Investing often looks easy in hindsight.
In real time, it rarely is.
Even strong companies can take a hit. Market narratives shift, sentiment turns, and stocks that once led the way can suddenly look vulnerable. The question for investors is whether the business underneath the stock is still intact — and whether it has what it takes to get back up.
In the latest episode of Ticker Take on YouTube, I spoke with Thomas Martin, Senior Portfolio Manager at Globalt Investments, about how he thinks about those moments. His strategy is built around owning a broad list of large-cap companies designed to outpace the S&P 500 over time. But when you own a lot of names, some are going to get bruised along the way.
Martin says his process starts with identifying companies that can sustainably do well. That means growing revenues, expanding margins, and delivering earnings per share that consistently come in ahead of Wall Street expectations. As he puts it, that is where the rubber meets the road.
Sometimes a thesis comes into question. When that happens, Martin says investors have to decide whether the setback is temporary or whether it derails the long-term story. The discipline is in knowing the difference.
For companies he views as truly built to last, Martin looks for a business model with something others do not have. Examples would be a clear leadership position, a durable competitive advantage, and a culture of innovation that keeps the company one step ahead of the market. When a stock gets bid up, takes a hit, and everyone starts to wonder if the story is over, that is when the work really begins.
The goal is to separate the hiccups from the breakdowns.
With that framework in mind, here are the 12 stocks Martin highlighted as names that have been bruised but that he believes are still built to last. As always, this is not financial advice.
AppLovin (APP)
AppLovin has built a strong business in software-driven advertising and is now pushing into e-commerce, a space dominated by Meta and Google. Martin says even capturing a portion of that market could meaningfully lift its growth rate and earnings. Short reports have raised questions along the way, but he believes the company has addressed the concerns and is on its way to executing on the opportunity.
Carvana (CVNA)
Carvana’s fully online model for buying cars may not sound unique, but Martin says execution has set it apart. After a difficult stretch, management made changes that brought the company closer to its customers, improved delivery, and built a better overall experience. With the economy uncertain and sales trends moderating, the question is whether Carvana still has what it takes. Martin believes it does.
Robinhood (HOOD)
Robinhood has leaned into newer corners of investing, including crypto and event-based trading, serving an addressable market that continues to grow. The stock got bid up aggressively, and the crypto winter raised fresh concerns about the durability of the business. Martin says the growth opportunity is not going away, and he still sees it as a strong holding.
MongoDB (MDB)
MongoDB has been caught up in fears that artificial intelligence will disrupt traditional database companies. Martin says the earnings results tell a different story, with solid performance that suggests the worry is more about sentiment than fundamentals. He sees the disconnect as an opportunity.
Microsoft (MSFT)
Microsoft remains one of the most powerful companies in the world, with its partnership with OpenAI, a fast-growing cloud business, and exposure across nearly every corner of enterprise technology. Questions about its growth rate and competition will always be part of the conversation. But Martin views Microsoft as one of the biggest long-term winners and says it needs to be a core position in a portfolio.
Oracle (ORCL)
Oracle has moved well beyond its roots as a database company, going all in on data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Martin calls it a poster child for the companies that have stretched themselves with heavy investment, and that have drawn some of the sharpest market skepticism about whether the spending will pay off. He believes Oracle has the ability to deliver on those commitments and is holding on.
Palo Alto Networks (PANW)
Palo Alto Networks, along with the broader cybersecurity space, has come under pressure on concerns that AI could disrupt the industry. Martin says that question is a fair one for many companies, but he believes Palo Alto is far enough along in building its platform and integrating AI that it will come out as a winner.
Palantir (PLTR)
Palantir has captured investor imagination with large contracts across governments and corporations, and a business model that can feel mysterious but is clearly in demand. The company keeps surprising on the upside with both earnings and revenue. Martin points to its culture of deploying forward-engineers directly into the markets it serves as a competitive advantage that supports continued growth.
S&P Global (SPGI)
S&P Global has taken a hit amid broader AI-related fears, but Martin says its business is more defensible than the market is giving it credit for. The company’s data-gathering operation is proprietary, with boots on the ground collecting information that software alone cannot easily replicate. He sees that moat as accounting for most of its business and far less at risk than some investors assume.
Spotify (SPOT)
Spotify got pulled into the AI trade and the broader questions about how the creation and consumption of music might change. Martin says no one has a definitive answer about where the industry is heading, but what matters is that Spotify is not standing still. Its culture is oriented toward adapting to what customers want, and he believes the company can execute on that shift.
Uber (UBER)
Uber is often thought of as a disruptor and a category leader, but Martin says its biggest advantage is less visible: the software and logistics engine that organizes millions of rides across jurisdictions. The key concern has been whether autonomous vehicles will undermine its business. He believes Uber can use its logistics strengths to strike the right partnerships and remain sustainable as the industry evolves.
Visa (V)
Visa faces disruption risks from multiple directions, including AI and the rise of crypto and stablecoins that could reshape the rails of global payments. Martin says Visa and Mastercard are not just entrenched — they are constantly evolving. He believes Visa’s deep relationships and market leadership position it to remain a payments processor of choice and a profitable business going forward.
The Ticker Take
Every portfolio has bruises.
The harder question is whether the businesses behind those stocks still have what it takes to keep moving forward.
Martin’s approach is not about avoiding the hits. It is about owning companies with the leadership, innovation, and culture needed to absorb them — and come out stronger on the other side.
In a market full of shifting narratives and short-term noise, that willingness to stick with high-conviction names through the tough stretches may be one of the most underrated parts of long-term investing.
Jon Erlichman is a BNN Bloomberg contributor and the host of Ticker Take on YouTube.
