Friday’s Biggest Analyst Calls: Nvidia, Netflix, Tesla, Kroger, Arm, Oracle, Eli Lilly, Pnc, Ge Vernova & More

On Friday, a series of significant stock analyst calls were made on Wall Street, providing insight into the latest recommendations and adjustments on various companies.

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These calls influence market sentiment and reflect analysts' views on business performance, sector potential, and market valuation.

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Raymond James Initiates Coverage on Arm Holdings with an Outperform Rating

‍Raymond James initiated coverage of Arm Holdings with an outperform rating, setting a price target of $160. Arm Holdings, known for its energy-efficient processor and subsystem intellectual property (IP), is expected to thrive as the demand for generative AI (GenAI) grows, both in cloud computing and at the edge. This positions the company well in the rapidly expanding AI space, giving it potential for substantial growth in the coming years.

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Jefferies Initiates Vistra as a Buy

‍Jefferies initiated coverage of Vistra, an electricity generation company, with a buy rating, naming it a top idea. The firm noted that Vistra is well-positioned to capitalize on several opportunities within the power sector. As energy demand evolves, the company is seen as having ample potential to benefit from growth within this space.

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Citi Upgrades SL Green to Neutral from Sell

‍Citi upgraded SL Green, a New York City-focused real estate investment trust (REIT), to neutral from sell, citing a recovery in the New York office market. According to Citi, New York has emerged as the strongest gateway office market, with increasing leasing activity and tenant demand, especially from financial services and law firms. SL Green has also shown its ability to refinance or modify its debt maturities under favorable terms, thanks to its strong relationships with lenders.

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CFRA Upgrades Kroger to Buy from Hold

‍CFRA upgraded Kroger from hold to buy, emphasizing the stock's "undemanding" valuation compared to its retail peers. The upgrade is based on improving sales momentum, opportunities for margin expansion, and a relatively attractive valuation in the current market environment. Kroger's growth prospects appear more promising, especially as the grocery chain continues to adapt to changing consumer behavior.

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Macquarie Upgrades Rio Tinto to Outperform from Neutral

‍Macquarie upgraded mining giant Rio Tinto from neutral to outperform, despite cutting its earnings per share (EPS) estimates by 19% for fiscal year 2025 and by 7% for calendar year 2024. The upgrade is primarily based on valuation, as Macquarie sees the stock offering value in the long run, even in the face of earnings pressure.

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Deutsche Bank Downgrades AstraZeneca to Sell from Hold

‍Deutsche Bank downgraded AstraZeneca, expressing concerns about the company's product pipeline. Specifically, Deutsche Bank mentioned the disappointment surrounding AstraZeneca’s TROP2 asset, datopotamab, which was initially seen as a potential breakthrough in treating lung cancer. The firm acknowledged the company’s previous strong performance in oncology but noted that delays in product development could hamper future growth.

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Citi Downgrades Capri Holdings to Neutral from Buy

‍Citi downgraded Capri Holdings, the parent company of luxury brands like Michael Kors, from buy to neutral. The firm noted that the risk-reward scenario has become more balanced, with the stock trading near Citi's target price. Despite ongoing legal challenges related to Capri's acquisition by Tapestry, Citi remains confident that the deal will proceed, but the stock’s valuation now seems appropriately priced for current risks.

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Barclays Downgrades Garmin to Underweight from Equal Weight

‍Barclays downgraded wearable technology company Garmin from equal weight to underweight, citing several negative catalysts. The firm believes that Garmin's valuation is stretched, with additional pressure expected from headwinds in its gross margins. This downgrade reflects concerns about the company’s ability to maintain profitability in the near future.

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BMO Initiates GE Vernova as Outperform

‍BMO initiated coverage on GE Vernova with an outperform rating, describing the company as a key player in the energy transition. GE Vernova is a leader across conventional and renewable energy generation, and its presence in the transmission and distribution sectors, including grid management software, positions it well for growth as the world shifts toward cleaner energy.

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Pivotal Initiates TKO Holdings as Buy

‍Pivotal initiated coverage of TKO Holdings with a buy rating, calling it a "rare durable sports and entertainment asset." TKO, known for its strength in sports media, has a long-term target price of $170, and Pivotal sees significant potential in the company’s ability to maintain and grow its audience across its key brands.

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Morgan Stanley Names EQT a Top Pick

‍Morgan Stanley named EQT, a natural gas company, as a top pick, citing strong positioning within the energy sector. The firm highlighted that EQT is on a catalyst path, with potential asset sales, synergy realizations, and a focus on higher shareholder returns as key drivers for a re-rating of the stock.

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UBS Reiterates Oracle as Buy

‍UBS reiterated its buy rating on Oracle, raising the price target to $200 from $175. The firm recently attended Oracle's CloudWorld event in Las Vegas and noted positive feedback regarding the company's top-line growth. UBS believes Oracle is well-positioned for continued success in cloud computing, as customer demand remains robust.

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Wells Fargo Reiterates Nvidia as Overweight

‍Wells Fargo reiterated its overweight rating on Nvidia, expressing confidence in the company’s leadership in AI. The firm noted that Nvidia faces no clear threats from AI startups, with the exception of custom AI chips developed by hyperscalers. Nvidia continues to dominate the AI training hardware market.

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These analyst calls reflect the diverse market conditions across sectors, with companies in energy, technology, real estate, and retail all receiving fresh attention from Wall Street.

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