Top 3 Automation Stocks To Watch In October 2026

Samsung’s record profit from AI-focused memory chips shows how physical automation and computing power are pulling real money into robotics right now. Companies supplying the brains and muscles of this shift are turning long-term automation stories into current business. That creates a window for investors who want exposure to this productivity push. This article highlights three stocks from our robotics and automation leaders list worth a closer look.

The companies profiled below are just a small sample, and the full robotics and automation screen surfaced 93 more businesses with equally compelling stories that are not covered in this article.

To identify, compare, and analyze those potential leaders directly, head into the Robotics and Automation Stocks screener.

Kardex Holding (SWX:KARN)

Kardex Holding is one of the clearest pure plays on warehouse robotics in this screen, with its automation hardware, software and services positioned where labor shortages and e commerce growth intersect with the need for faster, more accurate intralogistics.

"The acquisition of Rocket Solutions adds a very dense multi shuttle technology for light goods and extends coverage to higher bay warehouses. This widens the addressable market and provides additional opportunities to support revenue growth and gross profit over time."

What ultimately happens to Kardex Holding’s earnings power now depends on how one underlying assumption about future pricing and project execution holds up.

Kardex Holding AG focuses on intralogistics automation, with its Automated Products arm generating about €541 million and Standardized Systems about €335 million, and the group valued at roughly CHF2.0b by the market.

If that pricing assumption is what you are testing, the full narrative for Kardex Holding maps how Kardex Holding’s automation story could accelerate or stall from here.

Addtech AB (publ.) (OM:ADDT B)

Addtech AB ties into the robotics theme through its Automation segment, which supplies factory control systems, sensors, vision products, robotics and data collection. The broader group remains diversified across Energy, Industry, Process, Electrification and Safety, which together generated roughly SEK 23.5b in revenue, with a market value near SEK 83.7b.

For investors tracking the physical AI rollout into real factories, Addtech AB offers exposure to the distributors wiring robots, sensors and control systems into everyday production lines while still providing access to a broader electrification and infrastructure specialist.

"Addtech AB is maintaining a high acquisition pace, with 9 companies acquired in the 2025 fiscal year and a further 8 added so far in the current year that together contribute roughly SEK 1.5b in revenue. This acquisition activity may influence future revenue and EBITA as these acquired businesses are integrated and scaled."

The key issue now is how one quiet pressure on group margins develops as these automation-focused bolt-ons are absorbed.

That quiet pressure on margins is exactly what the full narrative for Addtech AB (publ.) unpacks, showing where acquisition drag could be masking a stronger long term automation engine.

Harmonic Drive Systems (TSE:6324)

Harmonic Drive Systems makes precision speed reducers and mechatronics modules that sit inside industrial robots and semiconductor tools, anchoring its link to the robotics deployment theme. Revenue is concentrated in Japan at about ¥36.9b, with China, Europe and North America together near ¥34.2b. The firm carries a market value of roughly ¥523.5b.

Harmonic Drive Systems gives you direct exposure to the gears and actuators that let industrial robots move with accuracy, compact size and high torque. The raised 2026 and 2027 guidance points to stronger demand for these components, with a rich P/S multiple leaving a lot hanging on how pressure on profitability develops from here.

With that profitability question hanging, the 1 key reward and 1 important major warning sign shows where Harmonic Drive Systems’ rich P/S could be masking either real upside or brewing pressure.

Curious About What You Might Be Missing?

Fresh ideas move first. Some stocks are building quiet momentum, others are dropping back to better entry zones. Before the crowd catches on and pricing shifts, consider your options.

• Spot early strength in smaller AI players by scanning the curated list of 155 AI small caps while it is still under the radar for now.
• Identify cash generative businesses where fundamentals support the payout by tracking the hand picked 226 dividend fortresses before yields change.
• Follow developments in digital infrastructure by checking the focused pool of 54 AI infrastructure stocks while the best entries may still be available.

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