Building wealth in the stock market is not just about timing. It is about preparation.

Markets go up and down. When prices fall, many investors want to “buy the dip,” but that is difficult if you have not already decided which companies are worth owning. A well-prepared watch list helps investors stay calm and make better decisions during market pullbacks.

Here are four strong companies I am closely watching as we move toward 2026. Some of them do not get much attention, but their businesses continue to grow.

1. Sea Limited: A Digital Leader in Southeast Asia

Sea Limited is a Singapore-based company often compared to Amazon because it operates across several major digital industries.

Its largest business, Shopee, is the biggest e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia. In the first three quarters of 2025 alone, Shopee processed 10 billion orders, with total transaction value reaching $90.6 billion. That level of activity shows how important the platform has become in the region.

Sea also runs Monee, its financial services unit. Monee provides loans to Shopee sellers and offers buy-now-pay-later options to consumers. This helps keep merchants growing and customers spending.

The third part of the business is Garena, a global gaming company behind popular titles like Free Fire and Call of Duty: Mobile.

Sea is expected to grow revenue by more than 30% in 2025, its fastest pace in four years. However, the stock is about 35% below its 52-week high, mainly due to worries about consumer spending. For long-term investors, this gap between growth and stock price is worth watching.

2. Workiva: Solving a Growing Data Problem

Large companies use many software tools every day. This often makes reporting slow and complicated.

Workiva offers a platform that connects data from accounting, cloud storage, and productivity software into one place. Managers can then use built-in templates to create reports and regulatory filings more quickly and accurately.

The company is on track to deliver record revenue in 2025, driven by strong growth from its largest customers. Even so, the stock is down about 20% this year.

Workiva also receives limited analyst coverage. Only 13 analysts track the stock, but most rate it a buy, and none recommend selling. This suggests the company may be overlooked by the wider market.

3. Douglas Elliman: Positioned for a Housing Recovery

Interest rates have been a major challenge for housing since 2023. That pressure may be easing.

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates three times in 2024 and three more times in 2025. According to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, markets expect two additional 25-basis-point cuts in 2026. Lower rates could support housing activity.

Douglas Elliman is the fifth-largest residential real estate brokerage in the U.S. It is especially strong in luxury markets such as California, New York, and Texas.

Despite a slow housing market, the company’s 6,600 agents sold $30.1 billion worth of property in the first three quarters of 2025. This puts it on track to beat its 2024 total of $36.4 billion.

The stock rose 46% in 2025, but it still trades well below its all-time high from late 2021 and is cheaper than rival Compass on a price-to-sales basis.

4. DigitalOcean: AI for Small Businesses

Artificial intelligence is likely to stay in focus through 2026, but smaller companies may benefit more than expected.

DigitalOcean provides cloud computing and AI services specifically for small and mid-sized businesses. It rents powerful GPUs from suppliers like Nvidia and AMD, allowing smaller firms to build AI tools without owning expensive hardware.

The company also offers Gradient, a cloud-based workspace that includes ready-made AI models from partners such as Anthropic.

DigitalOcean’s AI-related revenue has more than doubled year over year for five consecutive quarters. Even with this strong momentum, the stock remains relatively inexpensive, keeping it high on my watch list.

Final Thoughts

These four companies operate in different industries, but they share one thing in common: real businesses with long-term growth potential. A watch list does not mean buying immediately. It means being ready when opportunities appear.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of capital. Always conduct your own research or consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.