Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Friday: Evercore ISI upgrades Intel to outperform from in line Evercore upgraded the stock following earnings on Thursday. “Improved Execution: INTC’s new CEO fixed the balance sheet, and is executing on a strategy that appears to have put INTC back on the competitive track…” Needham upgrades Maxlinear to buy from hold Needham said the radio frequency and semiconductor products company is at an “inflection point.” “MXL reported a 1Q26 beat, and guided 2Q26 well above Street expectations due to Data Center related demand.” Guggenheim initiates Shake Shack as buy The firm said it sees profit growth for the burger chain. “We are initiating coverage on Shake Shack with a Buy rating and $120 price target.” Wedbush initiates Oracle as outperform Wedbush said the “market is fundamentally misinterpreting the company’s aggressive, contract-backed investment cycle as speculative risk.” “We are initiating coverage on Oracle with an OUTPERFORM rating and a $225 price target.” Read more. Morgan Stanley upgrades Phillips 66 to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said the oil and gas company is attractive. “Upgrade PSX t o OW on chems upside & attractive relative valuation.” Stephens initiates Rocket Companies as overweight Stephens said shares of the mortgage company have plenty more room to run. “We see RKT (OW-PT$22.50) best positioned, naturally hedged between Originations/Servicing, ultimately generating consistent, consolidated growth and multiples rerating positively.” JPMorgan initiates Hims & Hers as overweight JPMorgan said it sees room for growth. “We’re initiating coverage of HIMS with an Overweight rating and $35 December 2026 price target.” TD Cowen reiterates Apple as buy TD Cowen said it’s bullish ahead of Apple earnings next week. “AAPL stock sentiment is positive ahead of results given healthy iPhone 17 adoption, smartphone market share gains despite memory supply dynamics, and optimism around the new AI Siri.” Citi upgrades Intel to buy from neutral Citi upgraded the stock following earnings on Thursday. “We upgrade Intel to Buy from Neutral on improving agentic AI driven CPU demand which should lift all the CPU suppliers’ sales in the coming years.” Morgan Stanley upgrades British American Tobacco to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said it sees improving fundamentals. “Our increased conviction in new categories over the medium-term, combined with current softening combustibles trends, favours BAT – which is now our Top Pick in European Tobacco.” JPMorgan downgrades Bloomin’ Brands to underweight from neutral JPMorgan said it likes the company’s CEO but that it sees too many negative catalysts. ” BLMN moves to UW from Neutral as we find more compelling risk adjusted upside elsewhere in our coverage universe, on a relative basis.” Canaccord upgrades Gold Fields to buy from hold Canaccord said shares of the gold company have plenty of upside. “Our ratings for most of the stocks remain the same, with the exception o f Gold Fields ( GFI) which we have upgraded to a BUY, from HOLD, with a revised target price of US$57.25 (up from US$40.25).” Deutsche Bank downgrades Comcast to hold from buy Deutsche said the broadband environment remains too challenging right now for Comcast. “We are moving to a Hold rating (from Buy) and lowering our price target to $34, from $35, driven by our lower 2027+ EBITDA and FCF estimates.” Bank of America reiterates Caterpillar as buy The firm raised its price target on the stock to $930 per share from $825. “CAT is a global powerhouse in mining, construction, oil and gas, rail, and power systems equipment. We believe CAT is well positioned with trough earnings notably higher than in prior downturns.” Deutsche Bank initiates Ascentage Pharma as buy Deutsche said the biopharma company is firing on all cylinders. “We are initiating coverage on Ascentage Pharma (AAPG) with a Buy rating and a $40/sh PT.” Jefferies initiates Scorpio Tankers and International Seaways as buy The firm said it’s bullish on both tanker companies. “Supported by strong tanker fundamentals and geopolitics, we favor INSW and STNG.” DA Davidson upgrades Advanced Micro Devices to buy from neutral DA said it’s bullish ahead of earnings on May 5. “We are upgrading shares of AMD to BUY from Neutral and raising our price target to $375 from $220 based on a structural increase in CPU demand on top of much improved visibility into AMD’s role in the great data center buildout.” Morgan Stanley downgrades Freeport-McMoRan to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said the risk/reward is more “balanced.” “Despite FCX shares’ selloff today, we see limited upside to our reduced price target and a more balanced risk-reward.” Raymond James upgrades Polaris to outperform from market perform The firm said in its upgrade of Polaris that it was upgrading the ATV and snowmobile company due to tariff policy changes. “These rating changes largely reflect the expected shift in competitive dynamics within the U.S. powersports industry owing to the recent proclamation by the Trump Administration amending the U.S. Section 232 tariffs on imported steel, aluminum, and copper issued 4/2 and effective 4/6.”
