5 Stocks to Watch: Week of 2/23/2026

Get ready for an excellent week! Here are 5 of the highest-potential stocks we're watching for the week of 2/23/2026, including:

• Hasbro (HAS) — Blockbuster licensing deals spark a 6-year stock high
• Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) — A pipeline beyond Ingrezza could unlock serious upside potential
• Flowserve (FLS) — Did somebody say 51% earnings growth forecast?
• Vertiv Holdings (VRT) - AI boom drives 252% order surge, 20% weekly gain
• Viatris (VTRS) — Buybacks and debt cuts fueling an undervalued comeback
• Tenet Healthcare (THC) — Record hospital demand is sending this stock to multi-year highs

P.S. Missed last week's picks? Get them here.

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1- Hasbro Inc (NASDAQ: HAS)

The famed toy company's digital pivot is delivering results, with recent announcements of major licensing deals including Harry Potter, K-pop Demon Hunters, and Voltron toys driving the stock to a 6-year high.

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

Recent Price: $102.45 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $118.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Strong backing from 9 analysts with 7 Strong Buy and 1 Buy rating demonstrates confidence in the company's transformation strategy. See the ratings
• Citigroup researcher James Hardiman (a top 8% rated analyst) recently maintained a Strong Buy rating with a $118.00 price target following the company's Q4 2025 earnings beat and strong fiscal 2026 guidance.
• Industry ranking context: HAS is currently the 2nd highest-rated stock in the Leisure industry, demonstrating its leadership position within the consumer discretionary toy sector.
• Zen Rating highlights: Strong Buy (A) stocks average +32.52%/yr — Hasbro's inclusion reflects its exceptional Growth grade of A and Financials grade of A, with a robust 16.8% profit margin.
• Component Grades: The stock stands out with an A grade in both Growth and Financials, indicating strong earnings momentum and solid balance sheet management despite elevated debt-to-equity ratios typical for consumer brands. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

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2- Viatris (NASDAQ: VTRS)

This global healthcare company is gaining momentum following strategic initiatives focused on buybacks and debt reduction, with analysts highlighting the stock's attractive valuation at current multiples.

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

Recent Price: $15.86 — get current quote

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Coverage from 3 analysts with 2 Strong Buy ratings and 1 Hold rating shows emerging positive sentiment. See the ratings
• Argus Research recently upgraded the stock to Strong Buy with a $15.00 price target, expressing confidence that "buybacks and debt reduction should ramp the bottom line" while noting the stock trades at an attractive low multiple. 
• Interestingly, the stock has already soared through this projection. This is part of why it was just selected as our Stock of the Week — in his recent commentary, our Zen Investor Editor-in-Chief, Steve Reitmeister, weighed in on several reasons why the stock could continue to outperform.
• Industry ranking context: VTRS is currently the 10th highest-rated stock in the Pharmaceutical industry, which has an Industry Rating of B.
• Zen Rating highlights: Strong Buy (A) stocks average +32.52%/yr — VTRS is among the highest-potential tickers we track in our 4600+ stock database.
• Component Grades: The stock shows balanced strength with B grades in Growth, Momentum, Sentiment, and Safety, indicating solid fundamentals across multiple dimensions. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

3- Neurocrine Biosciences (NASDAQ: NBIX)

Neurocrine Biosciences is quietly building a pharmaceutical powerhouse — and with a robust pipeline stretching far beyond its flagship Ingrezza franchise, analysts are bullish on where this neurological and psychiatric drug maker is headed next.

Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $130.59 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $204.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Impressive backing from 16 analysts with 9 Strong Buy and 4 Buy ratings reflects confidence in the company's diversified pipeline beyond Ingrezza. See the ratings
• JP Morgan's Anupam Rama (a top 5% rated analyst) recently maintained a Strong Buy rating with a $176.00 price target, emphasizing the company's innovative product pipeline and strong long-term growth prospects.
• Citigroup's Yigal Nochomovitz (top 10%) maintains positive coverage, recognizing the company's strong financial position with $388.4M in operating cash flow and minimal debt.
• Industry ranking context: NBIX is currently the 18th highest-rated stock in the Pharmaceutical industry, which has an Industry Rating of B, positioning it solidly among mid-tier pharmaceutical innovators.
• Zen Rating highlights: NBIX earns an overall B (Buy) rating in our Zen Ratings system, demonstrating above-average fundamentals based on our proprietary 115-factor review.
• Component Grades: The stock stands out with A grades in Value and Financials, supported by strong profitability metrics and a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, indicating conservative financial management. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

4- Flowserve (NYSE: FLS)

The outlook is sunny for this global supplier of industrial and environmental machinery. In a show of confidence in its cash flow and commitment to shareholders, the company recently raised its quarterly dividend by 5% to $0.22 per share.

Zen Rating: B (Buy) — see full analysis

Recent Price: $87.93 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $98.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: Coverage from 9 analysts includes 5 Strong Buy and 2 Buy ratings. See the ratings
• Citigroup's Andy Kaplowitz (a top 1% rated analyst) recently maintained a Strong Buy rating with the highest price target of $98.00, representing +9.18% upside potential following Q4 2025 results.
• Stifel Nicolaus researcher Nathan Jones (top 1%) maintains a Strong Buy at $97.00, highlighting the company's strong aftermarket revenue growth and improving margins in its flow control segment.
• Zen Rating highlights: Buy (B) stocks average +19.88%/yr — Flowserve's rating reflects solid momentum with earnings forecast to grow +51.73% in the coming year to $4.04 per share.
• Component Grades: The stock shows B grades in Value, Momentum, Safety, and Financials, indicating well-rounded fundamentals with strong operating cash flow of $505.88M supporting the recent dividend increase. See all 7 Zen Component Grades here

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5- Vertiv Holdings (NYSE: VRT)

With AI-driven data center expansion fueling exceptional demand, companies like VRT (AI infrastructure providers) are experiencing great demand. The company just reported 252% order growth and delivered strong 2026 guidance that sent the stock soaring 20% in a single week.

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

Recent Price: $243.50 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $290.00

Why we're watching:

• Analyst support: An impressive 13 analysts cover the stock with 8 Strong Buy ratings and 4 Buy ratings, demonstrating exceptional conviction with a Strong Buy consensus. See the ratings
• Citigroup's Andy Kaplowitz (a top 1% rated analyst) recently maintained his Strong Buy rating with a $286 price target, highlighting the company's strong fundamentals and strategic initiatives in the AI infrastructure buildout.
• Barclays researcher Julian Mitchell (a top 1% rated analyst) recently maintained his Strong Buy rating with a $281 price target following the company's strategic acquisitions that are enhancing its competitive edge.
• The company's revenue is forecast to grow +32.53% year-over-year to $13.6B, with earnings per share expected to jump +54.26% to $5.38, significantly outpacing industry averages.
• Industry ranking context: Vertiv is currently the 6th highest-rated stock in the Electrical Equipment & Part industry, which has an Industry Rating of C.
• Zen Rating highlights: Strong Buy (A) stocks average +32.52%/yr — Vertiv ranks in the top tier of the 4600+ stocks we track and our indicators point to high potential for outperformance.
• Component Grades: VRT enjoys above-average grades in several key areas, including Growth, Momentum, Sentiment, and Financials — suggesting a stock with great upswing potential that has a solid balance sheet. 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 >
• 2 New Stocks to Buy from Steve Reitmeister >

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