This article identifies five non-AI stocks that have shown significant year-to-date growth, despite the market rally primarily being driven by AI technology. These companies – Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. (ADM), Casey's General Stores Inc. (CASY), Nucor Corp. (NUE), Ross Stores Inc. (ROST), and Imperial Oil Ltd. (IMO) – are recommended for investment in 2026, each holding a Zacks Rank #1 or #2. The article provides a brief overview of each company's financial health, growth prospects, and strategic initiatives.

This Simply Wall St analysis of PLAYSTUDIOS (Nasdaq: MYPS) reports the company's current stock price at US$0.49, with analysts valuing it as 51.0% undervalued. The company faces risks due to unprofitability and a low market cap, alongside recent news of transferring its listing from Nasdaq Global Market to Nasdaq Capital Market to address non-compliance with the minimum bid price rule. Recent news also details leadership changes, earnings guidance, and a proposed class-action settlement.

Church & Dwight has acquired Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater brand for approximately $325 million, expanding its fabric care portfolio with a digitally native, fast-growing stain-removal business. Miss Mouth’s, which generated $80 million in net sales and $28 million in EBITDA in 2025, is a top-selling stain remover on Amazon, appealing primarily to families with young children. This acquisition reflects a trend of established companies buying successful digital-first brands to leverage their wider distribution and operational scale, with Church & Dwight expecting double-digit growth and positive cash earnings from the brand starting in 2027.

Samir Singh, formerly EVP Asia-Pacific at Colgate-Palmolive, has been appointed President, Enterprise Oral Care, and will join the company's global leadership team, effective June 1. He will relocate to New York and oversee Colgate-Palmolive's global oral care portfolio. Singh has a long history in consumer goods, including a significant tenure at Unilever before joining Colgate-Palmolive in late 2024.

New Era Energy & Digital (NASDAQ:NUAI) has reached a pending settlement with the State of New Mexico to dismiss all claims against the company. The agreement involves a $1 million payment from New Era to the US Trustee for the bankruptcy estates of Acacia Resources, LLC and Acacia Operating Company, LLC, resolving five of New Mexico's claims related to legacy helium and gas assets. New Era denied liability, and the settlement is subject to Bankruptcy Court approval, though personal claims against CEO E Will Gray II will proceed.

Valero Energy Corp shares saw a modest increase on the NYSE after the company declared its latest quarterly dividend of USD 1.20 per share, payable in June 2026. This announcement solidifies Valero's position as a consistent cash distributor to shareholders, with the stock trading near its modeled fair value according to Simply Wall St. Investors are now evaluating the stock's yield and valuation multiples against the inherent risks of the refining cycle and energy price volatility.

Con Edison is investing a record $3.9 billion in its electric delivery system across New York City and Westchester County to ensure reliable service for customers this summer, anticipating rising demand due to increasingly frequent and severe extreme heat. The upgrades include new transformers, cables, and substation equipment, targeting various boroughs and Westchester to enhance reliability and prepare for future weather conditions. The company also offers energy conservation tips, efficiency programs, and assistance for vulnerable customers to manage higher energy bills and maintain service reliability.

Brown & Brown Inc. shares are trading in the upper half of their 52-week range with a modest dividend yield of approximately 0.8%. Investors are evaluating the U.S. insurance broker's valuation metrics and dividend policy ahead of its next earnings report. The company's core business model involves generating revenue from commissions and fees on various insurance products.

NeuroPace, Inc. (Nasdaq: NPCE) announced its participation in the 2026 American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ASSFN) Meeting, where it will showcase the expanding role of responsive neuromodulation in epilepsy care. The company plans to highlight long-term clinical outcomes with its RNS® System, NAUTILUS data in idiopathic generalized epilepsy, and advancements in data-driven treatment tools. NeuroPace will engage the neurosurgeon community through scientific symposiums, educational programming, product feedback sessions, and hands-on demonstrations of its technology, including the newly FDA-approved ECoG Assistant™.

Zacks Research has lowered its FY2027 EPS estimate for Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE) to $5.84, down from $5.92, while maintaining a "Hold" rating on the stock. This revision comes as the company recently reported quarterly EPS of $1.73, meeting expectations, but saw revenue decline by 11.5% year-over-year and issued FY2026 EPS guidance of $6.30-$6.50. Wall Street continues to hold a cautious sentiment on ARE, with an average "Hold" rating and a consensus price target of $51.23.