3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 09/25/2025

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

• Pharma heavyweight Eli Lilly (LLY) is riding the weight-loss drug boom with strong analyst support 
• Cloud software leader Calix (CALX) is up 86% YTD but still maintains top-tier Zen Rating momentum
• Blue Bird (BLBD) is a school bus maker turned electrification play with strong financials and analyst conviction.

P.S. Want more stocks chosen for you? Check out Zen Investor.

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1. Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) 

Eli Lilly is a bona fide pharma powerhouse. As one of the primary beneficiaries of the weight loss drug boom, the company has seen a significant increase in stock price — and although it is down on a year-to-date (YTD) basis, Wall Street remains confident that there’s plenty of room for LLY to rally further. 

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

Recent Price: $754.10 — get current quote > 

Max 1-year forecast: $1135.00

Why we’re watching:

• The pharma giant enjoys broad, bullish coverage from Wall Street equity researchers. LLY currently has 7 Strong Buy ratings and 2 Hold ratings. See the ratings 
• The average 12-month price forecast for Eli Lilly shares currently sits at $899.78, and implies a hefty 17.94% upside
• JP Morgan’s Chris Schott (a top 22% rated analyst) recently doubled down on a Strong Buy rating for the stock, but reduced his price target from $1,100 to $1,050.
• Eli Lilly is currently the 3rd highest-rated stock in the General Drug Manufacturer industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
• LLY stock currently ranks in the top 6% of the stocks that we track, affording it a Zen Rating of B
• Eli Lilly shares are quite well-rounded in terms of their Component Grade ratings. For instance, LLY ranks in the 80th and 81st percentiles when it comes to Sentiment and Artificial Intelligence.
• In terms of both Value and Financials, LLY ranks in the top 17% of the equities that we track.  
• However, Growth is the star of the show — here, Eli Lilly ranks in the top 13%. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)

2. Calix (NYSE: CALX) 

Calix is a cloud and software platform company that provides broadband service providers with the tools to build, manage, and monetize next-generation fiber networks. CALX has surged by 86.37% since the start of the year — in that time, company insiders have also gone on a buying spree.

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

Recent Price: $63.07 — get current quote > 

Max 1-year forecast: $70.00

Why we’re watching:

• Calix shares currently have 2 Strong Buy ratings, 1 Buy rating, and 1 Hold rating. See the ratings 
• Roth Capital researcher Scott Searle (a top 24% rated analyst) recently reiterated a Strong Buy rating on CALX, and increased his price target from $60 to $69.
• Searle reported that they held meetings with Calix management and that takeaways catalyzed their price target hike.
• The analyst detailed that they are "increasingly positive that the commercialization of Calix's third general platform with agentic AI enables significant broadband service provider operating efficiencies and revenue enhancement opportunities."
• The new product again extends the company's lead over a 'dwindling number of competitors,' Searle continued.
• More generally, the analyst told readers that Roth Capital believes "the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment re-awards continue to reinforce the importance of fiber."
• CALX is currently the 3rd highest-rated stock in the App industry, which has an Industry Rating of B.
• At present, Calix ranks in the 97th percentile of the stocks that we track, giving it a Zen Rating of A.
• CALX currently ranks in the top 7% of stocks when it comes to both Financials and Momentum.
• Calix shares rank in the top 5% of equities with regard to its Artificial Intelligence Component Grade rating.
• Last, but certainly not least, we have Growth and Sentiment — two categories where CALX ranks in the top 1%. On the topic of Sentiment, we should note that 46.84% of the insider transactions tied to CALX in the past 12 months have been stock purchases. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)

3. Blue Bird Corp (NASDAQ: BLBD) 

Fun fact: This is the leading manufacturer of school buses in the United States. Blue Bird Corp has carved out a strong niche for itself, and by heavily investing in electrification, the company is well-positioned to align with state and federal initiatives to modernize school transportation while retaining the benefit of deep customer relationships.

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

Recent Price: $60.41 — get current quote > 

Max 1-year forecast: $65.00 

Why we’re watching:

• At present, Blue Bird Corp shares have 3 Strong Buy ratings and 1 Buy rating. See the ratings  
• BTIG equity researcher Gregory Lewis (a top 4% rated analyst) recently maintained a Strong Buy rating on BLBD and hiked his price target from $55 to a Street-high $65.
• The stock price has gained ~30% since Blue Bird reported its Q3 2025 earnings on 2025/08/06, Lewis told readers. The analyst attributed the move to the earnings beat and increased guidance as management continues to execute on the top line and costs.
• Blue Bird's gross margins increased by 240 bps during the trailing-12-month average period and are expected to further expand, Lewis said, citing rising volume and firming average sales prices.
• BLBD ranks in the top 3% of the stocks that we track, giving it a Zen Rating of A, which has historically corresponded to average annualized returns of 32.52%.
• In terms of Value, the stock ranks in the 85th percentile, as it is currently trading at an attractive P/E ratio of just 16.57x.
• Growth is another strong point — when it comes to this category, Blue Bird Corp ranks in the top 10% of equities.
• However, the balance sheet is the ace up BLBD’s sleeve — when it comes to Financials, the stock ranks in the top 1%. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)

What to Do Next?

• 77 Best Stocks NOW! >
• See All “A” Rated Stocks with +32.52% Average Annual Return >
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