Is now a good time to buy stocks? We're still in a bear market, and low prices provide great opportunities. At the same time, it doesn't look as if the economy is going to shape up in the near future, and a recession is possibly on the way. Although the market doesn't always move in tandem with the economy, as evidenced by a 7% increase in the S 500 so far in 2023, it's typically impacted to some degree. The broader market isn't likely to skyrocket while economic volatility continues.

What does this mean for investors? For most individuals, successful investing involves buying great stocks and holding onto them for many years. As long as you have a long time horizon, now is a great time to buy top stocks. Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST), Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ: LULU), and (NASDAQ: SBUX) are three top choices. Here's why.

Costco has a differentiated model with paid membership fees and dirt-cheap retail prices. It marks up products with razor-thin margins that just account for associated expenses and makes most of its income through the membership fees. That generates consumer loyalty, because shoppers want to make the most of their memberships and benefit from the cheapest prices around.

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Source Fool.com