Which 3 Speculative Stocks Could Deliver Outsized Returns in 2026? A Kevin James Meme-Level Betting Guide

Speculative stocks driven by social media momentum have become a fixture in modern investing. These highly volatile securities often experience dramatic price swings that rival the unpredictability of a kevin james meme—sudden, exaggerated, and capable of catching everyone off guard. The GameStop phenomenon of 2021 was the watershed moment, though that stock has retreated more than 30% in the current year despite experiencing multiple sharp rallies and selloffs.

The volatility of meme-driven equities creates both opportunities and pitfalls. Beyond Meat provides a cautionary tale: its shares soared from $0.50 to above $7 in just seven days before collapsing back to around $1. Yet not all such stocks are pure speculation. Some possess genuine business fundamentals that analysts believe could fuel substantial gains in 2026. Here are three candidates that institutional experts have identified as potentially rewarding bets.

Rivian Automotive: The EV Play With AI Upside

Rivian Automotive (RIVN) has navigated considerable price volatility throughout 2025, yet the stock has managed to advance roughly 10% year-to-date. The company’s long-term trajectory caught the attention of Ivan Feinseth, Chief Investment Officer at Tigress Financial Partners, who raised his price target to $25 per share based on Rivian’s strategic technological investments.

The thesis centers on Rivian’s aggressive push into artificial intelligence and autonomous driving capabilities. According to Feinseth, “The company’s investments in software, AI and driver-assist features could improve safety and open the door to future upgrade revenue.” This represents a meaningful shift in how investors should evaluate the business—not just as a traditional automaker, but as a technology innovator within the transportation sector.

The broader autonomous vehicle market remains in its infancy, though Alphabet’s Waymo has established an early lead with highway-capable self-driving systems. Rivian’s current hands-off driving features on certain highways suggest the company is developing competitive positioning in this space. Continuous software upgrades could unlock recurring revenue streams historically unavailable to traditional automotive manufacturers.

Krispy Kreme: Bargain Valuation Amid Expansion

Krispy Kreme (DNUT) endured a punishing year, with shares declining over 50% from their 2025 peak. However, Sara Senatore, Senior Research Analyst at Bank of America, maintained a “Buy” rating, arguing that the market has mispriced the company’s growth trajectory. Senatore stated: “Given the robust double-digit growth profile of its top line and earnings, we believe Krispy Kreme should trade at a premium consistent with its faster growth and higher returns.”

Recent quarterly earnings data provide concrete evidence supporting this contrarian view. Organic sales grew 0.6% year-over-year in Q3, while international revenue surged 7.3% during the same period. More significantly, net losses narrowed, indicating improving operational efficiency. The company’s international refranchising strategy aims to accelerate sales expansion globally.

The most compelling growth avenue remains domestic expansion. Management targets expanding from approximately 3,750 access points to 8,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada within the coming years. This aggressive footprint expansion, combined with strengthening unit economics, provides multiple catalysts for valuation re-rating.

Carvana: The Survivor Story

Carvana (CVNA) represents a striking counterexample to the typical meme stock collapse narrative. The used vehicle retailer’s shares have climbed more than 60% in 2025, yet analyst Chris Pierce at Needham believes additional upside remains. Pierce credits the company’s investments in physical infrastructure and proprietary technology: “Carvana Co’s significant investment in its physical real estate and proprietary software has created a strong competitive moat.”

Pierce’s $500 price target reflects confidence in the company’s execution capability. The numbers vindicate this optimism. Third-quarter revenue climbed 55% year-over-year, while net income nearly doubled. The company achieved a $20 billion annual revenue run rate for the first time in its history. Unit sales reached approximately 156,000 rental units, representing 44% year-over-year growth.

These metrics demonstrate that Carvana has transitioned from pure speculation to a company with tangible operational momentum and market share gains within the competitive used vehicle segment.

The Investment Takeaway

While meme stocks carry inherent speculative risk, these three examples illustrate how companies can graduate from social media darling status to fundamental value propositions. Each possesses analyst-identified catalysts—technological innovation, valuation recovery, and operational execution—that could drive meaningful returns in 2026 for risk-tolerant investors.