3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 02/20/2026

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

• Flowserve (FLS) — Did somebody say 51% earnings growth forecast?
• Howmet Aerospace (HWM) — The aerospace demand surge is fueling record margins and momentum
• Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) — A pipeline beyond Ingrezza could unlock serious upside potential

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1. Howmet Aerospace (NYSE: HWM)

Howmet Aerospace is quietly dominating the skies — delivering jet engine components, aerospace fasteners, and titanium structural parts while just beating Q4 2025 earnings estimates. With commercial aerospace demand soaring and margins expanding, this under-the-radar industrial giant may be worth a closer look.

Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $250.11 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $290.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Strong coverage from 10 analysts with 8 Strong Buy and 1 Buy rating demonstrates robust conviction despite the stock trading near 52-week highs. See the ratings
• Truist Securities' Michael Ciarmoli (top 1%) maintains a Strong Buy, highlighting the company's multi-year aerospace growth cycle driven by increasing narrow-body and wide-body aircraft production rates.
• RBC Capital researcher Kenneth Herbert (top 1%) maintains a Buy at $235.00, emphasizing Howmet's leadership position in jet engine components with significant barriers to entry.
• Industry ranking context: HWM is currently the 8th highest-rated stock in the Defense industry among 73 companies, reflecting its strong positioning in the aerospace supply chain.
• Zen Rating highlights: With its B (Buy) rating, Howmet is considered an above-average stock among the 4600+ tickers we track; stocks with B ratings have historically delivered an average gain of 19.88% annually. 
• Component Grades: The stock demonstrates outstanding financial performance with an A grade in Financials and B grades in Momentum, Sentiment, and Safety, indicating solid execution and market confidence despite premium valuation. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

2. Neurocrine Biosciences (NASDAQ: NBIX)

Neurocrine Biosciences is quietly building a pharmaceutical powerhouse — and with a robust pipeline stretching far beyond its flagship Ingrezza franchise, analysts are bullish on where this neurological and psychiatric drug maker is headed next.

Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $128.38 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $204.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Impressive backing from 16 analysts with 9 Strong Buy and 4 Buy ratings reflects confidence in the company's diversified pipeline beyond Ingrezza. See the ratings
• JP Morgan's Anupam Rama (a top 5% rated analyst) recently maintained a Strong Buy rating with a $176.00 price target, emphasizing the company's innovative product pipeline and strong long-term growth prospects.
• Citigroup's Yigal Nochomovitz (top 10%) maintains positive coverage, recognizing the company's strong financial position with $388.4M in operating cash flow and minimal debt.
• Industry ranking context: NBIX is currently the 18th highest-rated stock in the Pharmaceutical industry, which has an Industry Rating of B, positioning it solidly among mid-tier pharmaceutical innovators.
• Zen Rating highlights: NBIX earns an overall B (Buy) rating in our Zen Ratings system, demonstrating above-average fundamentals based on our proprietary 115-factor review.
• Component Grades: The stock stands out with A grades in Value and Financials, supported by strong profitability metrics and a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, indicating conservative financial management. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

3. Flowserve (NYSE: FLS)

The outlook is sunny for this global supplier of industrial and environmental machinery. In a show of confidence in its cash flow and commitment to shareholders, the company recently raised its quarterly dividend by 5% to $0.22 per share.

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

Recent Price: $89.76 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $98.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Coverage from 9 analysts includes 5 Strong Buy and 2 Buy ratings. See the ratings
• Citigroup's Andy Kaplowitz (a top 1% rated analyst) recently maintained a Strong Buy rating with the highest price target of $98.00, representing +9.18% upside potential following Q4 2025 results.
• Stifel Nicolaus researcher Nathan Jones (top 1%) maintains a Strong Buy at $97.00, highlighting the company's strong aftermarket revenue growth and improving margins in its flow control segment.
• Zen Rating highlights: Strong Buy (A) stocks average +32.52%/yr — Flowserve's rating reflects solid momentum with earnings forecast to grow +51.73% in the coming year to $4.04 per share.
• Component Grades: The stock shows B grades in Value, Momentum, Safety, and Financials, indicating well-rounded fundamentals with strong operating cash flow of $505.88M supporting the recent dividend increase. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

What to Do Next?

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