3 Upgraded Stocks to Load Up on Before Earnings

Meta Platforms - Meta Platforms is focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) to drive revenue growth and internal efficiency, establishing a "superintelligence" division and recruiting talent from companies like Apple and OpenAI [1][2] - The stock has seen a significant price target increase, with a rise of over 40% in the first half of the year, and recent revisions suggest a potential price near $900, indicating a 25% gain from early July levels [3] - Technical signals indicate a strong uptrend, with the potential for the stock to reach near $950, supported by cash flow from AI investments, allowing for dividends and share buybacks [4] Dollar General - Dollar General's turnaround efforts and rationalization strategy are positively impacting its performance, leading to increased analyst coverage and a shift in sentiment to Moderate Buy [6][7] - The company is expected to report Q2 earnings soon, with analysts forecasting mid-single-digit revenue growth, although they may be underestimating the company's potential [7][8] - The focus on digitization and improved store experiences is anticipated to enhance store traffic and revenue, leading to substantial guidance improvements [8] Wingstop - Wingstop is experiencing challenges in comparable store sales for 2025 but is maintaining growth through unit expansion and international market penetration [10] - Analysts have increased coverage by 25% and upgraded the stock to Moderate Buy, with a consensus forecast suggesting a 10% upside, potentially reaching a new all-time high [11] - The company's capital return program, including aggressive share buybacks, supports the stock price rebound, despite a low dividend yield [12]