3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 12/27/2024
Here’s today’s fresh catch: 3 superfresh Strong Buy recommendations from top-rated analysts. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL) gets analyst love despite a DOJ debacle, Goldman gets bullish on Crowdstrike Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWD), and Carnival Corp. (NYSE: CCL) is setting sail for an amazing 2025. Here’s the story.
1- Crowdstrike Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWD)
Think of this company as protection for your cloud-based workload. Following a massive dip earlier this year, the company appears to be making a recovery, and analysts are bullish about its prospects in 2025.
Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis >
Recent Price: $365.36 — get current quote >
Max 1-year forecast: $450.00
Why we’re watching:
- Analyst support: Based on 38 analysts we track issuing ratings on CRWD, the stock has a Strong Buy consensus. See the ratings
- Notably, Gabriela Borges of Goldman Sachs (a top 13% analyst), who maintains a Strong Buy rating, just raised their price target on CRWD by 11.6% from $372 to $415.
- Borges attributed their price target hike on CrowdStrike Holdings to Goldman Sachs introducing its FY 2028 EPS forecast and rolling its valuation forward from FY 2027.
- The analyst explained that in the context of industry growth and CrowdStrike's growing go-to-market team, their firm predicts the company will deliver net new ARR 17% above consensus for Q3 FY 2026 through Q2 FY 2027.
- B (Buy) rating: According to Zen Ratings, our proprietary ratings system that distills 115 factors about each stock into an easy-to-understand letter grade, Crowdstrike earns a B (Buy) rating, indicating it’s an above-average stock among the thousands of equities we track.
- Each Zen Rating is based on 7 Component grades. CRWD earns above-average marks in Growth and Financials, suggesting a company with growth potential that maintains a solid balance sheet. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)
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2- Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL)
We don’t really have to tell you what Google is, do we? Despite a little kerfuffle with the DOJ, analysts are optimistic about GOOGL’s prospects in 2025. With solid Financials and Growth Ratings on Zen Ratings, it’s a stock worth watching. Here’s why.
Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis >
Recent Price: $195.76 — get current quote >
Max 1-year forecast: $240.00
Why we’re watching:
- Analyst support: Among the 30 top-rated analysts we track issuing ratings on GOOGL, it earns a consensus Buy rating, with price targets suggesting as much as 22% growth in the next year. See the ratings
- Notably, Justin Post of Bank of America (a top 2% analyst) just maintained a Strong Buy rating and $210 price target on the stock.
- Updating readers on the DOJ antitrust suit, the analyst told readers that Google has filed its counter-remedy proposal.
- Post said that the implications of Google's remedy proposal include opening the door for greater competition on mobile devices from existing app and browser competitors, as well as for new AI entrants.
- Zen Ratings, which looks at 115 unique factors that play into a stock’s potential success, gives GOOGL a B (Buy) rating, suggesting that upon reviewing dozens of different aspects of the business, it shines as a stock with above-average potential.
- Those 115 factors are organized into 7 Component Grades which shape the overall rating; GOOGL stands out with high marks for Safety and Financials, suggesting it’s a pick that might be suited to more risk-averse investors. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)
3- Carnival Corp. (NYSE: CCL)
While you weren’t looking, Carnival Corporation — you know, the cruise ship company — has experienced tremendous gains. Here’s why analysts believe this company could be sailing into a great 2025.
Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis >
Recent Price: $25.79 — get current quote >
Max 1-year forecast: $34.00
Why we’re watching:
- Analyst support: Based on 16 top-rated analysts we track issuing ratings on CCL, the stock enjoys a Buy consensus. See the ratings
- Notably, Steven Wieczynski of Stifel Nicolaus (a top 7% analyst) just increased their price target on CCL to $34, which, if achieved, would represent over 30% upside.
- Indications show that demand and pricing for FY 2025 cruises are at record highs, the analyst said, noting that even Carnival's traditionally conservative management "can't mask how well next year should play out."
- Wieczynski predicted a "$2-handle" EPS for Carvival's FY 2025 and argued that investors are not adequately accounting for the company's "substantial free cash flow creation starting in 2025."
- CCL also stands out as a top-tier stock according to Zen Ratings. It has an overall B (Buy) grade, meaning that upon a review of 115 factors, it stands out as being in the top 20% of all stocks we cover.
- Of the components that play into that grade, CCL enjoys particularly good scores for Value and Sentiment, indicating it could be a well-priced stock (for now) and that professionals believe it has strong near-term potential. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)
What to Do Next?
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