Investing in Tomorrow's Disruptors: The Fastest-Growing Stocks in 2026

The allure of high-growth stocks in cutting-edge sectors like AI, quantum computing, and satellite technology has long captivated investors. These companies promise exponential returns but come with significant risks. Conversely, stable, undervalued growth stocks in established industries offer predictable returns and lower volatility. This analysis evaluates the potential of disruptors such as AST SpaceMobile, Rigetti Computing, and Nebius Group, while contrasting them with more mature players like Tyler Technologies, CoStar Group, and SAP.

High-Growth Disruptors: Risks and Rewards

AST SpaceMobile: Bridging the Digital DivideAST SpaceMobile's BlueBird satellite technology aims to deliver 4G/5G broadband via existing smartphones, bypassing the need for ground infrastructure. The company's revenue is projected to surge 1,200% in 2025 to $57.3 million, followed by a 311% jump in 2026 to $235.6 million. However, Q2 2025 results revealed a $1.15 million revenue shortfall and rising operating and capital expenditures, underscoring the challenges of transitioning from development to deployment. While AST's partnerships with 50+ mobile providers signal strong market potential, its path to profitability remains uncertain.

Rigetti Computing: Quantum's Uncertain DawnQuantum computing pioneer Rigetti Computing is expected to generate $7.6 million in 2025 sales, with a 169% growth forecast for 2026. Despite partnerships with Amazon and Microsoft, the company's Q3 2025 results showed revenues of $1.9 million and a $20.5 million operating loss. A $350 million equity offering in late 2025 bolstered its cash reserves to $575 million, but execution risks persist as it scales its quantum stack. Rigetti's progress-such as achieving 99.5% two-qubit gate fidelity-demonstrates technical promise, yet commercialization remains years away.

Nebius Group: Fueling the AI Infrastructure BoomNebius Group, a key player in AI infrastructure, is projected to see a 373% revenue surge in 2025 to $556 million, followed by a 521% jump to $3.45 billion in 2026. Its contracts with Microsoft and Meta highlight the insatiable demand for AI compute resources. However, Q4 2024 results revealed a $114.2 million loss despite $363.3 million in TTM revenue. Nebius's aggressive expansion plans, including data center growth and power capacity acquisitions, face headwinds from open-source competition.

Stable, Undervalued Growth Stocks: The Bedrock of Portfolios

Tyler Technologies: SaaS ResilienceTyler Technologies reported Q3 2025 revenue of $595.9 million, a 9.7% year-over-year increase, with SaaS revenue surging 20% to $199.8 million. Its 10.7% ARR growth and 86% recurring revenue mix reflect strong operational discipline. However, its P/E ratio of 61.17-well above the Technology sector average of 31.48-raises questions about valuation sustainability. Tyler's strategic R&D investments and AI partnerships position it as a long-term winner, albeit with less explosive growth than disruptors.

CoStar Group: Real Estate Data DominanceCoStar Group's Q3 2025 revenue rose 20.4% to $833.6 million, driven by its Homes.com segment's 92% net new bookings growth. Despite a GAAP net loss of $0.07 per share, its forward P/E ratio of 54.34 and TTM gross margin of 79.15% highlight its premium positioning. The company's P/B ratio of 8.11 suggests market confidence in its data moat, though its valuation premium may deter risk-averse investors.

SAP: Cloud TransformationSAP's Q3 2025 revenue hit €9.08 billion, with cloud revenue growing 22% to €5.29 billion. Its 26% growth in Cloud ERP Suite and €18.84 billion cloud backlog underscore its leadership in enterprise software. A P/E ratio of 35.39 and P/B ratio of 5.56 position SAP as a balanced play between growth and value. However, its reliance on macroeconomic stability and competitive pressures from cloud rivals warrant caution.

Balancing the Portfolio: Risk vs. Reward

High-growth disruptors like AST SpaceMobile, Rigetti, and Nebius offer transformative potential but require tolerance for volatility and long-term horizons. For instance, Nebius's $3.45 billion 2026 revenue target hinges on sustaining its AI infrastructure contracts amid fierce competition. Conversely, Tyler, CoStar, and SAP provide more predictable returns through established business models and disciplined execution. Tyler's 10.7% ARR growth and SAP's 22% cloud revenue increase exemplify the stability of mature sectors.

Investors must weigh these options against macroeconomic trends. The AI infrastructure boom and quantum computing's nascent commercialization create tailwinds for disruptors, but rising interest rates and regulatory shifts could amplify risks. Meanwhile, stable stocks offer resilience during downturns, though their growth trajectories may lag behind.

Conclusion

The 2026 investment landscape is defined by duality: high-growth disruptors promise outsized returns but demand patience and risk tolerance, while stable stocks provide reliability in uncertain times. AST SpaceMobile, Rigetti Computing, and Nebius Group represent the cutting edge of technological innovation, yet their financial sustainability remains unproven. Tyler Technologies, CoStar Group, and SAP, by contrast, offer a more measured path to growth, anchored by recurring revenue and operational efficiency. A diversified portfolio that balances these extremes may best navigate the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow's markets.