Top 5 Stocks to Buy Today — August 17, 2026 Watchlist
Published August 17, 2026 · daily research watchlist · methodology · see today's watchlist
Every trading day, our model works through 500+ US stocks and pulls out the five with the strongest mix of catalysts, chart setup, and analyst sentiment. This is the short-term momentum watchlist — entries are tracked until an upside or downside level is reached, typically within a month. Here's the full list for August 17, 2026 — and, more importantly, the reasoning behind each one. Looking for a longer-horizon watchlist instead? See the Undervalued watchlist.
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| # | Stock | Price | Day | Score | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Quanta Services PWR |
$722.31 | +5.33% | 82 | Medium |
| 2 |  Interactive Brokers Group IBKR |
$94.33 | +2.47% | 86 | Low |
| 3 |  Amgen AMGN |
$419.38 | +1.00% | 76 | Low |
| 4 |  Phillips 66 PSX |
$240.55 | +2.97% | 93 | Low |
| 5 |  Devon Energy DVN |
$47.57 | +3.75% | 81 | Low |
VIX is at 15.2, the Fear & Greed index sits at 31 — Fear.
#1 — Quanta Services (PWR)
$722.31 +5.33% · Construction · Large Cap · Score 82 · Medium risk
Model monitoring · members only
Upside level $••• · Downside level $••• · Typical holding period: under 1 month
Upgrade to see the published model levels and monitoring details for this pick. See member plans
The model puts Quanta Services at 82, medium risk, up 5.3% today.
What stands out is the combination of a 82 model score and a stock that is up 5.3% today. The medium risk label is part of the story too: this is a name that can move quickly, so the signal deserves context beyond the headline.
On the chart, RSI is at 75, an overbought reading and the stock is outperforming the S&P 500 on relative strength.
Why now: SEC EDGAR shows a recent 8-K filed on August 6, 2026, adding a fresh company-specific disclosure to the setup.
Why it's here: Quanta Services rallied 5.3% today, and analysts rate it a strong buy.
#2 — Interactive Brokers Group (IBKR)
$94.33 +2.47% · Financial Services · Large Cap · Score 86 · Low risk
Model monitoring · members only
Upside level $••• · Downside level $••• · Typical holding period: under 1 month
Upgrade to see the published model levels and monitoring details for this pick. See member plans
🔒 The full IBKR breakdown — thesis, chart read, key numbers, and catalysts — is in the member edition. See member plans
#3 — Amgen (AMGN)
$419.38 +1.00% · Biotechnology · Mega Cap · Score 76 · Low risk
Model monitoring · members only
Upside level $••• · Downside level $••• · Typical holding period: under 1 month
Upgrade to see the published model levels and monitoring details for this pick. See member plans
🔒 The full AMGN breakdown — thesis, chart read, key numbers, and catalysts — is in the member edition. See member plans
#4 — Phillips 66 (PSX)
$240.55 +2.97% · Energy · Large Cap · Score 93 · Low risk
Model monitoring · members only
Upside level $••• · Downside level $••• · Typical holding period: under 1 month
Upgrade to see the published model levels and monitoring details for this pick. See member plans
🔒 The full PSX breakdown — thesis, chart read, key numbers, and catalysts — is in the member edition. See member plans
#5 — Devon Energy (DVN)
$47.57 +3.75% · Energy · Large Cap · Score 81 · Low risk
Model monitoring · members only
Upside level $••• · Downside level $••• · Typical holding period: under 1 month
Upgrade to see the published model levels and monitoring details for this pick. See member plans
🔒 The full DVN breakdown — thesis, chart read, key numbers, and catalysts — is in the member edition. See member plans
🔒 Members also see: entry, upside & downside reference levels · RSI and moving-average read · analyst price targets · full score breakdown. Free daily email · Member plans
Top 5 Crypto Watchlist — August 17, 2026
From our sister channel @Top5CryptoDaily. Research watchlist only — crypto is highly volatile. See the full crypto watchlist article.
#1 — Zcash (ZEC)
$508.80 +5.20% 24h · +0.40% 7d · $8.6B market cap · Score 71 · Moderate risk
Zcash is showing real momentum: the chart is tightening up, which can precede a bigger move and the MACD has just turned positive.
Another reason Zcash made the list: upside move.
#2 — Ethereum (ETH)
$1,894.88 +1.00% 24h · -1.20% 7d · $228.7B market cap · Score 69 · Moderate risk
The strongest signals for Ethereum include the chart is tightening up, which can precede a bigger move and the protocol has about $41.4B in value locked.
Another reason Ethereum made the list: accumulation.
#3 — Hyperliquid (HYPE)
$58.91 +3.30% 24h · +7.80% 7d · $13.1B market cap · Score 66 · Moderate risk
What stands out for Hyperliquid is the chart is tightening up, which can precede a bigger move and the protocol has about $1.3B in value locked.
Another reason Hyperliquid made the list: upside move.
#4 — Chainlink (LINK)
$9.50 +1.70% 24h · +14.90% 7d · $7.1B market cap · Score 66 · Moderate risk
The case for Chainlink starts with trading volume is running at about 3.5x its usual level and it is up 15% over the past month.
Another reason Chainlink made the list: needs confirmation.
#5 — Bitcoin (BTC)
$63,427.00 +0.90% 24h · -2.50% 7d · $1.3T market cap · Score 65 · High-risk
Bitcoin is on the list because the protocol has about $3.5B in value locked and about $114380M is open in perpetual futures.
Another reason Bitcoin made the list: needs confirmation.
Previous watchlists: August 18, 2026 · August 14, 2026 · August 13, 2026 · August 12, 2026 · August 11, 2026 · August 10, 2026 · August 7, 2026 · August 6, 2026 · August 5, 2026 · August 4, 2026 · August 3, 2026 · July 21, 2026 · July 17, 2026 · July 16, 2026