Josh Brown: Hold Interactive Brokers, Caterpillar, Delta

Josh Brown, chief executive of Ritholtz Wealth Management, advised investors to hold Interactive Brokers, Caterpillar and Delta Air Lines through the end of 2026, citing recent share-price gains and company results that support continued ownership.

Interactive Brokers has rallied about 80% over the trailing 12 months after a technical breakout in mid-2025. The broker reported first-quarter client accounts of 4.75 million, up 31% year over year, client equity up 38% and margin loans near $90 billion, an increase of roughly 40%. Commissions reached a record $613 million for the quarter, with stock, futures and options volumes posting double-digit annual growth. Brown also noted the company’s free float is small relative to founder Thomas Peterffy’s stake. The shares pay a dividend yield around 0.36%.

Caterpillar’s shares have risen roughly 45% since early April 2026 as the Power and Energy segment reported higher sales tied to data-center infrastructure. Power generation sales grew 48% year over year in the first quarter, and the order backlog for that segment climbed 79% from a year earlier. Management raised its 2026 revenue outlook and increased its long-term power generation target through the end of the decade. Adjusted earnings per share rose 30% in the quarter despite a 270 basis-point tariff impact. The board increased the quarterly dividend to $1.63, extending a 32-year streak of dividend raises.

Delta Air Lines has gained more than 20% since Brown first highlighted the stock in December 2025, supported by stronger premium and corporate travel. In the first quarter premium revenue rose 14% and loyalty sales grew 13% year over year, while corporate bookings reached a quarterly record. Main cabin unit revenue returned to positive growth, with domestic revenue up 6% and international revenue up 5%. Delta reported $14.2 billion in first-quarter sales and $1.2 billion in free cash flow, and it forecasts low-teens revenue growth for the current quarter. Delta shares yield about 1%.

Brown wrote, “Positions that keep working need no new reason to stay in your portfolio.” He added Interactive Brokers to his list after the 2025 breakout, flagged Caterpillar in April 2026 as power infrastructure exposure became clearer, and first recommended Delta in December 2025. He highlighted that investors will watch upcoming earnings, order backlogs and travel metrics as drivers for these stocks through the remainder of 2026.