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Recent market volatility and uncertainty regarding the U.S. economy has Wall Street analysts torn about where some stocks are headed in the upcoming months. The stock has buy or overweight ratings from 20% of analysts, while another 20% rates it as sell or underweight. More than half of the analysts covering the stock give it a buy rating. Nonetheless, 24% of analysts have a sell rating on it. More than 30% of analysts have buy ratings on the stock, whereas 23% have a sell rating.

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Walmart — Shares of the big box retailer rose slightly after the company reported an earnings and revenue beat for the fiscal first quarter. However, its adjusted earnings guidance for the fiscal second quarter came in lower than expectations. Bath & Body Works — The retailer's shares jumped more than 9% after its fiscal first quarter earnings topped expectations. Take-Two Interactive — Shares surged almost 13% and hit a new 52-week high following the company's earnings announcement Wednesday. To be sure, the company's guidance for bookings in the first-quarter and full-year fell below Wall Street's expectations.

The video game company reported $1.39 billion in adjusted revenue in the fiscal fourth quarter, topping analysts' estimates of $1.34 billion, according to Refinitiv. Boot Barn reported earnings of $1.51 per share, excluding items on revenue of $425.7 million. Synopsys' fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue came above Wall Street's expectations, according to FactSet. The company reported $1.4 billion in revenue, while analysts had estimated $1.38 billion. Cisco Systems — Shares dipped nearly 4% despite the company reporting an earnings and revenue beat for the fiscal third quarter.

Analysts are also bullish on the stock, with 14 out of 15 analysts covering the company rating it a buy or strong buy, according to Refinitiv data. Seven out of nine analysts covering the stock rate it a strong buy or buy. Analysts are also bullish on the stock, with 14 out of 15 analysts covering the company rating it a buy or strong buy, according to Refinitiv data. Seven out of nine analysts covering the stock rate it a strong buy or buy. Kennametal Inc KMT ANALYST CONSENSUS 10 Ratings Hold 1 Strong Buy 1 Strong Buy 0 Buy 0 Buy 6 Hold 6 Hold 3 Underperform 3 Underperform 0 Sell 0 Sell Current Price ( ) 35.00 Highest Price Target Upside (6.07%) 27.44 Average Price Target 19.00 Lowest Price Target

Six months after Morgan Stanley pulled its rating on Carvana shares, the firm says it has "improved confidence" in the used-car dealer. Analyst Adam Jonas reinstated coverage of the stock, giving it an equal-weight rating. The analyst added that the company's reductions of selling, general and administrative expenses have been progressing better than expected, marking a "turning point" for Carvana. Carvana shares have soared nearly 130% in 2023. CVNA YTD mountain Carvana stock —CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.

Global medical technology company GE HealthCare is an "attractive large-cap diagnostics & imaging play," according to Oppenheimer. The firm says GE HealthCare has become more focused following its recent spinoff from its parent company. "GE Healthcare is the global leader in healthcare diagnostics, imaging, and intervention. "Its medium-term margin outlook is predicated on key initiatives," including optimizing manufacturing, introducing new products and integrated digital solutions, Kalia said. The analyst noted that GE HealthCare looks to benefit from an aging population and increase in chronic diseases.

Morgan Stanley analyst warned of potentially big swings for some of the regional banks it covers as the fallout for the crisis continues. Analyst Manan Gosalia downgraded Commerce Bancshares and Prosperity Bancshares to underweight from equal weight. Commerce Bancshares' new price target of $48 implies shares declining 3.5% from Monday's close. Meanwhile, the analysts' new price target of $60 per share for Prosperity Bancshares implies a 1% loss from where shares closed on Monday. To be sure, the analyst said that in the case deposit outflows do accelerate, Commerce Bancshares and Prosperity Bancshares would end up outperforming their peers due to their "generally more resilient funding profiles."

Bank of America is jumping back on the Western Alliance Bancorp bandwagon. Analyst Ebrahim H. Poonawala resumed coverage on the bank with a buy rating. Bank of America dropped its rating on the stock as Western Alliance got caught up in the broader regional bank sell-off after the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank — which was then followed by the collapse of First Republic. Western Alliance shares have lost more than 58% over the past three months. WAL 3M mountain Western Alliance shares Poonawala noted that while Western Alliance "is not out of the woods yet," the bank's management has shown "remarkable execution thus far in navigating the post SVB turmoil."

