. The market is volatile, and one bad day for a company can wipe out months of gains.
Fortunately, there are safe, cost-effective stocks likely to deliver an impressive return on your initial investment. Whether you're a veteran investor or just dipping your toe in the stock market, these ten stocks to buy are your best bet. Here at Business Cafe, we present this in-depth look at the top ten stocks to buy in 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Stock
What is the Best Way to Make My Initial Investment in the Stock Market?
How do I Know What Companies Are the Best Investments?
How Much Work Do I Need to put into Maintaining My Investments?
When is the Time to Sell My Stocks?
Are These Stocks Affordable for a First-Time Investor?
How We Reviewed The Best Stocks to Buy
The following stocks were reviewed based on the following parameters - affordability, reputation, business model, long-term stability, and a chance for growth.
Overall Price Range Of This Product
The price of stocks varies dramatically. These ten stocks range from $32 a share for Twitter to over $1,800 a share for Amazon (the world's biggest company). A higher-priced stock will get you in on a share of a massive success if you think there's still room to grow, but it's a bigger up-front risk.
What We Reviewed
Exxon Mobil

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Features
Exxon Mobil is one of the most powerful and successful energy companies in the world today, an American multinational oil and gas company. It produces almost four million barrels of oil daily. Although Exxon Mobil has been locked into largely the same range in the market for a decade, it is a good bet to buy now due to its shares being at their lowest point in over two years.
Pros
Cons
PRICE |
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$80 |
Microsoft

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The company synonymous with home computers has dominated the market since the 1980s and has shown no real signs of slowing down. Its focus on affordable computers for the everyday consumer has ensured it dominates the market over its higher-profile competitors like Apple. In 2018, Microsoft has risen 22%, well above the S&P's average gain. As they transition to a cloud-centric business model and incorporate brands like Azure, Dynamics 365, and Office 365, they are primed to continue their growth.
Pros
Cons
PRICE |
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less than
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Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

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One of the oldest franchise restaurants in the world, this New York-based hot dog vendor has gone from a Coney Island stand to one of the most well-known brands in the market. That long history of success has made it a safe bet even in a highly competitive restaurant market. Nathan's Famous stock has dipped almost 25% in recent months but has shown signs of rebounding. This always-safe brand is at a prime time to buy and is in a less competitive space in the restaurant market compared to pizza and burger chains.
Pros
Cons
PRICE |
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$90 |
Intuit

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Features
Intuit is a business and financial software company that designs and sells accounting and tax preparation software and provides services for small businesses and individuals. Its biggest product is TurboTax software, and ninety-five percent of its business comes from the United States. Its income and revenue have been increasing by double digits every year, and management continues to predict double-digit gains in 2018. A relatively new company, Intuit's potential is boundless.
Pros
Cons
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Intuit shares can be bought on Etrade $210 |
Salesforce

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Salesforce.com, Inc is an American cloud computing company based in San Francisco, California. It primarily earns its money through a customer relationship management product, but also sells its commercial applications of social networking via acquisition and internal development. Founded in 1999, it is growing fast and is up 45% in 2018 due to its shift to a Cloud-based format. It has an excellent reputation among its workers, named the #1 company to work for by Fortune Magazine. Management's projections for 2018 are for another year of double-digit growth.
Pros
Cons
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Salesforce shares can currently be bought on Etrade for approximately $145 |
Amazon

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Features
This powerhouse online sales company continues to grow by leaps and bounds, boasting a 54% increase in year-to-date stock prices. Jeff Bezos' company continues to make aggressive moves in the world of entertainment streaming, grocery shopping (including the acquisition of Whole Foods), and expansion into international markets.
Although its fast growth and massive size have caused public debate among politicians about whether it should be broken up, its heavily diversified business model means it is free of any antitrust concerns. Its fast delivery and convenience factor are quickly making a part of everyday life for most Americans, making it a safe bet to continue growing - and one of the highest-ticket stocks in the market.
Pros
Cons
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Amazon shares are available on Etrade for approximately $1,800 |
Shopify

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Shopify is a fast-growing Canadian e-commerce platform, best known for its proprietary platform for online stores and its partnerships with independent merchants. This has allowed the company to host over 600,000 merchants, with gross merchandise volume exceeding $55 billion. 2017 was a year of massive growth for Shopify, and many expected a minor downturn in 2018. Instead, the company has boasted an impressive 66% increase in year-to-date share price for 2018. Management has revised targeted sales upwards and expects the trend to continue.
Pros
Cons
PRICE |
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Shopify shares can be found on Etrade for approximately $140 |
Teladoc

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Features
Teladoc is a telehealth company that uses video and telephone technology to provide on-demand medical services via electronic devices and the internet. It is credited with changing healthcare by allowing consultations and examinations with specialists that are not on site. Since going public in 2015, it has made seven acquisitions of rival companies in the healthcare industry and is on our list of stocks to buy because its share price has been surging. In 2018 alone its stock has risen 88% year-to-date, and the company boasts aggressive plans for the rest of the year.
Pros
Cons
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Shares of Teladoc are available for under on Etrade $70 |

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Features
Although the social media company known for its strict character limits and quotable tweets has been in the news a lot, (and rarely for the best reasons) it remains one powerhouse of online communication, and its stock prices match. That's why it is on our list of stocks to buy. Boasting an impressive 89% gain in year-to-year share price, it is one of the most affordable entry-level stocks and makes a solid choice for anyone with faith in the longevity of social media.
Pros
Cons
PRICE |
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Twitter shares are available on Etrade for around $30 |
Square

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Features
When determining which stocks to buy one must not overlook the financial services company Square, co-founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, who has been praised for revolutionizing how credit card payments are processed. Their proprietary chip reader technology is installed in stores around the United States, and the company is quickly expanding across the English-language world and Japan. They have just announced a new platform for restaurants to process payments. Their stock is up 94% year-to-year and shows no sign of slowing down. Much of their technology is proprietary, protecting them from competition in the highly competitive financial services market.
Pros
Cons
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Square shares can be purchased on Etrade for approximately $70 |
The Verdict
All of these companies are providing a good bang for your buck in the stock market. They're the cream of the crop when it comes to the best stocks to buy, with strong forecasts and a solid place in their industry. However, if you're looking for the best bet for future growth and market stability, this site's pick is Square, Inc. Thanks to their technology making it easier to process payments, they're going to make their way into more industries every year. As the restaurant industry grows, so does their new platform for restaurants. At a modest $70 a share, you can get in on the ground floor of one of the most forward-thinking corporations in the country - Square, Inc.