3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 02/18/2025
Here’s your fast-forward button to what Wall Street’s brightest and best are watching:
- CSG Systems International Inc (NASDAQ: CSGS) has strong analyst support — and tailwinds that could lead to prolonged growth.
- Why Bio-Techne Corp (NASDAQ: TECH) is the ultimate pick-and-shovel play.
- Universal Technical Institute (NYSE: UTI) may have an unfortunate ticker, but its near-term prospects are favorable.
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1- CSG Systems International Inc (NASDAQ: CSGS)
Ever wonder how your phone bill is calculated down to the cent or how streaming services manage millions of subscriptions? That’s where CSG Systems International comes in. This company provides the billing, customer management, and revenue tracking software that keeps telecom, media, and tech companies running smoothly. Researchers are very pleased with the company’s latest quarterly report — CSGS is also trading at an attractive valuation and has a robust balance sheet that can finance further growth.
Zen Rating: A (Strong Buy) — see full analysis >
Recent Price: $62.32 — get current quote >
Max 1-year forecast: $80.00
Why we’re watching:
- In total, 12 Wall Street researchers track CSGS stock and issue ratings for it. With 3 Strong Buy ratings, 3 Buy ratings, and a lone Hold rating, it enjoys broad analyst support. See the ratings
- Shlomo Rosenbaum of Stifel Nicolaus (a top 16% rated analyst) doubled down on a previously issued Strong Buy rating on February 6. Rosenbaum increased his price target from $60 to $66.
- Further clarifying his decision in a note shared with investors, the researcher called the company’s Q4 and FY 2024 earnings report “very strong across most key metrics.”
- Management's FY 2025 guidance implies consensus revenue and EPS numbers are "likely to move up," while FY 2026's margin and free cash flow commentary was "positive," the analyst said.
- With an overall Zen Rating of A, CSG Systems stock belongs to a class of equities that provide an average annual return of 32.52%.
- The 7 Component Grade Ratings that make up a Zen Rating are surprisingly well-rounded in CSGS’ case. The stock has a whopping 6 ratings with a B grade.
- However, we’d highlight its Financials rating, where it ranks in the top 6% of all the stocks we track, and its Safety and Value ratings, where it ranks in the top 10%.(See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)
2- Bio-Techne Corp (NASDAQ: TECH)
Ever heard of a pick-and-shovel play? How about a syringe and ampoule play? Bio-Techne Corp provides high-quality reagents, proteins, and diagnostic tools that make breakthroughs in the biotech sector possible. The company’s latest earnings report was so strong that a top Wall Street analyst called it a positive sign for all similar businesses — and as a key, behind-the-scenes player in a dynamic field, TECH is well-positioned going forward.
Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis >
Recent Price: $67.44 — get current quote >
Max 1-year forecast: $95.00
Why we’re watching:
- Of the 5 researchers who cover Bio Techne stock, 2 rate it a Strong Buy — another 2 rate it a Buy, and only one analyst rates it a Hold. See the ratings
- Notably, KeyBanc’s John Vinh (a top 2% rated analyst) reissued a Strong Buy rating after the company reported its Q2 2025 earnings. Vinh also hiked his price target from $80 to $95.
- In a note shared with analysts, Vinh stated the quarterly report was “a positive indicator for other life science tools companies”, as well as a continuation of Q1’s strength.
- A Zen Rating of B puts TECH stock in the top 20% of all equities according to our proprietary quant system. To be a bit more pedantic, it specifically ranks in the top 6%.
- Bio-Techne Corp shines when it comes to two particular Component Grade ratings — Safety and Financials, where it is in the 91st and 93rd percentile, respectively. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)
3- Universal Technical Institute (NYSE: UTI)
Although our third entry has a rather unfortunate ticker, its performance is anything but. When you think of for-profit education, you most likely tend to think of college — but Universal Technical Institute is focused on an often-overlooked and high-demand area — trades. UTI stock has seen prices increase by 69.17% over the past 365 days — and analysts are confident that there’s still plenty of room to grow.
Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis >
Recent Price: $27.41 — get current quote >
Max 1-year forecast: $36.00
Why we’re watching:
- UTI merits a Strong Buy consensus from the analysts we track. Of the 6 researchers in total, 4 rate it a Strong Buy, and 2 rate it a Buy. Notably, there are no Hold, Sell, or Strong Sell ratings to be found here. See the ratings
- On February 5, the company reported its Q1 2025 earnings. Soon after, Rosenblatt analyst Steve Frankel (a top 9% analyst) reaffirmed a prior Strong Buy rating and increased his price target on the stock from $30 to $36.
- Frankel attributed the "beat and raise" quarter to "the continuing payoff from the combination of strong corporate partnerships and successful outcomes that drive a high return on investment for students at the company's schools.
- Looking ahead, Rosenblatt believes Universal Technical Institute's "story is still in the early innings," the analyst said.
- With a Zen Rating of B, Universal Technical Institute is in good company. Stocks with this rating have provided an average annual return of 19.88% per year.
- In terms of its Zen Rating Component Grades, Universal Technical has two particularly strong suits — with both Momentum and Financials rated B. In these two categories, UTI stock ranks in the top 6% and 8% of all the equities we track, respectively. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)
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