One of the top stock picks favored by analysts is Delta Air Lines (DAL), America’s second-largest carrier. With a presence in more than 290 destinations across six continents, Delta operates around 4,000 daily flights. Analyst Helane Becker from TD Cowen recently reiterated a buy rating on DAL with a price target of $55. Becker highlighted Delta’s strategic plan, which has been in focus for the past 15 years and is delivering favorable results. The company’s stable management team, extensive network, strategic partnerships with other airlines, and operational reliability have all been noted as key strengths. Delta’s commentary on the continued strength of demand among premium customers and the solid rebound in corporate travel are positive indicators. Additionally, the carrier is reducing debt to strengthen its financial position. Becker’s track record and past performance rank her at No. 276 among more than 8,800 analysts tracked by TipRanks.
Another stock pick by analysts is software giant Microsoft (MSFT). The company has heavily invested in AI and was one of the key beneficiaries of the generative AI wave. Analyst Ivan Feinseth from Tigress Financial raised his price target on MSFT to $550 from $475 and reiterated a buy rating on the stock. Feinseth believes Microsoft is well-positioned to lead the AI revolution through the integration of generative AI functionality across its software stack and product portfolio. The company’s revenue growth in the fiscal third quarter was driven by the accelerated adoption of AI-enabled offerings and cloud integration. Microsoft’s strength in gaming, highlighted by the recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard and the launch of a new Xbox console, is seen as a positive indicator. Feinseth also mentioned the company’s strong financial position, supporting enhanced shareholder returns and investments in AI ambitions. Feinseth is ranked at No. 242 among analysts tracked by TipRanks.
Zscaler (ZS) is a cloud-based cybersecurity player and one of the top stock picks by analysts. The company’s Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform has been praised for securely connecting users, devices, and applications while protecting them from cyberattacks and data loss. Analyst Shrenik Kothari from Baird reaffirmed a buy rating on Zscaler stock with a price target of $260 following the Zenith Live 2024 event. Kothari highlighted Zscaler’s efforts to capture additional market opportunities by expanding its platform. With the introduction of Zscaler Identity Protection, Cloud Browser Isolation, and DLP 2.0 solutions, the company has improved its market position and increased its total addressable market. Zscaler’s shift towards account-centric selling and focus on adding customers with ARR above $10 million have been positively received. Kothari ranks at No. 381 among analysts tracked by TipRanks.
Investors looking for stock recommendations from top analysts can consider Delta Air Lines, Microsoft, and Zscaler as potential picks for their portfolios. These companies have solid fundamentals, strong growth prospects, and positive outlooks based on analyst ratings and past performance. It is essential for investors to conduct further research and consider their own risk tolerance before making any investment decisions.