2 Stocks I'd Buy Without Hesitation Now

Strong Financial Performance from Key Players

Take-Two Interactive Software is showcasing impressive financial results as it prepares for the release of its highly anticipated new game. The company has been capitalizing on the growing popularity of video games, a sector that continues to expand with technological advancements. With a market value of $189 billion, the industry offers substantial opportunities for investors.

Take-Two, known for creating one of the most popular gaming franchises, Grand Theft Auto, has seen significant growth in its stock price. The company's stock has surged to new highs this year and has increased by 51% over the past year. This performance outpaces the Nasdaq, making it an attractive option for investors looking to capitalize on the gaming industry's growth.

The latest installment in the Grand Theft Auto series has sold over 215 million copies since 2013. The sixth installment, set to release on May 26, 2026, is expected to drive profitable growth for the company. While investors await this blockbuster title, Take-Two’s existing games are performing well. The company reported record bookings for fiscal 2025 and followed up with another strong quarter to start fiscal 2026.

Top games such as NBA 2K, Red Dead Redemption 2, and mobile titles like Words With Friends! and Toon Blast continue to attract players and generate revenue through in-game spending. What sets Take-Two apart is that 83% of its bookings last quarter came from recurrent consumer spending, which includes high-margin sales of extra content players buy while playing a game. This model extends the life of the game and keeps players engaged for longer periods.

Analysts expect Take-Two's earnings to grow at an annualized rate of 42% over the next few years. Despite the stock's recent rise, investors can still earn market-beating returns through 2030.

Live Nation Entertainment: Capitalizing on Live Concert Demand

Live Nation Entertainment is another growth stock that has shown strong performance in 2025. The company has benefited from a post-pandemic boom in live concert spending, a $36 billion market expected to reach $47 billion by 2030. Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster and operates a growing footprint of venues around the world, dominates this market.

Revenue grew 16% year over year to $7 billion, primarily earned from concerts and related ticket sales, with a small amount coming from sponsorships and advertising. Strong financial results have lifted the stock 68% over the past year, significantly outperforming the broader market.

Global attendance is booming, with a 14% increase year over year, reaching 44 million fans. The company reported that stadium attendance tripled over the year-ago quarter, indicating major artists are attracting huge crowds. More than 40% of stadium shows sold nearly all tickets in the first week.

Management is expanding its venue portfolio to capture the opportunity ahead. It opened four amphitheaters in the U.S. last quarter and has projects in the works across Mexico, Colombia, and Canada. It expects to open 10 large venues in 2026. Importantly, the company says the capital investments in new venues continue to drive high returns on capital over 20%, signaling that management is focused on making sure these investments deliver shareholder returns over the long term.

Live Nation has delivered double-digit revenue and free cash flow growth on an annualized basis over the last 10 years, and that should continue. Artists are increasingly relying on live events to boost income. Plus, fans are more in tune with new event announcements because of concert discovery features on streaming services like Spotify, which is benefiting ticket sales.

Analysts expect free cash flow to double by 2029. Live Nation's dominance in the live concert market makes it a compelling investment.

Considerations for Investors

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