The Best Stock to Invest $500 in Right Now

By Keithen Drury – Mar 13, 2026 at 4:30PM ESTKey PointsThe Trade Desk could get a growth boost with its OpenAI integration.The adtech company's CEO just loaded up on shares -- a positive sign.If you've got $500 sitting around collecting dust, there are few better options to invest in than The Trade Desk (TTD +2.96%). At first glance, you may be wondering why I think a stock down around 80% from its all-time high constitutes a good investment, but once you understand why it's down so big, you may agree. I think The Trade Desk is a screaming value right now, and investors should be confident in injecting new capital into this long-term winner. Image source: Getty Images.

The Trade Desk hit a bump in the road Despite sliding some 80% from its all-time high, the stock is still up nearly 900% over the past decade thanks to all of the company's success.

The Trade Desk has built one of the best buy-side ad technology platforms. This software helps users place their ads in the most optimal space in places like website margins, podcasts, connected TV, and pretty much anywhere else you think a digital ad could appear (outside of walled garden sites like Google, Facebook, or Instagram). ExpandNASDAQ: TTDThe Trade DeskToday's Change(2.96%) $0.79Current Price$27.31Key Data PointsMarket Cap$13BDay's Range$26.20 - $27.5552wk Range$21.08 - $91.45Volume496KAvg Vol17MGross Margin78.63% This isn't a business that's expected to be disrupted by the implementation of generative artificial intelligence (AI), but it has sold off heavily alongside its software peers regardless of that fact. However, it could soon benefit from a new partner: OpenAI. Reportedly, OpenAI was in talks with The Trade Desk regarding how to implement ads on its platform. This partnership would give The Trade Desk's clients access to a new form of advertising that could generate massive revenue. Imagine you asked ChatGPT what the best product is to buy, and it gave some recommendations, including a sponsored one (that it informed you was sponsored), and you can go directly to the website to buy it. That would be a lucrative advertising space, and with The Trade Desk being a partner in its creation, it could result in massive growth for the company, something it desperately needs. During the fourth quarter, The Trade Desk's revenue growth was nothing spectacular, rising 14% year over year. However, investors were more worried about next quarter's growth, as they only expect revenue to rise 10%. That's a huge issue, marks a transition from becoming a growth stock. However, the value investment community hasn't picked up on The Trade Desk's stock quite yet, which is why the stock trades for such a cheap valuation. TTD PE Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts At 14 times forward earnings, The Trade Desk is a screaming bargain and is slated to rally once its growth returns. If the OpenAI partnership pans out, I won't be surprised to see the stock skyrocket over the next few months. As another vote of confidence, The Trade Desk's CEO just purchased nearly $150 million of stock with his own money. That shows he's confident about the turnaround, and investors should be, too.Read NextMar 9, 2026 •By Keithen DruryThis Stock Up Nearly 900% in the Past Decade Is a Rare Bargain OpportunityMar 9, 2026 •By Lawrence NgaWhy The Trade Desk CEO Thinks the Open Internet Just Got StrongerMar 9, 2026 •By Lawrence NgaThe Trade Desk Is Reinventing Itself, but Will It Be Enough?Mar 8, 2026 •By Lawrence Nga3 Things The Trade Desk Must Prove in 2026Mar 7, 2026 •By Lawrence NgaWhy The Trade Desk Stock Plunged 67% in 1 YearMar 7, 2026 •By Adam LevyThe Trade Desk vs. AppLovin: Which AI-Powered Adtech Stock Is the Better Buy?About the AuthorKeithen Drury is a contributing Motley Fool technology analyst covering AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and SaaS stocks. In addition to The Motley Fool, Keithen is a mechanical engineer and has held roles at Honeywell and smaller industrial companies like Brand Hydraulics and Lincoln Industries. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Dordt University.TMFTripleOptionStocks MentionedThe Trade DeskNASDAQ: TTD$27.31(+2.96%)+$0.79*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.