Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:WDC) is one of the hottest large-cap stocks of 2025. On December 16, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst CJ Muse raised the firm’s price target on Western Digital to $250 from $200, while keeping an Overweight rating on the shares. The semiconductor sector is set to remain a market leader after a stellar 2025, given that the AI era is just beginning. While the firm acknowledged some mixed economic signals, Cantor Fitzgerald advised investors to maintain a long position on the SOX ...

Core Insights - Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:WDC) is considered one of the most undervalued tech giants by hedge funds, with 77% of analysts giving it a 'Buy' rating and a median price target of $182, indicating a limited upside potential of 0.36% due to a significant stock increase of 303% year-to-date and a quadrupling in 2025 [1][2] Analyst Ratings - Mizuho reaffirmed its 'Outperform' rating for Western Digital with a price target of $180 following an investor call with the company's CFO and VP of IR [2] - Morgan Stanley raised its price target for Western Digital from $188 to $228 while maintaining an 'Overweight' rating, favoring companies benefiting from cloud capital expenditures [4] Customer Agreements and Market Position - Western Digital has strong visibility with its top five customers, who have purchase orders secured through the end of 2026, with one customer extending orders to CY27 [3] - The company is engaged in long-term agreements with customers that extend through 2027-2029, providing strong pricing visibility and improved margins due to enhanced areal density [3]

Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:WDC) is one of the best performing S&P 500 stocks in 2025. On December 17, Morgan Stanley raised the firm’s price target on Western Digital to $228 from $188 with an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm advised investors to maintain an Overweight position in IT Hardware companies that benefit from cloud capital expenditures and product cycles. Conversely, the firm remains increasingly cautious on manufacturers with high memory exposure due to the margin pressures as ...

Group 1: Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX) - Seagate Technology Holdings plc is a data storage devices and solutions company with a Zacks Rank 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 7% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.10 compared to the industry average of 1.53, indicating strong growth potential [1] - Seagate possesses a Growth Score of B, reflecting its favorable growth characteristics [1] Group 2: Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS) - Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation is a water management solutions provider with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 4.2% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a PEG ratio of 2.26 compared to the industry average of 2.67, suggesting competitive growth prospects [2] - Zurn Elkay also possesses a Growth Score of B, indicating solid growth characteristics [2] Group 3: H World Group Limited (HTHT) - H World Group Limited is a hotel management company with a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 3.1% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.25 compared to the industry average of 1.95, highlighting its growth potential [3] - H World Group possesses a Growth Score of B, reflecting its strong growth characteristics [3]

Group 1: Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX) - Seagate Technology Holdings plc is a data storage devices and solutions company with a Zacks Rank 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 7% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.05, which is lower than the industry average of 1.49, and possesses a Growth Score of B [1] Group 2: Cibest S.A. (CIB) - Cibest S.A. provides banking services and products and also carries a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 3.3% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.24 compared to the industry average of 2.17, and possesses a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: H World Group Limited (HTHT) - H World Group Limited is a hotel management company with a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 3% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.15, which is lower than the industry average of 1.86, and possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks are highlighted for investors: Ultrapar Participaçoes S.A., Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation, and Seagate Technology Holdings plc [1][2][3] Company Summaries - **Ultrapar Participaçoes S.A. (UGP)**: - Zacks Rank 1 - Current year earnings estimate increased by 51.9% over the last 60 days - PEG ratio of 1.90 compared to the industry average of 2.45 - Growth Score of A [1][2] - **Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS)**: - Zacks Rank 1 - Current year earnings estimate increased by 4.2% over the last 60 days - PEG ratio of 2.23 compared to the industry average of 2.68 - Growth Score of B [2] - **Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX)**: - Zacks Rank 1 - Current year earnings estimate increased by 7% over the last 60 days - PEG ratio of 1.00 compared to the industry average of 1.47 - Growth Score of B [3]

Group 1: Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN) - The company is a consumer products retailer and wholesaler with a Zacks Rank 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 5.9% over the last 60 days [1] - Urban Outfitters has a PEG ratio of 1.07, which is lower than the industry average of 1.65 [1] - The company possesses a Growth Score of B [1] Group 2: Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) - The company specializes in memory and storage products and holds a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 27.1% over the last 60 days [2] - Micron Technology has a PEG ratio of 0.42, significantly lower than the industry average of 1.41 [2] - The company possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 3: Western Digital Corporation (WDC) - The company focuses on data storage devices and solutions and carries a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 2.2% over the last 60 days [3] - Western Digital has a PEG ratio of 0.91, compared to the industry average of 2.20 [3] - The company possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Group 1: Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN) - Urban Outfitters is a consumer products retailer and wholesaler with a Zacks Rank 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 5.9% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.05 compared to the industry average of 1.69 and possesses a Growth Score of B [1] Group 2: Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) - Micron Technology is a memory and storage products company with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 27.1% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.44 compared to the industry average of 1.40 and possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 3: Western Digital Corporation (WDC) - Western Digital is a data storage devices and solutions company with a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 1.9% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.95 compared to the industry average of 2.27 and possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks for investors to consider as of October 15th, including Micron Technology, Western Digital, and Skillsoft [1][2][3]. Group 1: Micron Technology (MU) - Micron Technology is a leading provider of semiconductor memory solutions with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Micron's current year earnings has increased by 27.1% over the last 60 days [1]. - Micron has a PEG ratio of 0.40, significantly lower than the industry average of 1.35, and possesses a Growth Score of A [2]. Group 2: Western Digital (WDC) - Western Digital is a prominent developer and manufacturer of data storage devices and solutions, also holding a Zacks Rank 1 [2]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Western Digital's current year earnings has increased by 1.9% over the last 60 days [2]. - Western Digital has a PEG ratio of 0.88 compared to the industry average of 2.29, and it has a Growth Score of B [3]. Group 3: Skillsoft (SKIL) - Skillsoft specializes in digital learning, training, and talent solutions, and it carries a Zacks Rank 1 [3]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Skillsoft's current year earnings has also increased by 1.9% over the last 60 days [3]. - Skillsoft has a PEG ratio of 0.40, lower than the industry average of 0.78, and possesses a Growth Score of B [3].

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong momentum and buy rankings are highlighted for investors: Gold Fields Limited, Western Digital, and StoneCo [1][2][3][4] Company Summaries - **Gold Fields Limited (GFI)**: A leading unhedged gold producer with operations in South Africa, Ghana, and Australia. The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a 7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days. Its shares gained 78.3% in the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 7.8% gain, and it holds a Momentum Score of A [1][2]. - **Western Digital (WDC)**: A prominent developer and manufacturer of data storage devices utilizing NAND flash and hard disk drive technologies. The company also has a Zacks Rank of 1 and a 1.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days. Its shares surged 88.3% in the last three months, again outperforming the S&P 500's 7.8% gain, with a Momentum Score of A [2][3]. - **StoneCo (STNE)**: A financial technology solutions provider offering a cloud-based platform for electronic commerce across various channels. The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 and an 8.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days. Its shares increased by 17.2% in the last three months, also outperforming the S&P 500's 7.8% gain, and it possesses a Momentum Score of A [3][4].