3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 07/17/2025

Happy Thursday! Here’s the latest from our mega-popular Strong Buy Stocks from Top Wall Street Analysts screener:

• Meta Platforms (META) can’t stop, won’t stop
• Why analysts believe HealthEquity (HQY) could see hefty upside 
• Worth checking out: Plexus (PLXS) is a highly rated stock in a highly rated industry

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1. HealthEquity (NASDAQ: HQY) 

HealthEquity offers a full suite of consumer-directed benefits — including HSAs, FSAs, HRAs, COBRA, and commuter programs — all delivered through a unified, cloud-based platform. Its tools let users pay medical bills, track spending, compare treatment options, and invest healthcare savings. At present, analysts are quite bullish on HQY, which ranks highly in terms of Growth and Safety.

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

Recent Price: $97.92 — get current quote > 

Max 1-year forecast: $125.00 

Why we’re watching:

• HQY enjoys broad, positive coverage from Wall Street analysts. At present, the stock has 5 Strong Buy ratings, 3 Buy ratings, and 1 Hold rating. See the ratings
• Moreover, the average 12-month price forecast for HealthEquity shares, currently pegged at $116.44, implies a hefty 16.74% upside from current prices.
• Raymond James researcher Gregory Peters (a top 4% rated analyst) recently reiterated a Strong Buy rating on the stock and increased his price target from $115 to $120.
• According to Peters, in Q1, HealthEquity's management finally got a handle on the fraud that had been plaguing the company for the previous three quarters.
• The analyst predicted that HealthEquity would increase its earnings growth and free cash flow by double digits and further expand its margins through FY 2028.
• HealthEquity is currently the 9th highest-rated stock in the Health Information Service industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
• HQY ranks in the 87th percentile of the more than 4,600 equities that our system tracks, giving it a Zen Rating of B.
• Safety and Growth are HealthEquity’s biggest strengths — in these two categories, the stock ranks in the top 16% and 15% of equities, respectively. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)

2. Plexus (NASDAQ: PLXS) 

Plexus provides design, manufacturing, and supply chain solutions for highly regulated industries like healthcare, aerospace, and defense. Unlike mass-scale contract manufacturers, the company focuses on low- to mid-volume, high-complexity builds — think medical devices, avionics systems, and semiconductor tools. While it hasn’t attracted a lot of attention from Wall Street thus far, PLXS has beaten earnings estimates for five consecutive quarters — and if things keep going the way they are, continued outperformance will most likely garner upward momentum.

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

Recent Price: $137.55 — get current quote > 

Max 1-year forecast: $162.00 

Why we’re watching:

• PLXS has flown under analysts’ radars thus far. The stock only has two ratings — 1 Strong Buy and 1 Buy. See the ratings
• The average price target for Plexus shares, which currently sits at $161, implies an 18.59% upside from current prices.
• Benchmark researcher David Williams (a top 2% rated analyst) recently reiterated a Strong Buy rating on PLXS, and reaffirmed a $160 price target.
• At the moment, PLXS is the 3rd highest-rated stock in the Electronic Component industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
• Plexus stock ranks in the top 3% of the equities our system tracks, giving it a Zen Rating of A.
• PLXS ranks in the top 8% of stocks when it comes to Safety, as well as the top 7% in terms of Growth. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)

3. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) 

Meta Platforms is more than just Facebook — it’s also the parent company of Instagram, and WhatsApp, plus an AI and VR innovator. Bottom line? Meta keeps redefining the digital landscape, and with strong ad revenue and bold bets on the future, it’s well worth watching. The stock is currently within striking distance of its all-time high (ATH) — and if it manages to get over the hump, there will doubtlessly be plenty of upside before the rally ends.

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

Recent Price: $702.90 — get current quote > 

Max 1-year forecast: $935.00 

Why we’re watching:

• Unsurprisingly, one of the biggest names in tech attracts a lot of attention. At present, 38 analysts issue ratings for Meta Platforms. The ratings are split between 28 Strong Buys, 8 Buys, and 2 Holds. See the ratings
• Roth Capital researcher Rohit Kulkarni (a top 1% rated analyst) maintained a Strong Buy rating on META, and increased his price target from $620 to $740 ahead of the company’s Q2 2025 earnings.
• Heading into the print, Kulkarni said they are bullish on Facebook's ad ecosystem as a whole and think the company's stock is priced fairly, noting reduced volatility in the macro and tariff markets.
• In spite of the stock's "premium" price and "fuzzy" AI performance YTD, the analyst said possible incremental positives in the company's product roadmap are visible and that progress it has made monetizing WhatsApp.
• In addition, Ken Gawrelski of Wells Fargo (a top 7% rated analyst) also reiterated a Strong Buy rating recently, and increased his price forecast from $664 to $783.
• Gawrelski attributed their price target hike on Meta Platforms to "solid fundamentals, temporary tariff reprieves, and healthy ad checks.
• Looking long term, the analyst noted that company management is taking "decisive action to fortify its AI bets, investments the Street views favorably, although investor expectations for the returns are also rising."
• META ranks in the top 13% of the equities that our system tracks, giving it a Zen Rating of B.
• In terms of Artificial Intelligence, Momentum, and Sentiment, Meta Platforms ranks in the top 13%, 13%, and 12% of stocks, respectively.
• However, it comes as little surprise that the company’s balance sheet is its most pronounced advantage — when it comes to Financials, META ranks in the 98th percentile of equities. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)

What to Do Next?

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