5 Stocks to Watch: Week of 8/17/2026

Happy weekend! Here are the stocks we'll be watching next week (big upside targets!)...

• Arcutis Biotherapeutics (ARQT): Revenue soars on dermatology franchise strength 
• Banco Macro (BMA): Argentina's #1 rated bank with big upside potential 
• Figs (FIGS): 29% sales growth powers direct-to-consumer disruptor
• Western Digital (WDC): A-rated stock with $900 max price forecast
• MKS Inc (MKSI): Nearly 100% upside potential…

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1- Arcutis Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: ARQT)

Led by its flagship ZORYVE dermatological franchise, the company recently reported strong Q2 results with revenue beating estimates by 6.57% and growing 59% year-over-year, positioning it for continued growth through the second half of 2026.

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

Recent Price: $25.91 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $40.00

Why we're watching:

• ARQT has solid, bullish coverage among the analysts we track, with 3 Strong Buy and 3 Buy recommendations. See all recommendations here
• For example, Guggenheim researcher Seamus Fernandez (a top 2% rated analyst) maintained his Strong Buy rating with a price target representing 50% upside potential from current levels, following the company's strong Q2 print that prompted raised estimates on Zoryve.
• Likewise, Needham researcher Serge Belanger (a top 2% rated analyst) maintained his Buy rating with a price target representing 58% upside potential from current levels.
• Three additional top analysts covering ARQT all maintain bullish outlooks on the dermatology franchise's growth.
• Q2 earnings demonstrated execution strength: EPS of $0.11 with -15.4% year-over-year growth, while revenue of $129.86M exceeded expectations by 6.57% with 59% YoY growth.
• Zen Ratings highlights: ARQT earns an overall A rating, equal to a Strong Buy recommendation. Stocks in this elite tier have historically delivered nearly 30% annual returns, significantly outperforming the S&P.
• Component Grades: ARQT shows strong Bs for Financials, Growth, Sentiment, and Value, reflecting the company's robust product pipeline and expanding market opportunities in dermatology therapeutics. See all 7 Component Grades here

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2- Macro Bank (NYSE: BMA)

Macro Bank is a leading private bank in Argentina serving retail customers and small businesses. The bank's strong positioning in the Argentine market and its diversified service offerings present compelling growth opportunities as the regional economy continues to develop.

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

Recent Price: $77.48 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $132.00

Why we're watching:

• BMA has limited, but overall bullish, coverage among the analysts we track, with 3 Strong Buy recommendations. See all recommendations here
• For example, JP Morgan researcher Yuri Fernandes (a top 21% rated analyst) maintained his Strong Buy recommendation with a price target representing over 60% upside potential from current levels.
• Industry ranking context: BMA is currently the #1 highest-rated stock in the Bank industry, though it’s worth noting that the industry currently carries a D rating.
• Zen Ratings highlights: BMA receives an overall A rating, equal to a Strong Buy recommendation. Stocks with this rating represent the topmost tier based on our comprehensive 115-factor analysis, historically delivering nearly 30% per year.
• Component Grades: BMA excels with an A for Artificial Intelligence and strong Bs for Growth, Momentum, and Sentiment, reflecting the bank's innovation initiatives and strong market positioning in Argentina's evolving financial landscape. See all 7 Component Grades here

3- Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC)

The memory sector is experiencing robust growth driven by AI data center demand, and this company is one of the main players supplying that demand with a tremendous backlog that has analysts raising their price targets left and right.

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

Recent Price: $496.61 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $900.00

Why we're watching:

