3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 11/18/2025
Here’s what’s trending on our Strong Buy Stocks from Top Wall Street Analysts screener:
- Valero Energy (VLO) maintains consistent support from top-rated analysts
- Okeanis Eco Tankers (ECO) just delivered an exceptional earnings beat
- Eli Lilly & Co (LLY) is primed for continued upside
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Valero Energy is one of the world's largest independent petroleum refiners, manufacturing gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemical products across its extensive North American network. The company is benefiting from favorable refining margins and strong operational execution, with shares approaching all-time highs near $182.
Zen Rating: Buy (B) — see full analysis
Recent Price: $181.76 — get current quote
Max 1-year forecast: $223.00
Why we're watching:
- Analyst support: Strong backing from Wall Street with 9 Strong Buy and 1 Buy rating among 13 analysts, achieving a Strong Buy consensus. See the ratings
- As for a few highlights, Piper Sandler's Ryan Todd (a top 11% rated analyst) recently maintained his Strong Buy rating with a $223 price target, citing robust market conditions and strong operational performance with positive outlook for oil prices and efficient cost management.
- Raymond James' Justin Jenkins (a top 1% rated analyst) reiterated his Strong Buy rating at $195, highlighting strong demand for gasoline, high refinery utilization rates, and a positive regulatory environment.
- Strong stock in a string industry: VLO is currently the 4th highest-rated stock in the Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
- Zen Rating highlights: With its B (Buy) rating, VLO is in a class of stocks that have historically averaged +19.88%/yr.
- Component Grades: VLO enjoys exceptional performance across the board with top-tier rankings including Sentiment (top 5% percentile), AI (top 10%), Financials (top 10%), and Growth (top 15%), demonstrating comprehensive strength. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here
2. Okeanis Eco Tankers (NYSE: ECO)
Okeanis Eco Tankers is a specialized shipping company focused on transporting crude oil and petroleum products through its modern fleet of eco-efficient tankers. The company recently delivered an exceptional Q3 earnings beat, with results reflecting strong Suezmax and VLCC spot rates driving performance well ahead of expectations.
Zen Rating: Strong Buy (A) — see full analysis
Recent Price: $39.34 — get current quote
Max 1-year forecast: $45.00
Why we're watching:
- Analyst support: Strong backing with 2 Strong Buy and 2 Buy ratings from 4 analysts, delivering a Strong Buy consensus. See the ratings
- For instance, B. Riley Securities' Liam Burke (a top 15% rated analyst) recently maintained his Strong Buy rating with a $45 price target following Q3 2025 earnings. Burke noted the quarter's performance reflected the advantages of stable Suezmax spot rates and high VLCC spot rates, predicting the company would maintain its performance advantage over peers through gradually positive operating leverage generated by its oil tanker fleet.
- The company delivered a spectacular Q3 earnings beat with EPS of $0.77 crushing the estimate of $0.29 by 104.6%, representing 71.1% year-over-year growth, while revenue of $90.6M beat expectations and grew 6.7% year-over-year.
- Strong Industry, strong ranking: ECO is currently the #1 highest-rated stock in the Shipping industry, which has an Industry Rating of B.
- Zen Rating highlights: With its A (Strong Buy) rating, ECO is in a class of stocks that have historically averaged +32.52%/yr.
- Component Grades: ECO has a strong showing with an A grade in Artificial Intelligence and B grades in Value, Momentum, Sentiment, and Financials, demonstrating well-rounded strength. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here
3. Eli Lilly & Co (NYSE: LLY)
Eli Lilly is a global pharmaceutical powerhouse offering innovative medicines across cardiovascular, diabetes, oncology, immunology, and neurological therapeutic areas. The company is experiencing remarkable growth driven by blockbuster obesity and diabetes drugs, with shares recently striking a deal with incoming administration officials and trading near all-time highs above $1,025.
Zen Rating: Strong Buy (A) — see full analysis
Recent Price: $1,025.28 — get current quote
Max 1-year forecast: $1,500.00
Why we're watching:
- Analyst support: LLY enjoys impressive backing with 7 Strong Buy and 2 Buy ratings among 12 analysts, delivering a Strong Buy consensus despite 3 Hold ratings. See the ratings
- Morgan Stanley's Terence Flynn (a top 8% rated analyst) recently maintained his Strong Buy rating with a $1,171 price target, citing continued strong performance in the pharmaceutical sector with a strong pipeline of new drugs and positive earnings growth forecast.
- Industry ranking context: LLY is currently the 4th highest-rated stock in the General Drug Manufacturer industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
- Zen Rating highlights: With its A (Strong Buy) rating, LLY is in a class of stocks that have historically averaged +32.52%/yr.
- Component Grades: LLY shows excellent performance with B grades across Value, Growth, Momentum, Sentiment, and Financials. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here
What to Do Next?
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