Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Broadcom, Palantir, Starbucks, Apple, Peloton, PNC, CoreWeave & more

CNBC

2 days ago

Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Wednesday: Goldman Sachs reiterates CoreWeave as neutral Goldman says it's standing by its neutral rating ahead of earnings on August 12. "Since we launched coverage last April, CoreWeave's financial profile has largely played out (see our initiation report for more details), quieting some of the most draconian bear cases." Bank of America downgrades UPS to neutral from buy Bank of America says cost cuts are not coming fast enough at the Atlanta-based shipper. "We lower our rating on UPS ' shares to Neutral from Buy given a larger-than-expected small- to medium sized business volume deceleration, slower-than than anticipated cost takeout, accelerating Amazon business glide-down, higher than expected Ground Saver costs and delayed benefit from its voluntary driver separation program." Loop reiterates Palantir as buy Loop says it's sticking with the stock ahead of earnings on August 4. "Based on our checks, we expect PLTR to deliver another beat and raise, with revenue outperformance in line with or exceeding the 5-quarter average upside of 4.3% above the midpoint of guidance." Morgan Stanley reiterates Broadcom and Nvidia as overweight Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Nvidia to $200 per share from $170. The bank also raised its price target on Broadcom to $338 per share from $270. "We think that the increase in enthusiasm for AI semis is justified by long term strength in the business, and raise targets across the board — though some near term constraints remain. PTs higher across the board, stay OW NVDA AVGO ALAB." Read more. Baird upgrades Ecolab to outperform from neutral Baird says investors should buy any dip in shares of the chemical company. "ECL still isn't 'cheap' per se, especially given muted volumes, but its recurring revenue model and strong competitive position, combined with very low tariff risk for a multinational industrial are all notable positives for large cap investors." Bank of America downgrades Novo Nordisk to neutral from buy The bank said in its downgrade of Novo Nordisk that it sees too many negative catalysts for shares of the Danish maker of insulin and obesity drugs. "Downgrade. Not enough visibility on growth; Further pressures coming." Read more. Jefferies upgrades Aon to buy from hold Jefferies says the insurance company is well positioned for growth. " AON is positioned to show accelerating margin expansion driven by continued favorable organic growth, productivity gains and cost savings. Wolfe upgrades Veralto outperform from peer perform Wolfe says shares of the water quality company have more room to run. "We upgrade VLTO to OP as we see scope for the positive estimate revision trend to continue, with a return to [mid single digit] organic growth driving [high single digit] EPS growth." UBS upgrades Peloton to buy from neutral UBS says it sees several positive catalysts ahead for the fitness biking company. "We are upgrading PTON to Buy from Neutral with PT of $11, implying near doubling of the stock from current levels." Read more. Citigroup adds a positive catalyst watch on Eli Lilly Citi says it sees an attractive setup for shares of Eli Lilly. "...the overall setup for LLY shares looks very favorable, in our view. We're maintaining our Buy rating and $1,190 TP and opening a 90-day upside catalyst watch on LLY." Oppenheimer upgrades PNC to outperform from perform Oppenheimer says shares of the Pittsburgh-based regional bank are compelling compared to peers in the sector. "Upgraded with this report, PNC has lagged the group, up just 0.6% YTD.." Bank of America upgrades Brown & Brown to buy from neutral Bank of America says investors should buy the dip in shares of the insurance broker. " BRO shares have fallen 26% since April 2, while the S & P 500 has appreciated 13%. This would represent one of the most significant periods of ... underperformance in BRO's history." Morgan Stanley reiterates Apple as overweight The firm says Apple is a beneficiary of the Big Beautiful bill. "We estimate that over the next 4 years, the [One Big Beautiful Bill] will add a cumulative $20.3B of upside to our AAPL [free-cash flow] forecast, all else equal, which equates to an average annual FCF tailwind of 4%." Wells Fargo reiterates Starbucks as overweight Wells says it's sticking with shares of Starbucks. "FQ3 was a bit messy, but U.S. comps were ~inline, labor investments sized (better vs feared) & initiatives showing promise.; We think the narrative improves as focus shifts to easier Q4 compares, more restructuring & '26 innovation." Baird upgrades Ormat Technologies to outperform from neutral Baird says the nuclear tech company is a beneficiary of the recently-passed Big Beautiful bill. "Recall that we initiated coverage of ORA late in Q1 with a Neutral rating and positive bias, noting that the permanence of IRA incentives were a factor keeping us from Outperform. With geothermal gaining support and favorable treatment in the BBB, we are becoming more constructive."