Wall Street's top analysts shuffled their deck on Friday, adjusting price targets and ratings across a diverse set of companies. The moves ranged from optimistic boosts for tech and retail giants to sobering downgrades that reflected changing market dynamics.
The Big Winners
Palo Alto Networks Inc (PANW) caught a vote of confidence from Goldman Sachs, which lifted its price target from $236 to $240 while maintaining a Buy rating. Analyst Gabriela Borges remains bullish on the cybersecurity company, whose shares closed Thursday at $185.07. That new target implies roughly 30% upside potential for investors.
Over in retail land, Walmart Inc (WMT) received an upgraded price target from BTIG, moving from $120 to $125. Analyst Robert Drbul kept his Buy rating intact. Walmart shares finished Thursday's session at $107.11, leaving plenty of room to run if BTIG's thesis plays out.
Mediwound Ltd (MDWD) saw one of the more substantial target increases, with HC Wainwright & Co. bumping its outlook from $31 to $36. Analyst Swayampakula Ramakanth maintained a Buy rating on the stock, which closed at $16.86 on Thursday.
Kulicke And Soffa Industries Inc (KLIC) also got a boost, with Needham raising its price target from $40 to $46. Analyst Charles Shi kept a Buy rating on the semiconductor equipment maker, which settled at $39.03 on Thursday.
Energy and Finance Join the Party
Helmerich and Payne Inc (HP) experienced both an upgrade and a price target increase from Goldman Sachs. Analyst Neil Mehta moved the rating from Sell to Neutral while raising the target from $20 to $28. The oil and gas drilling company's shares closed at $26.10 on Thursday, approaching that new target.
Block Inc (XYZ) received a modest price target bump from B of A Securities, moving from $86 to $88. Analyst Jason Kupferberg maintained a Buy rating on the fintech company, whose shares finished Thursday at $61.95.
The Downgrades
Not everyone got good news. Bath & Body Works Inc (BBWI) took a significant hit as Baird analyst Mark Altschwager downgraded the stock from Outperform to Neutral while slashing the price target from $33 to $19. The retailer's shares closed at $15.82 on Thursday, already trading below even the reduced target.
Jacobs Solutions Inc (J) faced a similar fate, with Baird cutting its price target from $161 to $146 and downgrading the rating from Outperform to Neutral. Analyst Andrew Wittmann's move came as shares closed at $129.17 on Thursday.
Brightview Holdings Inc (BV) saw Morgan Stanley reduce its price target from $16 to $12, though analyst Toni Kaplan maintained an Equal-Weight rating. Brightview shares settled at $11.74 on Thursday, trading below the new target.
The Small Caps
Finally, Plus Therapeutics Inc (PSTV) had its price target trimmed by Ascendiant Capital from $21 to $19, though analyst Edward Woo kept a Buy rating. The biotech company's shares settled at just $0.49 on Thursday, representing a massive gap between current trading levels and analyst expectations.
These rating changes reflect the ongoing recalibration happening across Wall Street as firms adjust to evolving market conditions, company performance, and sector dynamics. Whether you're watching the cybersecurity space heat up or tracking retail's challenges, analyst calls like these provide valuable insight into where the smart money sees opportunity and risk.