Roblox, Hershey, Rubrik, Alaska, IP: Trending With Analysts

Analysts are intrested in these 5 stocks: ( (RBLX) ), ( (HSY) ), ( (RBRK) ), ( (ALK) ) and ( (IP) ). Here is a breakdown of their recent ratings and the rationale behind them.

Roblox is suddenly looking less like a high‑flyer and more like a turnaround story in progress. Three different analysts converged on a Hold/Neutral stance after management slashed its 2026 outlook and acknowledged that new safety and discovery tools are hurting engagement. They see near‑term headwinds from stricter age checks and algorithm tweaks, even as long‑term AI initiatives and older-user monetization keep the strategic story alive.

For now, the market is being asked to wait while Roblox restores credibility on user growth and stabilizes bookings. Analysts highlight that only about half of users are age‑verified, with more safety measures and margin pressure on the way, and warn that the last similar period of slowing bookings plus weaker margins led to years of underperformance. Still, if new AI-powered tools and 18+ content succeed, these same skeptics hint the platform could eventually re‑ignite its growth flywheel.

Hershey is back on analysts’ sweet list, with a fresh Buy rating suggesting the stock may have fallen too far. The upgrade rests on growing confidence that management can raise 2026 guidance and return to real volume growth in 2027 as retail sales accelerate. Analysts point to stronger distribution, more aggressive merchandising, and a pipeline of new products as near‑term catalysts that could rekindle investor appetite.

Cocoa prices, once a major concern, are now seen as easing, giving Hershey a tailwind alongside its pricing power and investments in better capabilities. The combination of lower input costs and more efficient execution offers unusual earnings visibility for a consumer staples name. For investors seeking a more defensive play with improving momentum, the new bullish call argues that Hershey’s risk‑reward profile looks more attractive than the recent share price suggests.

Rubrik bursts onto Wall Street with a confident Buy rating and an eye‑catching price target, positioning the fresh IPO as a potential long‑term winner in cyber‑resilient data protection. The initiating analyst sees Rubrik at the sweet spot of data and security in an AI‑driven world, arguing that its cloud‑native, Zero Trust architecture can sustain 30%‑plus subscription growth. New identity‑security offerings and steady gains in core backup are expected to drive upside versus current guidance.

As enterprises roll out more AI workloads and face a rising tide of cyber threats, Rubrik’s ability to secure and quickly “rewind” data is framed as a key differentiator. The stock is compared with other perceived AI winners and given a premium valuation, reflecting confidence in durable growth and expanding free cash flow. For investors chasing secular themes like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud, the initiation suggests Rubrik deserves a close look despite its rich multiple.

In airlines, Alaska Air just suffered a rare double‑downgrade to Sell, underscoring mounting skepticism about the sector’s earnings power. The analyst argues that Alaska is uniquely exposed to fuel risk in today’s “fuel wedge” environment and that its ambitious “greater than $10” earnings-per-share target for 2027 is becoming a liability. Even after a pullback, they see more downside as consensus forecasts remain too optimistic and are likely to be cut.

The downgrade also flags Alaska’s reluctance to reduce capacity more aggressively, creating a high‑risk setup for the second half of 2026 if demand softens or fuel costs stay elevated. By modeling profits well below the Street through 2028 and applying lower valuation multiples, the report warns investors that the stock could continue to lag. Unless energy markets improve or strategic actions emerge, Alaska Air may remain grounded in the eyes of cautious investors.

International Paper, by contrast, is stepping back into favor with an upgrade to Buy that mixes realism with optimism. The analyst argues that after a rough restructuring period, the company is quietly improving its competitive position through tough decisions and a slate of earnings-enhancing projects. At roughly half its early‑2025 share price, IP no longer needs to hit its once‑lofty targets for investors to see meaningful upside.

Industry dynamics are also turning in International Paper’s favor, with a large wave of capacity cuts in containerboard improving the outlook for its core North American business. While transition costs, macro risks, and a European spin‑off overhang still cloud the near term, the stock’s modest valuation on 2026–2027 EBITDA is seen as overly pessimistic. For value‑oriented investors willing to tolerate some volatility, the upgrade suggests that hope—and improving fundamentals—may finally be back on IP’s side.