On Thursday, several key calls from Wall Street analysts highlighted differing views on various tech and consumer stocks as they approach 2025. Barclays maintained an underweight rating on Apple, anticipating a mixed earnings report in late January and warning of risks stemming from a disappointing iPhone 16 launch and regulatory pressures. In contrast, Morgan Stanley upgraded Ferguson and Vir Biotechnology to overweight, citing improved business models and promising clinical trial results, respectively. Baird supported Tesla’s outperform rating despite concerns over valuation. Goldman Sachs and Bank of America both reiterated their buy ratings for Amazon and Dell, emphasizing their strong long-term positions in their respective markets. Additionally, Bank of America highlighted Alphabet’s advantages in AI integration. Needham named CyberArk a top pick for 2025 in cybersecurity. UBS noted Costco’s significant sales growth post-December, while Evercore ISI reaffirmed Nvidia’s outperform rating after positive presentations at the Consumer Electronics Show. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on SentinelOne with an overweight rating, reflecting its growing market presence. Lastly, JPMorgan expressed bullishness on Exxon Mobil ahead of earnings, citing a well-balanced portfolio.
