3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 04/02/2026

Make space on your watchlist! Here are 3 stocks with fresh Buy upgrades in our Zen Ratings system.

• Ciena Corp (CIEN) — AI networking backbone with 716% surge from lows
• Valero Energy (VLO) — Crack spreads rising, sitting near 52-week highs
• AAR Corp (AIR) — $450M Air Force contract fuels aerospace momentum

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1. Valero Energy Corp (NYSE: VLO)

Valero is one of the world's largest independent refiners, and right now it's in a sweet spot. Widening crack spreads have turned the company into what analysts are calling a "cash-printing machine," with the stock surging over 40% in 2026 to all-time highs while management rewards shareholders through a freshly hiked dividend and billions in buybacks.

Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $250.53 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $290.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Currently, VLO enjoys 7 Strong Buy ratings and 4 Hold ratings among 11 analysts, demonstrating confidence in the refining cycle despite some caution. See the ratings
• For example, Raymond James' Justin Jenkins (a top 1% rated analyst) maintains his Strong Buy rating with a $290 price target (15% upside), citing strength in upward momentum as refining margins improve across the sector.
• Industry ranking context: VLO is currently the 6th highest-rated stock in the Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing industry, which has an Industry Rating of A. (See more winning oil + gas stocks here.)
• Zen Rating highlights: As a Buy-rated stock, VLO ranks in the top 20% of stocks we track based on a rigorous 115-factor analysis. 
• Component Grades: Valero demonstrates solid strength with B grades in Growth, Momentum, and Financials, while Value, Sentiment, and Safety score C grades, reflecting the cyclical nature of the refining business with ROE of 37.3% and projected EPS growth of 60% year-over-year. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

2. Aar Corp (NYSE: AIR)

AAR Corp is an aerospace aftermarket powerhouse serving both commercial airlines and the U.S. military. The company just crushed Q3 estimates — reporting EPS of $1.79 versus the $1.15 expected — while sales surged 25% year-over-year to $845 million, backed by a freshly awarded $450 million U.S. Air Force pallet contract that deepens its government backlog.

Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $102.01 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $150.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Strong backing with 3 Strong Buy ratings, 1 Buy rating, and 1 Hold rating among 5 analysts covering the stock. See the ratings
• For example, Truist Securities' Michael Ciarmoli (top 1%) reiterates his Strong Buy rating with a $128 price target (24% upside), demonstrating continued confidence in AAR's growth trajectory in both commercial and defense markets.
• RBC Capital's Kenneth Herbert (top 2%) holds a Buy rating with a $125 price target following the company's strong Q3 results and positive forward guidance.
• The company recently announced Q3 fiscal 2026 results that surpassed estimates, with sales increasing year-over-year, and secured a significant $450 million in pallet contracts for the U.S. Air Force, strengthening its government business backlog.
• Industry ranking context: AIR is currently the 11th highest-rated stock in the Defense industry among 77 companies, which has an Industry Rating of C. 
• Zen Rating highlights: As a B-rated stock, AIR is in a class of stocks that have historically delivered 19.88% annual returns, demonstrating strong momentum in the aerospace recovery cycle.
• Component Grades: AAR shows balanced strength with B grades in Growth, Momentum, and Sentiment, while Value, Safety, and Financials score C grades. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

3. Ciena Corp (NYSE: CIEN)

Ciena is an under-the-radar company wiring the AI revolution. As hyperscalers race to expand data center capacity, Ciena's optical networking has become mission-critical — with cloud provider revenue surging 76% year-over-year and now making up 42% of total sales.

Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $357.00 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $430.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: CIEN currently enjoys 8 Strong Buy ratings, 1 Buy rating, and 4 Hold ratings among 13 analysts we track. See the ratings
• Looking on the bullish side, Stifel Nicolaus' Ruben Roy (a top 1% rated analyst) maintains his Strong Buy rating with a $430 price target (nearly 20% upside) following Ciena's very strong fiscal first quarter results, noting unprecedented, broad-based demand as the company enables customers to monetize their AI investments.
• Recently, Ciena delivered exceptional Q1 2026 results with EPS of $1.35 (beating estimates of $1.14) and revenue of $1.43B, issuing full-year guidance of $5.9B to $6.3B as management noted industry-leading technology and deep customer relationships position them well for multi-year AI-driven demand.
• Industry ranking context: CIEN is currently the 8th highest-rated stock in the Communication Equipment industry, which has an Industry Rating of B. See more winning picks in the industry here.
• Zen Rating highlights: With its B rating, CIEN has demonstrated exceptional potential based on our 115-factor review, and lands in a class of stocks that have historically delivered nearly 20% annually to investors.
• Component Grades: Looking at the Component Grades that shape the overall rating, Ciena shows excellent strength with A and B grades across Growth, Momentum, Sentiment, Safety, and Financials. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

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