Top Wall Street analysts are confident about the potential of these 3 stocks
While top Wall Street analysts also watch the quarterly results closely, they generally have a broader focus and assess the company's ability to navigate short-term difficulties and deliver attractive returns over the long term.
Here are three stocks favored by the Street's top pros, according to TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.
First on this week's list is ride-sharing and delivery platform Uber Technologies (UBER). The company is scheduled to announce its second-quarter results on Aug. 6.
In a preview note on Uber's Q2 earnings, Evercore analyst Mark Mahaney stated that he expects the company to report a 17% year-over-year growth in gross bookings to $46.8 billion, slightly above the Street's estimate and within the company's guidance.
The analyst expects revenue growth of 18%, modestly above the Street's expectations, and EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) of $2.09 billion, in line with the consensus estimate. Mahaney's estimates are based on favorable industry checks for consumer demand trends, third-party data checks, and Evercore's non-deal roadshows (NDR) with UBER management. The analyst's expectations are also backed by Evercore's 8th Annual U.S. Ridesharing Survey and insights from its NDR with DoorDash management.
Despite the stellar year-to-date rally, Mahaney stated that UBER remains a top pick for Evercore. He attributed the stock's rise to multiple factors, including better-than-expected growth in Mobility and Delivery bookings over the past two quarters and positive key user metrics and the impressive rollout of Waymo in Austin on the Uber network.
"Key to our Long Thesis – we believe there will be 'more Austins' – more successful robotaxi partner rollouts for Uber, and not just with Waymo, over the next 12-18 months," said Mahaney and reaffirmed a buy rating on UBER stock with a price forecast of $115. Meanwhile, TipRanks' AI analyst has an "outperform" rating on UBER stock with a price forecast of $108.
Mahaney ranks No. 219 among more than 9,800 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 60% of the time, delivering an average return of 15.9%. See Uber Technologies Statistics on TipRanks.
We move to Alphabet (GOOGL), the parent company of search engine giant Google. In a Q2 earnings preview of the companies in the internet space, JPMorgan analyst Doug Anmuth reaffirmed a buy rating on GOOGL stock and increased the price forecast to $200 from $195. In comparison, TipRanks' AI analyst has a price target of $199 on GOOGL stock with an "outperform" rating. Anmuth explained that his higher estimates mainly reflect better channel checks and third-party data as well as more favorable forex changes.
Anmuth added that his revised price target is based on a multiple of about 20-times his 2026 GAAP earnings per share (EPS) estimate of $9.89. The analyst believes that Alphabet deserves to trade at a premium to the S&P 500, given that it is one of the few companies in this index with a double-digit percent revenue and EPS growth on a very large base. He also highlighted the company's more than 30% GAAP operating income margin.
"We believe Alphabet's fundamentals are solid and the company will remain both a driver of and primary beneficiary of an increasingly digital economy & advances in Generative AI," said Anmuth.
He highlighted Alphabet's continued focus on innovation. Anmuth sees a healthy runway across Search and YouTube ads, with artificial intelligence (AI) fueling higher return on investment (ROI) and a shift in TV dollars to online channels. Furthermore, he said that Alphabet's non-ad businesses, like Cloud and YouTube subscription services, still have substantial scope to grow. Anmuth also said that the companies within Alphabet's Other Bets division, including Waymo and Verily, provide potential upside.
Overall, Anmuth is bullish about Alphabet's ability to innovate around generative AI, control costs and deliver impressive revenue growth.
Anmuth ranks No. 56 among more than 9,800 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 65% of the time, delivering an average return of 21.6%. See Alphabet Stock News and Insights on TipRanks.
Anmuth is also bullish on social media giant Meta Platforms (META) and raised the price target for the stock to $795 from $735 while maintaining a buy rating ahead of the company's Q2 results. In comparison, TipRanks' AI analyst has an "outperform" rating on META stock with a price target of $798.
The analyst explained that the upgraded price target is based on about 27-times his 2026 GAAP EPS estimate of $29.53. Anmuth believes that META stock's premium valuation to the S&P 500 is justified, as he has greater confidence in the company's robust top-line growth and ongoing cost efficiencies.
"We believe Meta's virtual ownership of the social graph, strong competitive moat, and focus on the user experience position it to become an enduring blue-chip company built for the long term," said Anmuth.
The analyst noted Meta Platforms' strength in terms of scale, growth, and profitability, with its extensive reach and engagement continuing to drive network effects. Anmuth also noted the company's targeting abilities that offer huge value to advertisers.
Anmuth stated that Meta will invest in the massive growth opportunities offered by the two big tech waves – AI and Metaverse, while also focusing on cost discipline. Despite significant infrastructure investments, the analyst expects Meta Platforms to deliver strong revenue and EPS growth in 2026. He noted Meta's solid track record in delivering returns on higher spending. See Meta Platforms Insider Trading Activity on TipRanks.
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