3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 01/30/2026

Here’s a peek at the latest picks from our Strong Buy Stocks from Top Wall Street Analysts screener:

• Explosive growth catalyst emerging … Worthington Steel (WS)
• Wall Street’s top-ranked instrument stock … MKS (MKSI)
• Breakout biotech with massive earnings upside … Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)

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1. Worthington Steel (NYSE: WS)

Steel is back, baby! And this stock is a definite watch ahead of its March 18 earnings announcement. The company recently announced a $2.4 billion deal to acquire Kloeckner & Co, positioning itself for significant long-term growth despite near-term elevated debt levels before deleveraging efforts.

Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $38.95 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $47.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst coverage: While it’s limited, it’s very bullish. Only one analyst we track — KeyBanc's Philip Gibbs (a top 1% rated analyst) — rates the stock; he recently maintained a Strong Buy rating with a $47.00 price target following meetings with management about the company's agreement to acquire Klöckner & Co SE. 
• Gibbs observed that aggressive small-cap growth investors will be attracted to Worthington Steel's "tremendous" long-term EPS potential powered by the acquisition. See the forecast here
• Industry ranking context: WS is currently the 4th highest-rated stock out of 16 in the Steel industry, which has an Industry Rating of B.
• Zen Rating highlights: Buy (B) stocks average +19.88%/yr; WS’s B rating reflects solid growth potential for this small-cap value play.
• Component Grades: Value earns a B grade while Growth also scores a B, supported by projected earnings per share forecast of $3.12 in two years representing +23.85% growth, and revenue expected to reach $3.9B. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here)

2. MKS (NASDAQ: MKSI)

This company provides myriad solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power, and control critical parameters of manufacturing processes worldwide. The company recently announced a proposed private offering of €1.0 billion in senior notes and is preparing for its fourth quarter and full year 2025 earnings conference call.

Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $237.53 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $300.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: MKS commands Wall Street enthusiasm with 7 Strong Buy ratings, 2 Buy ratings, 1 Hold, and 1 Strong Sell among 11 analysts we track. See the ratings
• Morgan Stanley's Joseph Moore (a top 1% rated analyst) maintains a Strong Buy rating with a $258.00 price target, reflecting confidence in the company's positioning.
• Cantor Fitzgerald's Matthew Prisco (a top 1% rated analyst) leads with the highest price target of $300.00, signaling maximum upside potential of around 30%.
• Industry ranking context: MKSI is currently the #1 highest-rated stock in the Scientific & Technical Instrument industry, which has an Industry Rating of B.
• Zen Rating highlights: Buy (B) stocks average +19.88%/yr. With MKSI leading its industry sector, it appears poised for strong performance.
• Component Grades: Momentum, Sentiment, and Safety earn B ratings, indicating the stock is showing signs of continued momentum, analysts and insider buying activity remain bullish, and the stock isn’t highly risky. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here)

3. Elanco Animal Health (NYSE: ELAN)

This animal health innovator recently received USDA approval for Befrena™, a new anti-IL31 monoclonal antibody injection targeting canine allergic and atopic dermatitis, and will report fourth quarter and full year 2025 results on February 25, 2026.

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

Recent Price: $24.27 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $30.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Overwhelming bullish consensus with 6 Strong Buy ratings and 1 Hold rating among 7 analysts we track, reflecting exceptional confidence in the company's innovation-led growth model. See the ratings
• Piper Sandler's David Westenberg (a top 5% rated analyst) recently upgraded to Strong Buy with a $30.00 price target, citing strong expected earnings growth and the company's strategic initiatives gaining traction.
• Morgan Stanley's Erin Wright (a top 6% rated analyst) maintains a Hold rating with a $22.00 price target, taking a cautious stance due to market uncertainties despite the company's solid fundamentals.
• JP Morgan's Chris Schott (a top 13% rated analyst) upgraded to Strong Buy with a $24.00 price target, noting that revised estimates reflect robust growth potential with innovations in the pipeline showing promise.
• Industry ranking context: ELAN is currently the 9th highest-rated stock out of 57 in the Pharmaceutical industry, which has an Industry Rating of B.
• Zen Rating highlights: Strong Buy (A) stocks average +32.52%/yr — putting ELAN in a class of stocks poised for potential exceptional returns.
• Component Grades: Growth earns an exceptional A grade, powered by extraordinary projected earnings growth of 168.71% and earnings per share forecast to jump from $0.07 currently to $1.05 in one year, representing +1,406.29% growth. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here)

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