If you have $1,000 to invest right now, you may be wondering where to get started. You could buy stocks that are flying high and try to get in on the momentum, or you could look for bargains among stocks that have suffered in recent times. You also might consider buying shares of a company with important catalysts on the horizon that could push those shares higher.
Well, the good news is with $1,000 or even less, you can get in on all three types of stocks. I'm thinking of a technology leader with plenty of room to run, a beaten-down retailer that's well-positioned to win over the long run, and an up-and-coming biotech company working in one of the hottest growth areas. And if you invest in all three, you'll also be adding diversification to your portfolio -- a move that could lower risk and maximize gains over time.
Let's check out the best stocks to invest in right now.
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1. Nvidia
Nvidia (NVDA +2.33%) has been a winner for investors over the past two years -- and though the first half of 2025 included some rocky moments, the stock finished the period with a 17% gain. And there's reason to be optimistic about this company, both in the near term and over the long term.
Nvidia leads the artificial intelligence (AI) chip market and also sells a full portfolio of products and services that AI customers need to develop AI platforms and apply them to their businesses. This means the company is likely to benefit as today's multibillion-dollar AI market grows into the trillions a few years down the road.
NASDAQ: NVDA
Key Data Points
What also supports this point is Nvidia's commitment to innovation. The tech giant has pledged to update its graphics processing units (GPUs) -- the high-powered chips that fuel AI -- annually, and already has shared concrete plans to do so through 2028. Its recent rollout of the Blackwell architecture and chip was immensely successful, with Blackwell generating $11 billion in its first quarter on the market.
On top of this, Nvidia is highly profitable, with a strong cash position, so it's equipped to meet potential headwinds along the way.
Finally, trading for 36x forward earnings estimates, it remains reasonably priced for such a quality market leader.
2. Target
Target (TGT +0.68%) has experienced its share of tough times in recent years. The company has met with a variety of headwinds, such as consumers' shift toward essentials amid high inflation and theft in its stores that weighed on earnings. But Target has posted some victories too, and ones that should keep it on the path to long-term success.
For example, the company has built a strong digital presence, and customers love its pick-up and delivery options. This is driving sales growth, with digital sales in the most recent quarter climbing 4.7% even as overall sales remained sluggish. And even though total sales haven't soared from quarter to quarter in recent times, it's important to remember that Target has grown annual sales by $30 billion over about five years -- and it's kept that gain.
And now, recognizing the current growth problem, Target is taking serious action. The company recently created an "enterprise acceleration" office, or a team to help make smart decisions faster and streamline processes. This could help the company progress in the coming quarters, and the stock price could follow.
NYSE: TGT
Key Data Points
Meanwhile, investing in Target today gives you access to the company's dividend payments, offering you passive income, and your purchase of the stock at 14x forward earnings estimates looks like a real bargain for a solid long-term company.
TGT Dividend data by YCharts
3. Viking Therapeutics
Viking Therapeutics (VKTX +1.21%) is a biotech company working in an area that has proven to be the generator of blockbuster revenue: weight loss drugs. Market leaders Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have been bringing in billions of dollars in revenue from their commercialized drugs.
And now, this biotech may be moving closer to sharing that market with the pharma giants. Like Lilly's and Novo Nordisk's drugs, Viking's candidates interact with hormonal pathways that control appetite and blood sugar levels. In the real world, the pharma companies have delivered impressive results, and Viking is doing the same in clinical trials.
NASDAQ: VKTX
Key Data Points
Considering soaring demand, even with Lilly and Novo leading the market, Viking still could become very successful if it's able to complete clinical development and commercialize a weight loss drug. Right now, Viking's candidate is in phase 3 studies in injectable format, and the pill format is in phase 2 trials. The company expects to report results from the phase 2 trial in the second half of this year, which clearly could represent a catalyst for stock performance.
Viking does carry some risk, as it doesn't yet have commercialized products, so a lot is riding on the results of the current clinical trials. But if you're an aggressive investor looking for potential growth, Viking makes a great addition to your portfolio right now.
