Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTDaniel Sparks, The Motley FoolFri, June 5, 2026 at 7:27 PM GMT+2 5 min readPicking artificial intelligence (AI) stocks for a decade-long holding period requires more than just looking at where the momentum in the market is. The companies worth holding for that long share one trait: a profitable, established business that funds the AI build-out without putting the rest of the company at risk.Three names that arguably meet the bar today are Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO).Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »Each takes a distinct angle on AI, and each has the financial firepower to keep investing through whatever the next decade brings.Here's a closer look at why these three AI stocks look like solid long-term holds.Image source: Getty Images.Meta PlatformsSocial media giant Meta Platforms is converting its AI investment into faster ad growth in real time.The company's first-quarter revenue rose 33% year over year to $56.3 billion -- an acceleration from 24% growth in the prior quarter. And its family of apps ad revenue climbed 33% to $55 billion, with ad impressions across its services up 19% and the average price per ad up 12%. Operating income was $22.9 billion, for a 41% operating margin.But the AI spending behind Meta's growth plan is enormous.Management now expects 2026 capital expenditures of $125 billion to $145 billion, up from a prior range of $115 billion to $135 billion. Explaining the recent upward revision, the company cited higher component costs and additional data center investments to support future capacity.An outlay like this, of course, will pressure margins in the near term. But Meta is also generating the cash to absorb it, and its ad business is already showing the AI improvements paying off in strong advertising revenue today.The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of about 23 as of this writing -- a reasonable multiple for a business growing at this rate. Sure, regulatory pressure in the U.S. and Europe is a real risk worth monitoring. But for a business with this much profitability and scale, the long-term setup looks attractive from this price.MicrosoftMicrosoft is the closest thing investors have to an across-the-board AI bet.The software and cloud giant's fiscal third-quarter revenue rose 18% year over year to $82.9 billion, with earnings per share up 23%. Its "Azure and other cloud services" revenue grew 40% -- an acceleration from 39% growth in the prior quarter. Additionally, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the company's AI business surpassed a $37 billion annual run rate, up 123% year over year.Terms and Privacy PolicyPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info