BofA Global Research named “the best trades of the year.”
Among the top ideas were "long oil" and “short crypto.” Crude oil futures 
CL1! increased 55.3% year-to-date, while Brent UKOIL increased 58.6% YTD. Meanwhile, Bitcoin 
BTCUSD, the most popular cryptocurrency, declined 22.8% so far this year.
In addition, BofA named "long energy" and ”short discretionary” as a trade that dominated 2026.
“Long energy-short discretionary.” Energy 
XLE, 
AMLP, 
VDE, XOP rose more than 40% this year along with higher oil prices and intensified geopolitical conflict. Persistent inflation, on the other hand, crushed consumer discretionary names XLY, VCR, 
FXD, 
FDIS as the XLY ETF only advanced 0.1% YTD.
Furthermore, BofA analysts said, “long semis-short telecom.” Semiconductors 
SMH, 
SOXX, 
SOXL, FTXL, XSD had, so far, a very tumultuous 2026 but have advanced more than 33% so far this year. Telecom XTL, IYZ have not done too badly but have only added 14.8% YTD.
Then, “long small-cap value” and “short mega cap growth.” Small-cap value stocks SLYV have advanced 15.8% year-to-date. In contrast, mega-cap growth companies have only added 3.3%.
Moreover, BofA analysts named “long Taiwan” as a trade better than “long China.” Taiwanese stocks EWT have jumped 50.9% year-to-date, and Chinese stocks are actually down 12.8% YTD.
Lastly, a top trade this year has been “long cyber stocks” and “short defense.” Cybersecurity CIBR, 
HACK, IHAK, 
BUG has increased more than 30%, while aerospace and defense ITA, XAR, 
PPA has declined 0.7% so far this year.
