Leading Analyst Calls on Wall Street: Upgrades, Downgrades, and Initiations
Money

Leading Analyst Calls on Wall Street: Upgrades, Downgrades, and Initiations

authorBy Vicki Robin
DateJul 22, 2026
Read Time3 min

A recent compilation of top analyst calls from Wall Street provides a comprehensive overview of significant changes in stock recommendations, encompassing both upgrades and downgrades, along with new coverage initiations. This digest highlights key movements for prominent companies across various industries, offering valuable insights into current market sentiment and future expectations.

Wall Street's Latest Insights: CoreWeave's Rise, IBM's New Coverage, and Notable Shifts

On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, analysts across Wall Street released their latest assessments, revealing notable shifts in ratings for several key companies. Among the most impactful calls were significant upgrades for CoreWeave and DigitalOcean, new coverage initiations for IBM and Affirm, and notable downgrades for Pegasystems and Crown Holdings.

Truist raised its rating on CoreWeave (CRWV) from Hold to Buy, setting a price target of $126. The firm emphasized the increasing demand for computational power due to the growing adoption of open models and sovereign AI, positions CoreWeave to benefit substantially. Despite trading at a discount compared to other cloud providers, CoreWeave's leadership in the sector underscores its potential. Simultaneously, Stifel upgraded DigitalOcean (DOCN) from Hold to Buy, increasing its price target to $160. This decision was primarily driven by the company's valuation, as its shares had declined by 30% from recent peaks. Wells Fargo also made multiple upgrades, moving Idacorp (IDA) and NorthWestern Energy (NWE) from Underweight to Equal Weight, citing improved estimates and favorable merger prospects, respectively. TD Cowen initiated coverage of Genmab (GMAB) with a Buy rating, confident in its pipeline to offset patent expiry impacts.

Conversely, several companies faced downgrades. Citizens adjusted Pegasystems (PEGA) from Outperform to Market Perform following disappointing Q2 results, attributed to clients delaying purchasing decisions amid shifts in the AI market. JPMorgan downgraded Crown Holdings (CCK) to Neutral from Overweight, citing valuation concerns post-World Cup volume benefits. Citi moved Marsh McLennan (MRSH) from Buy to Neutral, also based on valuation. Jefferies downgraded Amcor (AMCR) to Hold, despite a rebound in its stock, due to persistent structural challenges. Raymond James shifted Roper Technologies (ROP) and Trimble (TRMB) from Strong Buy to Market Perform, acknowledging their strong fundamentals but suggesting fair valuations and potential reliance on M&A activity for future upside.

In terms of new coverage, Baird initiated IBM (IBM) with a Neutral rating and a $230 price target. While acknowledging IBM's hybrid cloud AI strategy, the firm noted concerns about near-term growth in existing software and mainframe durability. Baird also started coverage of CoreWeave (CRWV) and Nebius (NBIS) with Outperform ratings, highlighting market demand outpacing supply. Bernstein initiated Affirm (AFRM) with an Outperform rating and a $100 price target, projecting robust GMV growth and an attractive current valuation. Cantor Fitzgerald commenced coverage of Generac (GNRC) with an Overweight rating, anticipating an improved earnings mix driven by the data center build cycle. Lastly, BTIG initiated Philip Morris (PM) with a Buy rating, commending its successful transition to reduced-risk products and resilient combustible business.

These analyst adjustments underscore the dynamic nature of the stock market, influenced by technological advancements, corporate performance, and broader economic factors. Investors can use these insights to re-evaluate their portfolios and identify potential opportunities or risks. The emphasis on AI and cloud infrastructure in several upgrades reflects the ongoing technological transformation, while valuation remains a critical factor in downgrades.

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