BMO Capital Markets says Gilead Sciences is a "best-in-class" therapy franchise that could soon see multiple expansion. The firm upgraded shares to outperform from market perform and raised its price target to $100 from $90. The new price target implies shares rallying 27.5% from Monday's close. Analyst Evan David Seigerman said that, in addition to Gilead's strong therapy franchise, its improving solid tumor oncology business and durable-growth anchored by its HIV/virology division could lead to strong growth. "While we note that Gilead currently trades at a discount to large-cap peers, continued de-risking of its oncology franchise could drive multiple expansion."

Jefferies says although electronic gaming machines supplier PlayAGS has fallen to deep "out-of-favor status," the "severely undervalued small-cap stock" is nevertheless a prime opportunity for investors. The firm upgraded PlayAGS shares to buy from hold, and raised its price target to $10, implying 89% upside from Friday's close. Katz noted that PlayAGS's first-quarter earnings and revenue topped Jefferies' estimates. The company posted revenue of $83 million, higher than Jefferies' $75 million, and adjusted earnings before taxes, depreciation and amortization of $37 million that topped the firm's $33 million estimate. After surging 13% Monday on the upgrade, PlayAGS shares are now ahead by almost 18% year-to-date, after sliding 25% in 2022.

While Alphabet has had a strong 2023, Loop Capital thinks the proliferation of artificial intelligence could hinder the stock going forward. Loop downgraded Alphabet to hold from buy. We disagree however with management's characterization that AI proliferation is similar [to] the transition to mobile. Loop found that following Meta, Alphabet has the highest total GAAP expenses per employee among the big four tech names including Microsoft and Apple. "We think long-term structural uncertainties surrounding the AI transition will keep investors nervous as the landscape evolves and put a ceiling on valuation," said the analyst.

Raymond James thinks Charles Schwab 's core business remains healthy despite concerns about the volatility in the banking system. Schwab's "core franchise [is] still healthy," the analyst wrote in a Monday note to clients. "Importantly, concerns about the stability of the banking system have not impaired Schwab's ability to attract new accounts and assets. In fact, net new accounts grew at a 4.3% annualized pace in 1Q23 while core net new assets grew at a 7.5% pace." To be sure, he noted that elevated cash sorting "is a stark reminder of the interest rate risk inherent within Schwab's business model."

Loop Capital sees "a much brighter revenue picture" ahead for Meta . The firm upgraded Meta shares to buy from hold in a Monday note. It said that, while expense rationalization was likely more of a "one-time driver," it is bullish on the overall revenue outlook for the tech company. Sanderson set his price target to $320, which implies shares rallying 36.7% from Friday's close. He noted that Meta's Reels is now growing faster in the short-form video category than rival TikTok.

There's a big buying opportunity in lithium company Albemarle , according to Baird. Baird upgraded the company to outperform and raised its price target to $288 from $222, which implies a gain of 47% from Friday's close. The reduced guidance for 2023 is "an attractive entry point for the stock," Kallo said. We see upside to estimates from any increase in lithium pricing, potential tailwinds from the IRA, and the growing demand for lithium." Baird also said the oligopolistic structure in the bromine market, in which Albemarle is a top-three producer, gives the company relative pricing power.

Solar panel manufacturer First Solar emerged as this week's biggest gainer, with shares surging 26.3% as of Friday morning. Approximately 41% of analysts covering the stock rate it a buy, according to FactSet. To be sure, the stock is already 2.6% above analysts' consensus price target. More than half of analysts covering Albemarle rate it a buy, according to FactSet data. The stock is up approximately 15% in 2023, and analysts estimate additional 6% growth, based on the average price target.

Check out the companies making headlines in premarket trading. Tesla — Elon Musk's electric vehicle company gained 2.3% in premarket trading. JD.com — The Chinese e-commerce company's U.S.-listed shares lost 1.4% Friday during premarket trading. PacWest — Shares gained 2.4% in the premarket after tumbling 22.7% in the previous session on deposit outflows. First Solar — Shares of the clean energy company climbed 5% in premarket trading after First Solar announced an acquisition of Evolar AB for up to $80 million.