• WDC has strong, bullish coverage among the analysts we track, with 9 Strong Buy, 4 Buy, and 2 Hold recommendations. See all recommendations here
• For example, Citigroup researcher Asiya Merchant (a top 1% rated analyst) recently maintained her Strong Buy rating with a price target suggesting the stock could see greater than 50% upside in the coming year. 
• Even more bullish, Rosenblatt researcher Kevin Cassidy (a top 1% rated analyst) maintained his Strong Buy with a price target suggesting over 60% upside potential, citing favorable market conditions and strong operational performance driving innovation and market share.
• Recent earnings demonstrated execution strength: EPS of $18.65 beat estimates by 0.43% with 28.47% year-over-year growth, while revenue of $11.77B exceeded expectations by 6.25% with 58.25% YoY growth.
• Industry ranking context: WDC is currently the #5 highest-rated stock in the Computer Hardware industry, which has an Industry Rating of C.
• Zen Ratings highlights: WDC earns an overall A rating, which amounts to a Strong Buy recommendation. Stocks with this rating represent the elite top 5% of all 4,600+ stocks tracked based on a rigorous 115-factor fundamental review.
• Component Grades: WDC excels with an A for Financials, reflecting exceptional profitability with a 93.8% profit margin, while maintaining solid Bs for Growth and Momentum, positioning the company to capitalize on the ongoing memory market recovery and AI-driven storage demand. See all 7 Component Grades here

4- Figs (NYSE: FIGS)

This medical apparel purveyor sells directly to healthcare professionals through its online platform, bypassing traditional medical supply stores. This direct-to-consumer model is driving strong engagement and margin expansion, with the company posting impressive quarterly results that sent shares surging over 25%.

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

Recent Price: $14.84 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $22.00

Why we're watching:

• FIGS has solid, bullish coverage among the analysts we track, with 3 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, and 2 Hold recommendations. See all recommendations here
• For example, Barclays researcher Adrienne Yih (a top 3% rated analyst) maintained her Strong Buy rating with a price target suggesting the stock could see greater than 30% upside in the coming year. 
• Better still, BTIG researcher Robert Drbul (a top 14% rated analyst) attributed the quarter's strong results — headlined by 29% sales growth and expanding margins — to broad-based category strength, international momentum, and higher purchase frequency, maintaining his Strong Buy with a price target representing over 45% upside from current levels.
• Industry ranking context: FIGS is currently the #3 highest-rated stock in the Apparel Manufacturing industry, which has an Industry Rating of A.
• Zen Ratings highlights: FIGS earns an overall A rating, which amounts to a Strong Buy recommendation. Stocks with this rating represent the elite top 5% of all 4,600+ stocks tracked based on a rigorous 115-factor fundamental review.
• Component Grades: FIGS stands out with an A for Financials, reflecting exceptional profitability metrics and balance sheet health, while maintaining solid Bs for Growth and Sentiment, positioning the company well for continued appreciation in the direct-to-consumer healthcare apparel space. See all 7 Component Grades here

5- MKS (NASDAQ: MKSI)

MKS Inc. provides the critical equipment and components used to manufacture semiconductors and other advanced technologies. And business is accelerating as the AI boom drives a massive expansion in chipmaking capacity, helping MKS beat earnings expectations while demand strengthens across its key markets.

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

Recent Price: $306.29 — get current quote

Max 1-year forecast: $600.00

Why we're watching:

• MKSI has strong, bullish coverage among the analysts we track, with 10 Strong Buy, 3 Buy, 1 Hold, and 1 Strong Sell recommendations. See all recommendations here
• For example, Needham researcher James Ricchiuti (a top 1% rated analyst) recently maintained his Buy rating with a price target representing nearly 30% upside potential from current levels, citing sound fundamentals with strong cash flow generation and improving operational efficiencies.
• Separately, Cantor Fitzgerald researcher Matthew Prisco (a top 1% rated analyst) reiterated his Strong Buy with a price target suggesting the stock could see nearly 100% upside, believing MKSI has significant upside due to robust performance indicators and technological leadership. 
• Industry ranking context: MKSI is currently the #3 highest-rated stock in the Scientific & Technical Instrument industry, which has an Industry Rating of B.
• Zen Ratings highlights: MKSI earns an overall A rating, which is equal to a Strong Buy recommendation. Stocks in this topmost tier have historically delivered nearly 30% annual returns, soundly beating the S&P.
• Component Grades: MKSI shines with strong Bs for Growth, Momentum, Sentiment, and Safety, indicating a well-positioned supplier poised to capitalize on semiconductor industry expansion and AI-driven capital equipment demand. See all 7 Component Grades here

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