3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 09/23/2025

There’s a stock for every type of investor on our Strong Buy Stocks from Top Wall Street Analysts screener:

• Carnival Corp (CCL) is on a tear — signs point to continuation 
• Positive catalysts are plentiful for Encompass Health (EHC) in the near term 
• Ralph Lauren (RL) is a quiet, but definitive, Strong Buy stock with plenty of attractive attributes

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1. Carnival Corp (NYSE: CCL) 

Carnival Corp has staged an impressive post-pandemic recovery, with occupancy rates nearing historic levels. The cruise giant has also made headway on deleveraging its balance sheet, trimming billions in debt while improving margins. Yet despite the rebound, CCL remains well below its pre-COVID highs — and while macro worries remain, long-term investors are presented with a discounted entry into a resurging industry leader.

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

Recent Price: $31.41 — get current quote > 

Max 1-year forecast: $39.00 

Why we’re watching:

• CCL shares currently have 8 Strong Buy ratings, 3 Buy ratings, and 3 Hold ratings. See the ratings  
• Brandt Montour of Barclays (a top 5% rated analyst) recently doubled down on a Strong Buy rating on Carnival Corp stock, and increased his price target from $33 to $39. 
• In a preview note, Montour told readers to expect a beat and raise print buttressed by upbeat commentary from management about Celebration Key's launch.
• Carnival is enjoying solid booking trends, the analyst backgrounded.
• CCL is currently the 4th highest-rated stock in the Travel industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
• Carnival Corp ranks in the top 11% of stocks. This gives it a Zen Rating of B, which has historically corresponded to an average annual return of 19.88%.
• One of the stock’s biggest advantages is its attractive valuation — CCL is trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 15.96x, and ranks in the 90th percentile when it comes to Value.
• However, Sentiment is Carnival Corp’s strongest suit — in this category, it ranks in the top 2% of equities. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)

2. Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) 

Encompass Health is one of the largest inpatient rehabilitation and post-acute care providers in the United States. EHC shares have seen a pretty significant price bump since the start of the year. With an aging population and a dominant position in the industry, Encompass Health is well poised to continue with its winning streak. 

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

Recent Price: $125.36 — get current quote > 

Max 1-year forecast: $160.00 

Why we’re watching:

• Encompas Health enjoys broad, bullish coverage from Wall Street equity researchers. The stock currently has 6 Strong Buy ratings and 1 Buy rating. See the ratings 
• The average 12-month price forecast for EHC, currently pegged at $139.29, implies a healthy 11.14% upside.
• KeyBanc’s Matthew Gillmor (a top 9% rated analyst) recently maintained a Strong Buy rating on the stock and upped his price target from $135 to $140.
• At the Birmingham headquarters of Encompass Health, Gillmor spoke with management and organized a conference call for investors. 
• The analyst said they see promising market share potential and favorable IRF supply-demand dynamics ahead for the name, leading to their view that Encompass Health is in a good position to continue its impressive expansion. 
• Additionally, Gillmor expressed optimism about the long-term viability of 1H's positive drivers, such as the favorable mix of VA patients.
• "Policy backdrop for IRFs remains benign," the analyst said.
• Gilmor thinks Encompass Health's leverage and cash flow from operations might enable faster buybacks.
• At present, Encompass Health is the 9th highest-rated stock in the Medical Care Facility industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
• EHC shares rank in the 91st percentile of the equities that we track, giving them a Zen Rating of B, which has historically corresponded to an average annualized return of 19.88%.
• Encompass Health is sporting a pretty healthy balance sheet, and ranks in the 84th percentile of stocks with regard to Financials.
• In terms of its Safety Component Grade rating, EHC stock ranks in the top 7% of the equities that we track..  
• A whopping 40.61% of the insider transactions tied to Encompass Health in the past 12 months have been stock purchases — together with positive analyst coverage, it’s little wonder that the stock ranks in the top 4% when it comes to Sentiment. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)

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3. Ralph Lauren (NYSE: RL) 

Our first pick for this week is a well-known fashion powerhouse. Despite a significant drop on account of tariff worries earlier this year, Ralph Lauren has more than made up the losses. RL shares are up 35.59% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis — and with a dominant position in its industry and a hefty checkbook at its disposal, it’s little wonder that analysts are bullish.

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

Recent Price: $315.00 — get current quote > 

Max 1-year forecast: $406.00 

Why we’re watching:

• Ralph Lauren shares enjoy extensive bullish coverage from Wall Street analysts. At present, RL has 7 Strong Buy ratings, 3 Buy ratings, and 1 Hold rating. See the ratings
• In addition, the average 12-month price forecast for RL shares, currently pegged at $338.33, implies a healthy 7.76% upside.  
• Jefferies researcher Ashley Helgans (a top 24% rated analyst) recently maintained a Strong Buy rating on the stock, and increased her price target from $325 to $365.
• Helgans backgrounded their price target hike on Ralph Lauren by opining that the company's brand elevation journey and growth strategy have plenty of runway ahead, and management's medium-term guidance is conservative.
• The stock's broad-based momentum should continue, the analyst concluded.
• Ralph Lauren is currently the 3rd highest-rated stock in the Apparel Manufacturing industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
• Our quant rating system, Zen Ratings, evaluates more than 4,600 stocks on the basis of 115 proprietary factors. Stocks in the top 5%, like RL, have a Zen Rating of A, and have historically provided an average annual return of 32.52%. 
• To understand why Ralph Lauren shares are rated so highly, we have to take a look at their Component Grade ratings. For instance, RL ranks in the top 10% of equities with regard to Financials.
• Sentiment, which measures analyst ratings, insider transactions, and short selling, is RL’s strongest suit — in this category, the stock ranks in the 92nd percentile. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)

What to Do Next?

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