3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 12/04/2025

Just enough time to research these tickers before the market closes … Here’s the latest and greatest from our Strong Buy Stocks from Top Wall Street Analysts screener:

• Woodward (WWD) has strong support from Wall Street’s top-rated analysts 
• Gilead Sciences (GILD) is gaining serious momentum resulting from multiple catalysts 
• Blue Bird (BLBD) is flying high after posting impressive fiscal results 

P.S. We don’t say “cheap,” we say “quality at a low price”: Stocks under $5 to buy right now

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1. Woodward (NASDAQ: WWD)

Woodward is posting record performance, with Q4 earnings surging 48% year over year thanks to strong execution across its aerospace and industrial segments.

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

Recent Price: $302.63 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $329.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: WWD currently enjoys strong consensus among the analysts we track, with 4 Strong Buy ratings, 1 Buy rating, and 1 Hold rating. See the ratings
• Truist Securities' Michael Ciarmoli (a top 1% rated analyst) maintained a Strong Buy rating with a $305 price target following Woodward's Q4 earnings beat, noting that results "easily exceeded consensus" with strong performance across all segments.
• UBS researcher Gavin Parsons (a top 14% rated analyst) maintained a Strong Buy rating with a $329 price target, highlighting the company's record sales and margin expansion. 
• Woodward's CEO noted that "fiscal 2025 was a pivotal year for Woodward" with the company delivering record sales driven by strong demand and disciplined execution, with enhanced capabilities positioning them to capture opportunities from next-generation aircraft and energy systems.
• Industry ranking context: Woodward is currently the 6th highest-rated stock in the Defense industry, which has an Industry Rating of C.
• Zen Rating highlights: WWD is an A (Strong Buy) rated stock — a class of stocks that have historically delivered +32.52%/yr.  
• Component Grades: Woodward shows outstanding strength with an A grade in Financials and B grades in Growth, Momentum, and Safety, reflecting solid operational performance and market positioning. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

2. Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD)

Gilead is gaining serious momentum as its HIV franchise surges, powered by standout early demand for its newly launched Yeztugo.

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

Recent Price: $124.61 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $150.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: GILD currently has 7 Strong Buy ratings, 2 Buy ratings, and 2 Hold ratings from 11 analysts we track covering the stock. See the ratings
• Truist Securities' Gregory Renza (a top 2% rated analyst) recently assumed coverage with a Strong Buy rating and $140 price target, signaling fresh confidence in Gilead's outlook.
• Meanwhile, Needham's Joseph Stringer (a top 1% rated analyst) maintained a Buy rating with a $140 price target, highlighting continued strength in the company's product portfolio.
• Citigroup's Geoff Meacham (a top 11% rated analyst) raised his price target to $135, attributing the increase to data from a Citigroup survey of 100 physicians that indicated "strong initial trends for the Yeztugo launch in HIV." 
• Industry ranking context: Gilead is currently the 6th highest-rated stock in the General Drug Manufacturer industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
• Zen Rating highlights: Strong Buy (A) stocks average +32.52%/yr. Gilead demonstrates exceptional value with an A grade in Value and strong financials, positioning it as an attractive investment in the biopharmaceutical sector.
• Component Grades: Gilead shows outstanding strength with A grades in Value, Safety, and Financials, along with B grades in Momentum and Sentiment, reflecting solid fundamentals and market confidence. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

3. Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD)

Blue Bird is flying high after delivering record fiscal 2025 results, crushing guidance and proving its growth engine is still running strong.

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

Recent Price: $51.41 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $76.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: BLBD enjoys a Strong Buy consensus with 3 Strong Buy ratings and 1 Buy rating from 4 analysts we track covering the stock. See the ratings
• Most recently, BTIG's Gregory Lewis (a top 5% rated analyst) reiterated a Strong Buy rating with a $65 price target, highlighting the company's strong execution, while a Needham analyst reiterated a Buy rating with a $70 price target following the company's record fiscal 2025 results.
• Industry ranking context: Blue Bird is currently the 1st highest-rated stock in the Auto industry, which has an Industry Rating of F, making it a potentially standout performer in a challenging sector.
• Zen Rating highlights: With its A (Strong Buy) rating, BLBD has passed our 115-factor review with flying colors and sits in a class of stocks that have historically delivered 32%+ annual returns.  
• Component Grades: Blue Bird shows outstanding financial performance with an A grade in Financials and a B grade in Value, demonstrating strong fundamentals despite operating in a difficult industry. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

What to Do Next?

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