3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 11/21/2025

Quick! Before you log off for the day, here’s what’s hot on our Strong Buy Stocks from Top Wall Street Analysts screener:

• Howmet Aerospace (HWM) gets a nod from smart money
• Pagaya Technologies (PGY) is up 150% (the move may not be over)
• Guardian Pharmacy Services (GRDN) is a relatively recent IPO (2024) with positive catalysts 

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1. Pagaya Technologies (NASDAQ: PGY)

Pagaya Technologies is a fintech company leveraging proprietary artificial intelligence to revolutionize credit underwriting and decision-making for lenders. Despite recent volatility with a 21% pullback from recent highs, the stock has still gained 154% over the past year as the company demonstrates the power of AI in transforming consumer finance with its Q3 beat and raised guidance strengthening the bull case.

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

Recent Price: $22.04 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $54.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: PGY has universal bullish sentiment among the analysts we track with 7 Buy ratings (4 Strong Buy, 3 Buy, 0 Hold, 0 Sell) demonstrating exceptional analyst confidence. See the ratings
• Canaccord Genuity's Joseph Vafi (a top 1% rated analyst) recently maintained his Strong Buy rating with a $39 price target following the company's better-than-expected Q3 results and raised full-year guidance. Other analysts express confidence in Pagaya's AI-driven credit platform and growth trajectory and strong positioning in the AI-powered consumer finance space.
• Industry ranking context: PGY is currently the 6th highest-rated stock in the Software Infrastructure industry, which has an Industry Rating of B.
• Zen Rating highlights: Strong Buy (A) stocks average +32.52%/yr PGY ranks in the top 5% of stocks we track, demonstrating exceptional growth potential in the rapidly evolving AI credit underwriting market.
• Component Grades: PGY excels with an A grade for Growth and B grades for Value and Artificial Intelligence position it as a leader in AI-driven financial technology despite C grades for Safety and Momentum reflecting recent volatility. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here)

2. Howmet Aerospace (NYSE: HWM)

Howmet Aerospace sits at the crossroads of lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft and rising global defense demand, supplying mission-critical engineered components that are difficult and costly to replace. Its 180% surge over the past year reflects growing momentum across commercial aviation and defense programs, with the company benefiting from long product cycles, high switching costs, and increasing demand for advanced materials

Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $201.22 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $250.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: HWM enjoys overwhelming bullish consensus with 9 Strong Buy and 1 Buy rating and a single Hold among the analysts we track. See the ratings
• Bank of America's Ronald Epstein (a top 9% rated analyst) recently maintained his Strong Buy rating with the highest price target of $250, citing the company's robust growth prospects and strong market position in the aerospace sector.
• Other analysts highlight the company's competitive advantages in the aerospace supply chain and the company's strong positioning to benefit from the aerospace industry recovery and growth.
• Industry ranking context: HWM ranks highly among Defense industry stocks — #7 out of 71.
• Zen Rating highlights: With its overall B (Buy) rating, HWM has passed our 115-factor quant review and passed with above-average marks. 
• Component Grades: HWM demonstrates well-rounded excellence with top percentile rankings across multiple metrics including AI (top 10%), Value (top 20%), Growth (top 15%), and Sentiment (top 5%), reflecting strong fundamentals and market confidence. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here)

3. Guardian Pharmacy Services (NYSE: GRDN)

This specialized pharmacy services company primarily focuses in the long-term care market, combining local clinical expertise with national scale. The recently public company has delivered strong results in its first year, with shares up 82.56% since its September 2024 IPO following a Q3 earnings beat and raised full-year guidance that demonstrates the power of its business model.

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

Recent Price: $29.21 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $34.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Only 2 analysts we track are currently rating GRDN, but it’s all bullish, with 1 Buy and 1 Strong Buy. See the ratings
• Truist Securities' David S Macdonald (a top 11% rated analyst) recently maintained his Strong Buy rating and raised his price target to $34 following the company's Q3 earnings beat, noting "brisk overarching secular demand drivers" that bode well for Guardian Pharmacy Services' market dominance in the long-term-care niche despite the industry's challenges.
• The company crushed EPS expectations and raised full-year guidance on its most recent earnings report.  
• Industry ranking context: GRDN is currently the 4th highest-rated stock in the Medical Care Facility industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
• Zen Rating highlights: Strong Buy (A) stocks average +32.52%/yr — GRDN has delivered exceptional performance since its IPO with strong organic and acquired growth, solid margin performance, and meaningful cash generation.
• Component Grades: GRDN demonstrates exceptional financial strength with an A grade for Financials and B grades for Growth, Safety, and Sentiment, reflecting the company's strong execution and solid positioning in the long-term care pharmacy market. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here)

What to Do Next?

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