Updated Q1 Top Stocks: Full List & Analysis

It’s important to note where the big money is flowing, with the first quarter quickly drawing to a close. Big money, which, in this case, is analysts and their followers, continues to flow into blue-chip technology and artificial intelligence. That said, analyst activity in March is significant. While there is one familiar name on the list, two rising stars are climbing the ranks and offering opportunities for investors. These are the most up-to-date stocks of March, and they all have double-digit upside potential

CrowdStrike is the most loved by analysts

CrowdStrike NASDAQ: CRWD is no newcomer to Marketbeat.com’s list of most up-to-date stocks. The stock has held strong positions over the last twelve months, ranking third in the last year, third in the first quarter and first in March. The reason is simple: The company’s single-platform approach to cloud operations and security is attractive and useful for businesses moving to the cloud and looking to maximize its effectiveness.

Utility is measured in terms of revenue growth and leverage driven by existing customer penetration. Highlights from the fourth quarter earnings release included outperformance and guidance above general consensus.

Analyst activity in the CRWD sector is strong in March. Marketbeat.com tracks thirty-three reviews from thirty-eight analysts and all are positive. Sentiment remained stable at Moderate Buy, but the price target increased 43% month over month and is leading the market. The current consensus assumes a 15% upside and new high, while the new high target adds another $60 or 16%.

Highlights from the chatter include impressive business volume for this best-in-class platform. Company growth is progressing faster than expected, with better-than-expected profitability.

Price action in CrowdStrike hit a new high ahead of the earnings release and confirmed support at a critical level afterward. Now, the market is consolidating and forming a bullish flag pattern which suggests the trend will continue. Since the market is driven as much by results as analysts, it could easily beat consensus on its way to the high end of the expected range.

Micron is a rising star in artificial intelligence

Micron NASDAQ:MU was the No. 2 most updated stock in March because the company reached a pivotal point and its business was better than expected. Highlights from the FQ2 release include normalized end markets compounded by growing demand for AI. Micron is not positioned for the data center and accelerator market, but it is well positioned for the long-term integration of AI into our devices, mobile drives and IoT.

The guidance was also strong, suggesting that NVIDIA-like strength will continue into 2024 and next year.

Micron analysts were excited by the news and issued twenty-one reviews within the first week. One is a reiterated but solid rating of Buy with a price target above consensus; the rest include two updates, and all include a target price increase. The consensus target increased 25% at the end of March and will trend higher; implies an 8% upside, but the most significant detail is the recent price action. Micron shares have risen above their DotCom peak, setting them up to double over the next quarter to two years.

The target regains its charm

Target New York Stock Exchange: TGT it’s not completely out of the ordinary yet, but the business is stabilizing and the margin is solid. The latest results do not suggest strength, but point to a return to growth by the end of the fiscal year in the following fiscal year. Between then and now, the company will work on its financial position, invest in the future and pay dividends. Reliable Payment is worth a 2.6% yield at about 50% of earnings, and analysts are buying the retailer’s turnaround story.

Marketbeat.com tracks twenty reviews from twenty-seven analysts in the month of March, enough to rank it #3. Sentiment has improved from Hold to Moderate Buy and the price target is 15%. As of late March, the consensus is near $179, with many new targets ranging from $180 to $210.

Before you consider CrowdStrike, you’ll want to hear this.

MarketBeat tracks daily Wall Street’s highest-rated and best-performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients. MarketBeat identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market takes hold… and CrowdStrike wasn’t on the list.

While CrowdStrike currently has a “Moderate Buy” rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View the five stocks here