Growth Stocks & My Aunt Mildred

They say the market has been good to growth stocks lately. Something about a 112% jump since 2023. Honestly, I stopped tracking these things after my Aunt Mildred started offering stock tips. Mildred believes strongly in penny stocks and the healing power of crystals. It’s…a lot. But the point is, even I noticed things were up. Now, everyone’s bracing for a correction, which is just a fancy way of saying “panic.” And while a lot of companies are trading on hype and promises, there are still a few that seem…reasonable. At least, as reasonable as anything can be when you’re talking about money.

I’ve been told to identify three “no-brainer” growth stocks. The phrase feels…aggressive. Like I’m supposed to be shouting from a rooftop. I’m more of a quiet, indoor person. But, okay. Here are three, along with my increasingly anxious thoughts about them.

1. The Trade Desk: Or, The Algorithm & My Sanity

The Trade Desk. Sounds like a detective agency. Apparently, they help companies place ads. Which, in this day and age, feels like a Sisyphean task. Anyway, they had a rough 2025. They tried to upgrade their system – a new AI platform called Kokai – and it didn’t go smoothly. Imagine trying to explain to your grandmother how to use a new remote control. That was basically the situation. Some advertisers got frustrated, and things slowed down. Then Amazon started muscling in, offering ads on Netflix, Disney, Spotify, Roku…it’s a long list. Like a roll call of things I haven’t had time to watch.

The stock price took a hit, naturally. But sometimes, a dip is an opportunity. The digital ad market is still growing, and The Trade Desk is, if nothing else, neutral. They don’t own the content, they just help place the ads. Which, in a world of media giants, feels…refreshing. Shares are around $36, which means you could buy two with a hundred bucks. And still have enough left over for a slightly overpriced latte.

2. Fortinet: Firewalls & Existential Dread

Fortinet makes firewalls. Which, I suppose, is important. In this day and age, everything feels vulnerable. Your bank account, your email, your refrigerator. Apparently, they’re expanding into software-based security. Which sounds…complicated. They had a disappointing product refresh, and their fourth-quarter outlook wasn’t great. Investors got spooked.

But here’s the thing: they’re shifting customers towards software products. Secure access service edge (SASE) and security operations (SecOps) are growing nicely. Which, frankly, I don’t fully understand. But it sounds promising. The stock is around $76, and the forward P/E ratio looks attractive. It’s not a guarantee, of course. Nothing is. But it feels…solid. Like a sensible pair of shoes.

3. Marvell Technology: Chips, Hyperscalers, & the Void

Marvell Technology makes chips for AI data centers. Which, honestly, sounds like something out of a science fiction novel. They’re essential for moving data, and they’re also developing custom AI accelerators. Which, I suspect, involves a lot of complicated math. The stock took a hit when reports surfaced that Microsoft was considering a rival chipmaker.

But Microsoft is still a major customer, and Marvell has contracts with all four major hyperscalers. They’re also adding smaller companies. It’s a growing market, and Marvell is well-positioned to benefit. Shares are around $80, and the forward P/E ratio is reasonable. It’s not a sure thing, of course. But in a world of uncertainty, it feels…like a calculated risk. Like ordering the fish at a restaurant you’ve never been to. You might get lucky.

So there you have it. Three stocks. My Aunt Mildred still thinks I should invest in crystals. I’m not entirely sure what to believe anymore. But maybe, just maybe, these stocks will do okay. And if not, well, at least I’ll have a good story to tell.

2026-01-19 20:32

1. The Trade Desk: Or, The Algorithm & My Sanity

2. Fortinet: Firewalls & Existential Dread

3. Marvell Technology: Chips, Hyperscalers, & the Void

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