Summer stocks are companies that thrive in the summertime. A theme park company is a good example of a summer stock because amusement parks are generally packed with crowds from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Even though these companies may seem like seasonal stock picks, they're capable of generating returns on a long-term basis.
Top summer stocks of 2026
Let's take a closer look at summer stocks to consider adding to your portfolio:
| Name and ticker | Market cap | Dividend yield | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) | $9.4 billion | 1.96% | Distributors |
| Brookfield Renewable (NYSE:BEPC) | $7.5 billion | 3.55% | Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers |
| Home Depot (NYSE:HD) | $379.4 billion | 2.41% | Specialty Retail |
| Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL) | $89.0 billion | 1.07% | Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure |
| Celsius (NASDAQ:CELH) | $13.0 billion | 0.00% | Beverages |
| Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) | $46.0 billion | 0.96% | Airlines |
| Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) | $184.8 billion | 1.20% | Entertainment |
1. Pool Corp
NASDAQ: POOL
Key Data Points
There's no more fitting summertime stock than Pool Corp. True to its name, Pool Corp. is a leading wholesale distributor of swimming pool equipment, parts, supplies, and related outdoor living products.
Revenue and net income for Pool Corp. have been flat recently. The slump is in part due to high interest rates, making consumers reluctant to finance expensive home projects, such as installing a pool. But rates are cooling off, and there’s still a lot to like about Pool Corp. as an investment.
It's one of the top companies in the swimming pool industry. Pool Corp. manages its money well and pays a solid dividend that has consistently increased year after year.
Pool installations also tend to lead to long-term business. Pool Corp. reports that about 60% of consumer spending in the pool industry is for maintenance and repairs. This stock has also gotten the attention of the legendary Warren Buffett, who invested through Berkshire Hathaway.
2. Brookfield Renewable
NYSE: BEPC
Key Data Points
Solar energy stocks often receive a boost when the weather warms up. Brookfield Renewable operates a diverse portfolio of renewable energy facilities, with more than 8,000 power-generating facilities across 25 countries. These include solar farms, wind farms, and hydropower facilities.
Brookfield sells most of its renewable energy through long-term contracts with corporations and utility companies. This provides a stable source of income, and Brookfield rewards shareholders with a hefty dividend.
There’s considerable demand for renewable energy, and it is expected to continue growing. Many states have set clean energy targets for the coming years. With its current production capabilities and a focus on acquisition opportunities, Brookfield has great upside potential.
3. Home Depot
NYSE: HD
Key Data Points
Home Depot consistently posts its biggest revenue numbers during the summer months, when many people work on their homes. In the second quarter of its fiscal 2025, which ended on Aug. 3, 2025, it recorded $45.3 billion in sales. That represented a year-over-year increase of 4.9% and a 13.6% increase from the previous quarter.
It followed that with $41.4 billion in sales in the third quarter, which ended on Nov. 3, 2025, covering the late summer and early fall. That was a 2.8% year-over-year increase.
Since Home Depot has a dominant position in the market, it generally delivers solid, if unspectacular, returns. It’s also resilient, having been able to maintain sales even during economic downturns.
As the largest home improvement retailer, Home Depot is well positioned to continue growing and is one of the safer investments to hold. The company's stock is also well suited for dividend investors, as Home Depot has increased its dividend for over a decade.
4. Royal Caribbean Cruises
NYSE: RCL
Key Data Points
Summer is generally the busiest time of year for major cruise lines. Royal Caribbean Cruises is one of the largest cruise companies, operating five brands, a fleet of nearly 70 ships, and itineraries to all seven continents.
Royal Caribbean has always prided itself on being innovative and unique, with a focus on creating one-of-a-kind experiences on its ships. That has made it a hit with passengers, as Travel Weekly readers voted it the best cruise line for over 20 consecutive years.
This cruise company has experienced record-breaking demand, with revenue for the first nine months of 2025 reaching $13.7 billion, a year-over-year increase of 7%. Net income growth was even better, jumping 51% to $3.5 billion.
5. Celsius
NASDAQ: CELH
Key Data Points
Celsius Holdings is a beverage company focusing on fitness and energy drinks. Product lines include CELSIUS and CELSIUS ESSENTIALS drinks, as well as powder stick packets.
Beverage companies often see increased sales in the summer. Warmer weather and increased outdoor activities mean a higher demand for cold drinks.
Celsius has stood out from other energy drinks by targeting fitness enthusiasts and individuals who lead active lifestyles. That move has paid off so far, as the company's sales skyrocketed last summer. In the third quarter of 2025, Celsius reported $725.1 million in revenue, representing a 173% year-over-year increase.
Fiscal Quarter
6. Delta Air Lines
NYSE: DAL
Key Data Points
Most airline stocks are solid picks for the summer, as it's the busiest season for air travel. That's especially true now after several years of increasing travel demand.
Among the major carriers, Delta is a strong long-term play because it has plenty of international routes and hubs in multiple major cities. Delta is also recognized for its exceptional customer service, consistently ranking near or at the top of the J.D. Power ratings for customer satisfaction.
Delta has partnered with American Express (AXP -0.21%) since 1996, and the companies offer several co-branded credit cards. The partnership adds another source of revenue and helps to further boost customer loyalty.
7. Walt Disney Company
NYSE: DIS
Key Data Points
With a long history of blockbuster movies and family-friendly theme parks worldwide, The Walt Disney Company has consistently been one of the top summer stocks to buy.
Disney owns several of the top film production companies, including Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and Pixar, and it strategically schedules many of its tentpole films during the summer blockbuster season.
Summer vacation is a popular time of year for Disney's parks and resorts, but Disney isn't wholly reliant on the summer season. Its diverse revenue streams allow it to thrive even during colder weather.
Disney+, in particular, has been a big winner for the company's media and entertainment segment. That's not its only streaming service, either. It also owns ESPN+ and Hulu.
Benefits of investing in summer stocks
The primary benefit of investing in summer stocks is that your portfolio could outperform during the summer months. The stock market often goes through a lull in the summer. Adding some summer stocks could help counteract that.
Summer stocks can also be a good way to diversify your portfolio, especially since there are options across a variety of industries. Diversification helps reduce risk and can result in outsize returns if any of the summer stocks you pick take off.
How to invest in summer stocks
Once you know which summer stocks you want to invest in, here's how to do it:
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
How to choose summer stocks
Here's how to find winning summer stocks for your portfolio:
- Look for industries with increased summer demand. Examples include outdoor and recreation, travel and leisure, hospitality, and food and beverage.
- Pick out industry leaders. Companies at the top of their respective industries -- such as Home Depot for home improvement and Pool Corp. for pools -- tend to have significant competitive advantages that make them strong investments.
- Review financial statements. Analyze a company's financial performance and check if sales increase during the summer.
Related investing topics
Should you invest in summer stocks?
Investors have historically been cautioned against investing during the summer months. The well-known adage to "sell in May and go away" is based on expectations for muted gains when the weather is nice.
In recent years, the stock market has performed well throughout the summer. The season is a crucial time for many businesses, making it worthwhile to consider adding high-quality summer stocks to your portfolio.
FAQ
Investing in summer stocks: FAQ
About the Author
