Jasmine Birtles
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6 Trending Stocks to Watch in October 2026
Moneymagpie Team
15th Oct 2026
October is a busy month for investors. Company results are about to land, interest rate worries are shaking markets, and the AI boom is still the biggest story in tech. That means plenty of shares are in the headlines, for good reasons and bad ones.
Below are six trending stocks to watch this month: Harmonic, Verizon, Moderna, NetEase, Micron Technology and AstraZeneca. For each you’ll find what the company does, why it’s in the news and the main risk to keep in mind. This is a watchlist to research, not a shopping list.
Five of the six trade on US exchanges, so UK investors usually buy them through an investing platform that offers US shares, where currency conversion fees may apply.
1. Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU)
What it is: Micron makes memory chips, the kind of computer “short-term memory” that AI data centres need in huge quantities.
Why it’s trending: on 30 September it reported record results for its fiscal fourth quarter (the three months to 3 September). Revenue was $54.23 billion, up from $11.32 billion a year earlier, and net income came in at $37.7 billion on a GAAP basis (the official accounting measure). It guided to $61.5 billion of revenue next quarter. The company says long-term supply agreements with big customers add confidence in demand.
Key risk: memory is a boom-and-bust industry. When supply catches up with demand, prices can fall quickly, and after a run like this, expectations are very high.
Also read: Best chip stocks for UK investors in 2026
2. Verizon (NYSE: VZ)
What it is: one of America’s biggest mobile and broadband providers.
Why it’s trending: it reports third-quarter results on Monday 26 October. In July it posted record adjusted EBITDA (a measure of operating profit) of $13.7 billion, its best quarter of phone customer growth in five years for its consumer arm, and raised its 2026 guidance. It also lifted its share buyback target to up to $4.5 billion.
Key risk: revenue was down 0.7% year on year, telecoms is a slow-growth, debt-heavy business, and the results date could move the share price either way.
3. Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA)
What it is: a biotech company that pioneered mRNA vaccines.
Why it’s trending: in August the US FDA approved its mRNA flu vaccine for adults aged 50 and over, described as the first of its kind. Late-stage trials showed 26.6% higher relative efficacy than standard flu shots. It is a big step for a company that has been hunting for life after Covid.
Key risk: Moderna is not yet profitable, pays no dividend, and the shares had already fallen roughly 35% from early July by the time of the approval. Sales depend on how many people take up the new vaccine this flu season.
4. NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES)
What it is: a Chinese video game and online services company behind titles such as Fantasy Westward Journey, Identity V and Where Winds Meet, and publisher of Marvel Rivals.
Why it’s trending: second-quarter revenue rose 7.9% to RMB30.1 billion (about $4.4 billion), with games up 9.7%. Its big upcoming title Ananta is described as on track in development, and Morgan Stanley said in late September it could drive 2027 growth.
Key risk: profit fell. Net income attributable to shareholders dropped to RMB7.0 billion from RMB8.6 billion a year earlier. Chinese stocks also carry regulatory and political risks, and gaming relies on hits.
5. Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT)
What it is: a smaller US tech company supplying broadband and video technology to cable operators and broadcasters.
Why it’s trending: in August it beat earnings expectations ($0.24 per share versus $0.17 expected), with revenue up 53.5% year on year. Its next results are expected around 2 November.
Key risk: it is a small company (a market value of around $1.1 billion) and the shares are volatile. They closed at $10.01 on 14 October after dropping nearly 5% that day, in a 52-week range of $8.47 to $17.68. Analysts’ consensus is “Hold”, and it posted a net loss over the past twelve months.
6. AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN)
What it is: a UK-listed global pharmaceutical giant and a FTSE 100 member.
Why it’s trending: according to interactive investor, it was among the most-bought shares by its customers in the week to 2 October as the price sat near a one-year low. It is also investing $2 billion in Summit Therapeutics, making it that company’s second-largest shareholder, and Jefferies kept a 17,500p price target.
Key risk: drug developers rely on trial results and patents, and a share that looks cheap can stay cheap. Buying UK shares also normally means 0.5% stamp duty.
Also read: Best healthcare ETFs to buy in 2026
How to research a trending stock (without getting burned)
- Separate the story from the price. A brilliant company can still be an expensive share.
- Check the next results date. Verizon reports on 26 October and Harmonic around 2 November. Prices often move sharply on results.
- Look at risk, not just reward. Each stock above has a “key risk” for a reason.
- Size your bets. Many beginners keep individual shares to a small slice of their portfolio and hold a broad index fund as the core.
What to do next
- Pick one or two names that interest you and read the company’s latest results release on its investor relations page.
- Write down why you would buy, what could go wrong and what would make you sell.
- Check the platform you use offers the share, and look at its dealing and currency fees before you buy.
- Consider drip-feeding small amounts instead of investing a lump sum.
- Use your Stocks & Shares ISA allowance where you can, so gains and dividends are free from UK tax.
Start small, be patient, and remember that a trending stock today can be yesterday’s news by the end of the month.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not regulated financial advice. Investing involves risk, and the value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you could get back less than you put in. Mentioning a company is not a recommendation to buy or sell it. Do your own research or speak to a regulated financial adviser. Figures are from company releases and market reports as of 14–15 October 2026 and can change quickly.
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