Top 10 5G Stocks to Watch in 2021: Tips & How to Trade Them

As 5G technology continues to roll out, it’s smart to look at the top 5G stocks to watch.

Now, many people may think 5G is a simple upgrade to 4G cellphone technology. But it’s so much more than that.

At the risk of sounding cliché, when the technology fully rolls out … it will be disruptive.

How disruptive? Well, its speeds could enable new uses for computer applications … And that could mean the dawn of new industries.

If all goes well, the switch from 3G to 4G won’t compare to the 5G upgrade. It’s kind of like going from riding horses to driving cars.

5G technology promises to drive big growth for tech. It could change the way we interact with computers on a daily basis.

Autonomous vehicles can communicate with other vehicles in real-time. That can mean exchanging information, such as road conditions or sudden movements, to better ensure safety.

5G could also push the continued growth of the Internet of Things and smart devices. We could connect to more devices, including many mechanical and digital machines.

All these connections can give people and organizations faster access to data. And that could change everything from the way we manufacture products … how we secure our homes and possessions … and even how we provide medical care.

It stands to be a BIG deal.

So, what stocks are worth watching as 5G becomes a reality?

Today, we’ll look at the major 5G players and which 5G stocks to watch. (Want hot stock picks to start your week? Sign up for my no-cost weekly watchlist here!)

This list won’t encapsulate all of the best 5G stocks for 2021, but it includes the ones I’m most interested in right now. I’ll tell you why.

Ready? Let’s go!

What Are 5G Stocks?

The rollout for 5G won’t happen all at once. It’s gonna take some time. 

Phones and networks now support 5G, but we won’t see its full capabilities until other ‘complementary’ technologies update…

So, our top 5G stocks to watch in 2021 are any stocks that could get a boost as companies deploy 5G wireless networks … 

Keep in mind these are stocks to watch, not trade recommendations. Use this list as inspiration for building your own watchlist.

Top 5G Stocks to Watch in 2021

Here’s the list of 5G stocks to watch in no particular order…

5G Stocks to Watch #1: Inseego Corp. (NASDAQ: INSG)

Inseego is a smart device-to-cloud solutions provider with a product line that includes fast and secure USB modems, routers, and mobile hotspots. 

We live in a world of remote transactions. Money and information constantly move around the globe. Any breaches in those transactions could be costly.

The promise of 5G is in its speed and security, so Inseego’s 5G business will impact a broad range of industries — from government to education to healthcare. 

INSG has had a rough 2021, but it’s starting to push higher…

The company has been a trailblazer in wireless technology for decades. Why doubt them now?

5G Stocks to Watch #2: Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK)

Nokia isn’t just ‘that old phone company.’ It’s creating a massive network to support 5G.

The company’s AirScale baseband architecture will allow users to connect and experience faster data processing and less disruption from too much power consumption. 

That could mean no internet outages when you’re making trades … in an ideal world, of course.

One great benefit of 5G is that it provides the ability to shoot, process, and send high-quality video with low latency. Nokia’s 5G drones will be able to show a scene in real time and connect with remote operators or first responders before arriving on the scene.

NOK began the year as a meme stock and fell dramatically through spring. But it’s now climbing back to those January highs as the demand for wireless connection grows…

5G Stocks to Watch #3: Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC)

5G will allow businesses to connect smart devices on a global scale. Ericsson has partnered with Sprint’s Internet of Things platform to make smart devices … smarter.

Ericsson thinks almost every object around us could be connected by 2050. This means streetlights, thermostats, elevators, and cars will all be communicating with each other.

This extra level of intelligence will allow for more seamless and efficient living.

Ericsson has beaten many competitors on the 5G rollout by reusing its existing infrastructure. This has allowed consumers and businesses to connect to Ericsson’s network worldwide.

Anyone in Canada looking for 5G stocks to play? Ericsson partnered with Bell Canada to provide the Great White North with its initial 5G access.

