Intel downgraded, Tesla upgraded: Wall Street’s top analyst calls

The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today’s research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly.

Top 5 Upgrades:

• Baird upgraded Tesla (TSLA) to Outperform from Neutral with a price target of $548, up from $320. While the company’s car volumes will likely decline again in 2025 and near-term fundamentals “will be choppy,” the shares will outperform as Tesla is increasingly viewed as the leader in physical artificial intelligence, the firm tells investors in a research note.
• Benchmark upgraded Intel (INTC) to Buy from Hold with a $43 price target. The firm believes the stake by Nvidia (NVDA) represents a “significant fundamental tipping point” in Intel’s long-term competitive positioning.
• Truist upgraded Bill (BILL) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $63, up from $50. The firm believes now is the time get bullish on Bill shares.
• BTIG upgraded Fiverr (FVRR) to Buy from Neutral with a $31 price target, which offers 23% upside. The company’s restructuring this week reduces headcount by 30%, generating $30M in cost savings, the firm tells investors in a research note.
• Berenberg upgraded Stellantis (STLA) to Buy from Hold with a $11.20 price target. The company’s earnings recovery may take time, but the share narrative is improving on a better inventory situation in the U.S. and a “supportive” product pipeline ahead, the firm says.

Top 5 Downgrades:

• Citi downgraded Intel (INTC) to Sell from Neutral with a price target of $29, up from $24. The stock has rallied 50% with the Nvidia (NVDA) deal having investors expect that a foundry deal is upcoming, but Citi disagrees as it believes Intel shares now price in success in its foundry business, which has a minimal chance of succeeding.
• BMO Capital downgraded UPS (UPS) to Market Perform from Outperform with a price target of $96, down from $125. The company is not seeing a recovery in demand, especially in its “important” business-to-business segment, amid macro environment challenges and shifting U.S. trade policies, the firm tells investors in a research note.
• Piper Sandler downgraded MetLife (MET) to Neutral from Overweight with an unchanged price target of $84. The firm believes the shares are nearing fair value, trading less than 10% from the price target.
• JPMorgan downgraded Replimune (REPL) to Underweight from Neutral without a price target. The regulatory path forward for RP1 is unclear and potentially challenging, the firm says.
• Wells Fargo downgraded Hess Midstream LP (HESM) to Equal Weight from Overweight with a price target of $39, down from $48. Chevron’s (CVX) decision to move to three rigs in the Bakken from group significantly reduces Hess Midstream’s EBITDA growth and capital return, the firm tells investors in a research note.

Top 5 Initiations:

• Loop Capital initiated coverage of CoreWeave (CRWV) with a Buy rating and $165 price target. The firm sees ongoing potential for material profitability upside relative to the Street and ultimately an enterprise value to expected EBITDA multiple expansion, the firm tells investors in a research note.
• UBS initiated coverage of Ventas (VTR) with a Neutral rating and $73 price target. The Neutral rating reflects the company’s robust senior housing operating portfolio same-store NOI and AFFO growth trajectory that is fairly priced into shares, the firm tells investors in a research note.
• UBS initiated coverage of Welltower (WELL) with a Buy rating and $195 price target. UBS expects a long tail of positive estimate revisions and AFFO growth that support Welltower’s premium valuation, the firm tells investors in a research note.
• Scotiabank initiated coverage of Chord Energy (CHRD) with a Sector Perform rating and $120 price target. The company has a strong balance sheet with robust cash flow generation and returns to shareholders, but its inventory length could be a concern, the firm tells investors in a research note.
• UBS initiated coverage of Laureate Education (LAUR) with a Buy rating and $35 price target. The shares are not fully reflecting Laureate’s earnings expansion potential, driven by its “solid” balance sheet and margin growth, the firm says.