Who would have thought that the wild ride for investors over the past few years could lead to such a remarkable juncture? The Nasdaq Composite, often heralded as the frontline of tech-driven growth stocks, has seemingly been left behind as its peers climb new heights. But does this represent a lost opportunity or a hidden opening for long-term investors to snap up high-potential businesses at a potential discount? Let’s dig into four promising growth stocks that could be ripe for the picking in the wake of the Nasdaq bear market dip.

PayPal Holdings: Beyond the Digital Wallet

First in line is fintech leader, PayPal Holdings. Despite facing increased competition in the digital payments arena, PayPal stands tall with the potential to make long-term investors a wealthier bunch. Imagine being able to capitalize on a market expected to grow sixfold, reaching $1.5 trillion by the end of the decade. That’s the wave that PayPal is leading.

In the midst of accounts showing sluggish growth, the real story lies in the figures that count. Total payment volume across PayPal’s platforms recorded a 12% increase, reaching $1.53 trillion in 2023. Furthermore, the average number of payment transactions per active account surged to 58.7, a 43.5% upgrade since 2020. Although account growth may be sluggish, the existing accounts are displaying unprecedented engagement with the platform, promising higher gross profits due to the fee-centric business model.

Let’s not overlook PayPal’s investor-friendly moves. Having repurchased $5 billion worth of its common stock in 2023 and with plans for annual operating expense reductions, the company is positioning itself for improved margins. Trading at less than 11 times consensus earnings in 2025, it’s an opportunity that just can’t be ignored.

Green Thumb Industries: High on Potential

Next up is U.S.-focused cannabis multi-state operator, Green Thumb Industries. Though marijuana stocks have been a rollercoaster, Green Thumb has been a standout among its peers with medical and adult-use legalization efforts in individual states propelling steady industry growth. With the U.S. weed industry set to enjoy a compound annual growth rate of 11% through 2027, Green Thumb, with a footprint in 15 legalized U.S. states and a chain of dispensaries, seems poised for a significant slice of the $43 billion potential legal weed sales by 2027.

What makes Green Thumb standout is not just its market breadth but its product mix. With 44% of net sales coming from derivatives and a planned tenfold increase in earnings per share between 2022 and 2026, the future looks promising.

JD.com: Powering E-commerce in China

China’s No. 2 e-commerce player, JD.com, warrants serious consideration. Despite recent economic hiccups, JD.com seems to be ideally positioned to thrive in the long run, benefitting from the reopening of China’s economy. Operating as a true direct-to-consumer retailer, JD.com handles inventory and logistics, giving the company greater control over operating margins.

Furthermore, its plan to spin off its Property and Industrial segment could unlock even more value for investors.

Fastly, JD.com, and PayPal: Electric Stocks to Buy

The Nasdaq bear market dip has left investors ruffled and searching for the next best move. Fret not! I present to you three electrifying stocks worthy of your investment: Fastly, JD.com, and PayPal.

Fastly: A Content Delivery Powerhouse

The recent turbulence faced by edge computing company Fastly (NYSE: FSLY) should not overshadow its promising potential. Despite a slight miss on the fourth-quarter sales estimate, the prospects for Fastly remain strong. The company’s global network capacity has surged by 58% to 313 terabytes per second since March 2022, elucidating its capability to swiftly and securely deliver data to end-users.

Fastly’s enterprise customer count has soared to 578, with average enterprise customer spending reaching an all-time high of $880,000 in the fourth quarter. Additionally, its dollar-based net expansion rate (DBNER) has consistently been between 118% and 123% for eight consecutive quarters. This favorable trend signifies an upward trajectory in customer spending year-over-year, fortifying Fastly’s position in the market.

The recent appointment of Todd Nightingale, former head of Cisco Systems’ Enterprise Networking and Cloud division, as CEO has instilled further confidence in the company’s growth prospects. With Nightingale at the helm, Fastly is poised to harness growth catalysts and enhance operational efficiency, potentially paving the way for sustained double-digit growth in the coming years.

JD.com: A Gem in the Making

JD.com, Asia’s e-commerce giant, is akin to a hidden gem waiting to be unearthed in a cluttered marketplace. The company’s decision to list its logistics business and secondary health care segments on the Hong Kong stock exchange is a strategic move to simplify its business structure and unlock shareholder value. As if that weren’t enough, JD.com’s shares are currently trading at a historically low valuation, with a price equivalent to just over 7 times Wall Street’s consensus earnings for 2024.

PayPal: The Unstoppable Force

The illustrious PayPal has been a beacon of consistent growth, boasting a track record of double-digit growth in its shares. The company’s partnership with e-commerce powerhouse Alibaba Group is a testament to its strategic foresight. With PayPal’s spinoff of its wealth management unit, it exhibits a sharp focus on refining complex businesses for ease of comprehension, ultimately adding shareholder value.

Furthermore, despite its towering growth, PayPal’s shares are now available at an incredibly modest valuation, trading at just over 7 times Wall Street’s consensus earnings for 2024.

Seize the day and consider investing in these buzzing stocks, essential to any well-diversified portfolio. Before long, these stocks may prove to be the missing pieces to your investment puzzle.

Sean Williams, a seasoned investor, has recognized the potential in Fastly, JD.com, and PayPal. His insights serve as a strong endorsement for these companies. Remember, always seek opportunities and stay informed, for the financial landscape is ever-evolving.

Dabble in the stock market, explore your options, and take your investment journey to new heights with these captivating opportunities, waiting to be seized – for fortune favors the bold.

The views expressed herein are those of the author and may contain opinions that differ from those of Nasdaq, Inc.