2 Industrial Stocks You'll Wish You Bought in 2026 a Decade From Now

If you are worried about artificial intelligence (AI) eating everything in the digital world, the best spot to look for stocks in your portfolio is either real-world industrial companies or the suppliers of the AI boom itself.

Along with the reshoring of manufacturing to the United States, there should be a strong tailwind and security for owning high-quality industrial assets over the next decade. Here are two industrial stocks to buy in 2026 so you don't miss out on gains 10 years from now.

Betting on the future of computer chips

AI needs computer chips to grow, which is why leading research lab OpenAI just raised over $100 billion from investors. These funds will go toward purchasing internal computer chips and expanding capacity with cloud providers like Amazon.

All roads lead back to one company in the computer chip supply chain: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM). Whether Amazon is buying computer chips from Nvidia or designing its own, Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) is the one actually manufacturing the hardware. It holds a leadership position in advanced semiconductors, which some might call a monopoly, given how far it has gotten ahead of competition like Intel.

Last quarter, revenue grew 20% year over year in U.S. dollar terms, with 37% growth continuing in January and 22.2% growth in February of this year. As the AI spending boom continues, so will demand for TSMC's manufacturing capabilities. The company is investing to expand its footprint in the United States, comitting $165 billion to projects over many years.

Its monopoly position allows TSMC to sell its semiconductor products at a high price point, posting an operating margin of 54% in Q4 2025. That is better than most software companies, and it is performing some of the most advanced manufacturing on the planet.

Right now, TSMC stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 32, which is nowhere near a discounted price. However, if you are a believer in the AI revolution, spending on computer chips will be much higher a decade from now. Most of that spending will start at TSMC, giving it a huge runway to keep investing, grow its manufacturing output capacity, and then its revenue and profits. This makes the stock one you'll wish you bought in 2026 a decade from now.

Image source: Getty Images.

Stable contracts in defense, with growing demand

A company in an industry growing less quickly than AI, but that should still be insulated from any AI disruption, is defense contracting. One leader in this sector is Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), which prioritizes aerospace with its F-35 fighter jet, missile defense systems, and a space division. The space division has military capabilities, as well as for exploratory and science-based missions that partner with agencies like NASA.

Defense contracts can last for decades, making projects like the F-35 predictable cash cows for shareholders. Plus, amid conflicts bubbling around the globe, Lockheed Martin has been asked to increase its manufacturing capacity for items such as missile defense systems. For example, its PAC-3 missile interceptor is growing from an annual capacity of 600 to 2,000.

What's more, Lockheed Martin will participate in the upcoming Golden Dome project, which has a $185 billion budget. That, along with its foothold in the space sector, should give the company many avenues to grow over the next decade. No surprise then that the company now has a record backlog of $194 billion.

Lockheed Martin may not grow as fast as TSMC, but it does have a lower earnings multiple, with a forward P/E ratio of 20 as of this writing. Reliable defense contracts and growing needs across multiple areas where the company has expertise should help Lockheed Martin grow its earnings power over the next decade, making it a great buy for investors focused on the long term.

Brett Schafer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Intel, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.