ERIC has been struggling in recent months but could bounce if it meets resistance levels around $12. It has proven over the past year that it is capable of growth…

5G Stocks to Watch #4: Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM)

When it comes to 5G, stocks like Qualcomm are hard to pass over.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 5G platforms support the best speeds and coverage … just like the other 5G networks. But Qualcomm’s differentiator is battery life.

Snapdragon’s optimized wireless transmission of signals to smartphones creates an efficiency that will extend battery life. The company says this means your phone can stay charged all day long.

Qualcomm’s 5G network will also allow mobile gamers to break the language barrier … Instant translation makes for no communication slip-ups.

In the end, Snapdragon will give laptops better connectivity and longer battery life … What more can traders ask for!

QCOM is slowly climbing back to February highs…

5G Stocks to Watch #5: Atomera Inc. (NASDAQ: ATOM)

Atomera is a non-traditional 5G play. The company focuses on materials engineering in the semiconductor industry.

The shortage of the past year has shown us just how important those tiny semiconductor chips are … They’re in everything.

Atomera’s Mears Silicon Technology (MST) is a complementary technology that helps improve semiconductors. The company says this technology can help increase battery life in 5G phones, giving two days or more of battery life on a single charge!

This MST will also be used in the Internet of Things world to help with efficiency.

ATOM stock may be gearing up for a pop…

5G Stocks to Watch #6: Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)

The iPhone maker offers 5G connectivity in its iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max…

The company says iPhones will automatically optimize for the best 5G experience. The phone will switch to LTE when 5G speeds don’t offer the best performance, saving battery life.

5G will give iPhones the capability of higher-quality data usage and streaming. This means crystal clear FaceTime calls with mom and better-sounding tunes on Apple Music.

Any improvements in technology make Apple a good play. The stock has fluctuated quite a bit this year and is currently on an upswing after being down in May…

5G Stocks to Watch #7: Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG)

Another mass phone producer getting into the 5G game is Google.

Like AAPL’s iPhones, Google’s phones will also search for the best signal available and automatically switch between networks for the best option.

Google’s 5G catalog includes the Samsung Galaxy S21, Samsung Note 20, Motorola One, Moto G, and Pixel 5. Google has partnered with AT&T to provide 5G service.

GOOG stock has been a beast over the past year. An expanding 5G portfolio should keep it flying high…

5G Stocks to Watch #8: Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX)

Chip-maker Xilinx will have a massive hand in the deployment of 5G. Samsung will be using Xilinx’s Versal, an adaptive compute acceleration platform (ACAP) that will boost its network capacity.

That may sound like a lot of mumbo-jumbo, but Xilinx’s Versal ACAP will help improve signal processing and 5G capacity overall.

Any company that gets in bed with Samsung is one I’ll watch in the stock market…

XLNX stock has had a roller coaster of a year in 2021, but it is currently on an upswing.

5G Stocks to Watch #9: American Tower Corp. (NYSE: AMT)

You may have never heard of American Tower, but the company will be essential in the deployment of 5G.

AMT owns and operates roughly 41,000 cell towers in the United States and 180,000 worldwide, providing business to the likes of AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

Service providers are always nice to keep an eye on, but what about the companies providing them the infrastructure?

AMT had a March bottom-out that looked very similar to 2020’s crash. Since then, its place in the 5G landscape has helped it shoot up to all-time highs.

5G Stocks to Watch #10: SBA Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: SBAC)

More infrastructure!

SBA Communications owns nearly 17,000 towers in the U.S. and 33,000 worldwide. Like AMT, it also provides service to AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

5G will require a lot of bandwidth to support a growing number of connected devices. Companies like SBA are vital to this growth and necessary to the digital expansion we’ll experience once 5G is fully deployed.

SBAC has bounced off March lows to extraordinary heights just like AMT…

What’s the Number-One 5G Stock?

Remember … just because a stock is on a watchlist doesn’t mean it’s the ‘best’ stock.

You still have to wait for the right stock patterns for your trading strategy and build a plan to trade it.

