3 New Strong Buy Ratings from Top-Rated Analysts: 12/20/2024
Comin’ in hot! Analysts see more growth ahead for healthcare stocks in general, and Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) is leading the pack. Meanwhile, Cyberark Software (NASDAQ: CYBR) could be in high demand in 2025.
Datadog Inc. (NASDAQ: DDOG) has already gained in the double digits this year — will it continue? Get the scoop on all these strong buys below.
1- Unum Group (NYSE: UNM)
Unum Group is a healthcare benefit company. The industry has an exemplary “A” rating according to WallStreetZen, but UNM stands out as one of the top picks within the industry. Here’s why analysts and our Zen Ratings system agree that UNM is worth watching.
Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis >
Recent Price: $70.95 — get current quote >
Max 1-year forecast: $96.00
Why we’re watching:
- Analyst support: UNM currently enjoys a Strong Buy consensus among the 10 analysts we track issuing ratings. See the ratings here
- For example, John Barnidge of Piper Sandler (a top 11% analyst) just hiked their price target on UNM by 10.8% from $74 to $82 on 12/18.
- Barnidge’s price target hike on Unum Group was delivered in a Q4 2024 preview of names in their Financial (Life Insurance) sector coverage area.
- Updating their models, the analyst said that compared to previous periods, the sector appears to be more attractively valued overall.
- Our quant rating agrees: UNM has an above-average Zen Rating grade of B, meaning it’s a standout stock that is expected to perform in the top 20% of all the stocks we cover.
- Above-average scores for Value and Momentum: 7 Component Grades play into each Zen Rating — UNM has especially high marks for Value and Momentum. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)
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2- Datadog Inc. (NASDAQ: DDOG)
Hot diggity Datadog! This analytics and monitoring platform helps enable developers and IT operations streamline their processes and manage data. The stock has also had an excellent year (up 21%!) and appears to have strong momentum that could continue for the foreseeable future, according to analysts and our proprietary ratings system.
Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis >
Recent Price: $147.44 — get current quote >
Max 1-year forecast: $200.00
Why we’re watching:
- Analyst support: 23 analysts we follow are currently issuing ratings on DDOG — with 12 Strong Buy and 11 Buy ratings, it has a Strong Buy consensus. See the ratings
- Just this week, Brad Reback of Stifel Nicolaus (a top 6% analyst) raised their price target on DDOG by 17% from $141 to $165.
- While overall, Stifel Nicolaus expects management teams to take a more conservative approach to their Q1 guidance but believes that, overall, "revenue growth rates should at least mirror what we have seen in 2H 2024 because of many of the above-mentioned factors."
- Supporting the positive analyst sentiment, DDOG has a Zen Rating of B (Buy), meaning it’s in a class of stocks that have enjoyed nearly 20% annual gains since 2003.
- Among DDOG’s many high points, it earns above-average Component Grades for Growth and Financials, indicating it has growth potential but also solid finances to support future growth. (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)
3- Cyberark Software (NASDAQ: CYBR)
It feels like there’s a data breach roughly every 15 seconds … CyberArk Software develops, markets, and sales software-based security solutions to help keep data secure. Seems like a business that has legs, huh? Both analysts and our quant ratings system agree this is a stock to watch.
Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis >
Recent Price: $315.71 — get current quote >
Max 1-year forecast: $375.00
Why we’re watching:
- Analyst support: Among the 26 analysts currently issuing ratings on CYBR, it enjoys a Strong Buy consensus. See the ratings
- Notably, Adam Borg of Stifel Nicolaus (a top 15% analyst) just raised price target on CYBR by 10.4% from $335 to $370 on 12/18.
- Borg's price target hike was delivered in a FY 2025 preview of names in their Technology (Enterprise Software) sector coverage area.
- After a rocky start to 2024, the group is enjoying a "better ending" thanks to stabilizing-to-modestly-accelerating top-line growth rates and relatively attractive mid-year multiples, the analyst told investors.
- Our Zen Ratings system agrees with analysts that CYBR is worth watching. It enjoys a B rating built on 7 Component Grades that evaluate key aspects of potential continued stock growth. It has standout A grades for Growth and Value (See all 7 Zen Component Grades here >)
What to Do Next?
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