Three Meme Stock Picks Poised For Rally: RIVN, DNUT, and CVNA Lead 2026 Watchlist

Meme stocks continue to dominate market conversations with their explosive price swings and social media-driven momentum. Since GameStop’s parabolic surge in 2021, retail investors and analysts alike have tracked these volatile assets for potential breakout opportunities. While some meme stocks implode after their initial hype—like Beyond Meat’s crash from $7 to $1 per share—others demonstrate genuine business fundamentals beneath the surface buzz. As we head into 2026, market strategists are identifying three names with solid growth metrics and bullish analyst backing.

Rivian Automotive (RIVN): AI Innovation Could Drive EV Valuation Higher

Electric vehicle plays remain at the forefront of meme stock speculation, but Rivian stands out for its technology roadmap. The stock has climbed over 10% year-to-date despite sector volatility, catching the attention of institutional investors.

Tigress Financial Partners’ chief investment officer Ivan Feinseth sees significant upside potential. His thesis centers on Rivian’s artificial intelligence initiatives and autonomous driving features. “The company’s software and AI-powered driver-assist capabilities represent a major upgrade revenue opportunity,” Feinseth stated while raising his price target to $25 per share.

Rivian’s competitive position in self-driving technology mirrors industry leaders like Waymo. The company already enables hands-off highway driving and continues refining its autonomous capabilities. This positions RIVN as a potential outperformer if autonomous vehicle adoption accelerates.

Krispy Kreme (DNUT): Rebound Play With International Expansion Tailwinds

Krispy Kreme shareholders suffered heavy losses in 2025, with the stock down over 50% from recent peaks. However, Bank of America analyst Sara Senatore recently reaffirmed her “Buy” rating, citing the company’s robust growth trajectory.

“Krispy Kreme deserves a valuation premium given its double-digit growth rates and expanding margins,” Senatore explained to clients. She highlighted the retailer’s aggressive expansion strategy—potentially scaling from 3,750 to 8,000 locations across North America in coming years.

Recent Q3 earnings reinforced the turnaround narrative. Organic sales grew 0.6% year-over-year while international revenue jumped 7.3%. The company’s refranchising strategy in emerging markets is narrowing net losses and positioning DNUT for accelerated profitability.

Carvana (CVNA): From Meme Status to Legitimate Growth Story

Unlike many meme stocks that crash and burn, Carvana has delivered genuine results. CVNA shares gained over 60% in 2025, and Needham analyst Chris Pierce sees further upside ahead. His $500 price target reflects confidence in the company’s competitive moat.

“Carvana’s real estate infrastructure and proprietary software have created defensible advantages,” Pierce noted in his research update. The used-car retailer’s financial performance validates the thesis: Q3 revenue surged 55% year-over-year, while net income nearly doubled. The company crossed a $20 billion annualized revenue run rate—a milestone that underscores its transition from speculative play to legitimate growth enterprise.

Unit sales climbed 44% year-over-year to 156,000 vehicles, demonstrating both retail demand and operational scaling. This combination of explosive growth metrics and legitimate business models distinguishes CVNA from typical meme stock volatility.

The Meme Stock Evolution: Data Over Hype

These three names embody the emerging pattern in meme stock investing: companies with sound fundamentals and execution capability can transcend their speculative origins. While kevin meme culture continues to drive retail interest in volatile assets, 2026 may reward those stocks backed by genuine revenue acceleration and margin expansion. Investors monitoring RIVN, DNUT, and CVNA should focus on quarterly earnings and guidance updates as the real catalysts for sustained price appreciation.