3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 01/09/2025

By Jessie Moore, Stock Researcher and Writer

January 9, 2025 1:58 PM UTC

3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 01/09/2025

1- Palomar Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: PLMR)

Palomar Holdings is an insurance holding company that provides specialty property insurance to residential and commercial customers. With data suggesting that primary insurers could thrive in 2025, stocks in the insurance niche are worth watching; all the more if they have an excellent Zen Rating as PLMR does.

Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis >

Recent Price: $106.49 — get current quote >

Max 1-year forecast: $136.00

Why we’re watching:

Analyst support: Currently, PLMR enjoys a Buy consensus among the 6 analysts we track issuing ratings. See the ratings
On the bullish side, Paul Newsome of Piper Sandler (a top 7% analyst) recently maintained a Strong Buy rating on PLMR and raised their price target by 11.8% from $119 to $133.
Hiking their price target on Palomar Holdings in a preview note, Newsome cited Piper Sandler's "reinsurance renewal data that suggests a favorable environment in 2025 for primary insurers. Investors should expect a quiet pre-announcement season from the group, the analyst added.
Palomar’s strength within an already-strong industry is evident by its Zen Rating of B (Buy), meaning the stock falls into the top 20% of the thousands of stocks we track after a rigorous review of 115 different factors proven to drive stock growth.
Playing into PLMR’s above-average grade are several Component Grades, such as a B for Momentum and Sentiment, indicating that this stock shows characteristics of an upward trajectory likely to continue and that factors such as insider buying, analyst activity, and short interest point to positive sentiment overall for the stock. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)

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2- Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META)

META is the social media and tech superstar behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — but it’s also advancing technologies like the metaverse. With its robust advertising ecosystem and growing AI-driven innovations, Meta has strong potential this year to enhance user engagement and unlock new revenue streams.

Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis >

Recent Price: $627.83 — get current quote >

Max 1-year forecast: $811.00

Why we’re watching:

Analyst support: Among the 39 analysts we track issuing ratings on META, the stock enjoys a Strong Buy consensus. See the ratings
It’s gotten several price target increases in the past few weeks. For example, Brent Thill of Jefferies (a top 2% analyst) Jefferies's Brent Thill, who maintains a Strong Buy rating on META, raised their price target 5.9% from $675 to $715 last Monday.
Our Zen Rating system identifies META as one of the top tech stocks to watch, with an overall B (Buy) rating and a top-10 rank within the overall industry.
Playing into that overall B Rating are several excellent Component Grades. META has a strong grade for Financials, Momentum, and Sentiment — but perhaps most interesting is its above-average AI rating, meaning that our proprietary algorithms have detected signs within market data that indicate META may enjoy superior performance for the foreseeable future. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)

3- Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK)

Upwork is a work marketplace that connects businesses with various independent professionals and agencies across the world. With the acceleration of AI and increased demand for remote positions, UPWK and stocks of the like could be poised for significant growth in the coming years.

Zen Rating: A (Strong Buy) — see full analysis >

Recent Price: $16.20 — get current quote >

Max 1-year forecast: $24.00

Why we’re watching:

Analyst support: UPWK currently enjoys a Strong Buy consensus among the analysts we track. See the ratings
Notably, Brent Thill of Jefferies (a top 2% analyst), who maintains a Strong Buy rating on UPWK, just raised their 1-year price target 5.3% from $19 to $20.
Thill reported that their update was catalyzed by a deep dive into their Technology (Software) sector coverage area.
The analyst said that near term, they are taking a more cautious and selective approach to the group going into 2025, citing the 2H 2024 weighted share performance and the traditionally seasonally challenged Q1.
However, Thill said that additional AI contributions should catalyze the space's acceleration in 2H 2025, predicting that "positive revisions on conservative guidance will come through."
Like Thill, our Zen Rating system is bullish on UPWK, giving it an A (Strong Buy) rating, which puts it in the top tier of stocks we track. Stocks with an A rating have historically enjoyed average annual returns of 32.52%.
Every Zen Rating is built on 7 Component Grades. UPWK enjoys great scores across the board, but particularly for Value and Financials, suggesting that the stock’s current price could be a bargain and that in addition to being well-priced, it shows signs of being a company in good financial health. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)