So, the number-one 5G stock is the one that fits your particular setup and works with your trade plan.

Don’t get tricked by gurus who tell you certain stocks can’t fail. There are always risks when you trade!

New plays could reveal themselves as 5G becomes more of a reality. Keep your eyes open and don’t get complacent.

Who Is the Leader in 5G Technology?

5G technology is still in its infancy, so it’s too early to tell who the leader is just yet.

A lot of companies have joined the “gold rush” to be the first to strike riches.

But it’s probably gonna take a few years before 5G technology is fully deployed … and a lot could happen in that time.

And even when it is fully deployed, there could be entirely new 5G solutions that change the game even more. It’s an exciting time!

Who Are the Big Players in 5G?

Anyone on this top 10 list could be a big player in 5G.

The reason these companies made it on this list is that they’re all in a great position. If these companies are smart, they can take advantage of opportunities. That can be great news for prepared traders. 

Watch the big players … and watch for sympathy plays.

How Can I Trade 5G Stocks Now?

Trading 5G stocks is just like trading any other stock. You’ll need a computer and an internet connection to get started.

Then, you’ll need an online brokerage account to get access to the markets. There are tons of brokers to choose from, so make sure to do your research. 

Remember … don’t trade a stock just because you think it’ll go up. Make sure to have a trading plan. I can’t stress that enough.

Also, it’s OK to paper trade until you recognize patterns and determine setups that will work for your trading style.

Tips on Trading 5G Stocks

Just like anything else…

Stay Up to Date

The market shifts all the time. Staying up to date is key to making the right trading choices.

A good stock today won’t necessarily be a good stock tomorrow. The flip side is true, too … Past performance doesn’t predict future performance.

Staying on top of the market will help you be ready for the shifts and make smarter moves.

Know When to Sell

You gotta know when a stock’s run is over. Take profits when you can. Go into your trades with an idea of when you want to sell.

Then, set your mark and stick to it. Plan your trades so you don’t have to exit blindly. No one loses while taking profits… 

Learn to Read the Market

The 5G landscape is large enough for many stocks to succeed, but some will do better than others.

Gauging the market on what it values can make a world of difference. Money moves in and out of stocks all day, every day. Finding the volume and momentum can help you find the best trades every day.

And remember … it could all change tomorrow. It depends on what the market likes right now. 

Buy the Rumors, Sell the News

Rumors can send stocks to the moon. The anticipation of something big excites people.

As soon as the anticipation dissipates, though, a stock can deflate. You don’t want to be left holding a deflating stock.

Watch what people say. When news actually breaks, that deflation period could likely come next…

Which Stocks Could Benefit the Most From 5G?

5G technology will be deployed in stages … And different companies will likely benefit in each of those stages.

Right now, companies that are involved with rolling out 5G could benefit the most. And when 5G is at a point where customers are using it, companies that create the applications and hardware for it should benefit.

Part of what’s exciting about 5G is that we don’t know what innovations — or companies — will come out of it.

5G Stocks: The Wrap

That’s our list for the top 10 5G stocks to watch in 2021! It includes the companies we think will be heavy hitters in this growing sector.

Remember … it’s only the beginning. There’s so much potential for 5G and its rollout to affect so many other markets.

But these stocks are a good starting point if you’re interested in this sector.

As always, stocks on watchlists are just ideas that can lead to good trades. It’s up to you to prepare and make sure a stock is worth trading.

If you’re interested in joining a community of like-minded people who are working to become smarter traders, we’d like to invite you to join our SteadyTrade Team. Every trading day, we have two live webinars where you’ll get hands-on guidance to better understand the market.

You’ll also get access to mentors such as me … along with Kim Ann Curtin and Mike “Huddie” Hudson.

Also, check out StocksToTrade for all your charting, scanning, and charting needs. But seeing is believing — grab 06your 14-day trial today for just $7!

What 5G stocks are on your watchlist? Which companies do you think will benefit from 5G? Comment below — we love to hear from our readers!