Large-cap technology stocks have surged in 2023 — and FAANG shares could have even more room to grow, according to Fundstrat's co-founder Tom Lee. The managing director said he had anticipated a rebound in FAANG companies after they took a beating in the second half of 2022. However, he added that the growth case for tech shares, including non-FAANG names, is stronger than he had realized. Lee added that the ability of tech companies to grow their profits can only improve. "So actually that their ability to make future profits is higher, and that's why I think their PE could expand.

Disney — Shares fell 4.7% after the company reported mixed fiscal second quarter results. Beyond Meat — The alternative meat manufacturer's shares rose 8.5% after Beyond Meat posted better-than-expected results for the first quarter. Beyond Meat reported a loss of 92 cents per share and $92.2 million in revenue. Analysts had anticipated a loss of $1.01 per share on revenue of $90.8 million, according to Refinitiv. Unity Software – Unity Software shares popped 12% after the company beat revenue estimates for the recent quarter, according to Refinitiv.

Researchers have also sought to quantify fairness and bias in AI models through various socio-ethnic parameters. For example, Stanford University's artificial intelligence index report scores for bias across AI models. It found a "counterintuitive" correlation between fairness and bias: models that scored better on fairness metrics demonstrated stronger gender bias, and less gender-biased models were more toxic. Driving AI technology advancements — being a "key player or enabler across the AI ecosystem to make businesses and society better." Some investors believe AI itself can help investors monitor and track ESG efforts by companies.

Guggenheim says Shoals Technologies is poised to see big market share gains as demand grows. Shoals produces electric balance of system, or EBOS, components for solar energy projects. The solar energy tech company's adjusted first-quarter earnings and revenue topped analysts' estimates. "Demand is solid, but we think SHLS's success is also driven by market share gains. The analyst noted that Shoals hasn't been willing to offer any details on the magnitude of its other business efforts besides solar energy.

JPMorgan thinks Alkami is poised for long-term growth despite ongoing concerns in the banking industry. Analyst Alexei Gogolev initiated coverage on Alkami with an overweight rating and a $15 price target, which implies shares gaining 21.4% from Monday's close. Alkami provides software to regional banks and credit unions to facilitate online banking. JPMorgan said said Alkami's potential addressable market is at $11 billion in the U.S. as the modernization of digital banking for credit unions and regional banks continues. To be sure, Gogolev acknowledged that the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. banking sector has put downward pressure on valuation multiples on stocks in the sector.

Jefferies says specialty plumbing and appliances distributor Ferguson is a high-quality business "poised to take [market] share." Its new price target of $181 implies shares rallying 28% from Monday's close. "FERG is uniquely positioned to service compared to smaller competitors due to its scale & breadth of products," analyst Philip Ng wrote in a Tuesday note. "FERG should be resilient in a downturn, driven by its pricing power, high variable cost structure and capital light model. FERG's pricing power & limited exposure to commodity products drive stable gross margins through the cycle."

There are "more questions than answers" surrounding Skyworks Solutions , BMO Capital Markets said in its downgrade of the company. "Semi stocks typically do not do well with [general margins] headwinds, especially when they are longer in duration," he added. The analyst noted that Skyworks has not had general margins below 50% since 2015. He added that while general margins in the second fiscal quarter were in line, outlook for the next two quarters is flat. Furthermore, Skyworks' recovery in China has been slower than anticipated, leading to underutilization of its factory network, according to Srivastava.

The recent selloff in Vitru shares presents an attractive entry point opportunity, according to Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley upgraded Vitru shares to overweight. Shares of the Brazil-based digital education company have plunged 44% since March, as of Friday's closing price. However, Morgan Stanley thinks the decline wasn't due to the company's fundamentals, but rather was "exacerbated" by the stock's limited liquidity. "Vitru is the best-positioned player to capture the [distance learning] opportunity," added Martinez.

Bank of America is bullish on Fortinet , saying the cybersecurity company's strong fundamentals make it well-positioned to achieve long-term targets. "We believe the company will continue to demonstrate a strong price/performance value proposition due to its custom ASIC products. "However, trends are solid and we highlight continued strong execution despite a challenged environment, attesting to the high value Fortinet delivers to its customers. Fortinet shares jumped 3.2% Monday prior to the market open. "The company is also expanding into new areas, and the success of this strategy is evident in its financial results," said Liani, adding that its "strong financial profile commands premium valuation."

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