Analysts on Wall Street Find These Three Stocks Appealing During These Challenging Times

Global stock markets continue to be shaken by uncertainty surrounding tariffs, as investors grow increasingly anxious about rising costs and the possibility of a broader economic slowdown. While these developments have contributed to a retreat in several stocks, some investors see this pullback as a chance to pick up quality names at attractive valuations.

‍

According to TipRanks, a platform that tracks top Wall Street analysts based on their success rates and average returns, a few standout stocks have emerged that could weather near-term headwinds and deliver strong performance over time. Here are three such picks that are earning praise from highly ranked analysts.

‍

Affirm Holdings

First on the list is Affirm Holdings (ticker: AFRM), a leading player in the buy now, pay later (BNPL) sector. By the end of 2024, Affirm had amassed a customer base of 21 million users and maintained relationships with 337,000 merchants. The company’s appeal lies in its innovative point-of-sale lending model, which differentiates it from many peers in the same space.

‍

On April 7, TD Cowen analyst Moshe Orenbuch initiated coverage on Affirm with a “Buy” rating and a price target of $50, representing roughly 23 times its projected 2026 adjusted earnings per share. Orenbuch noted that Affirm is one of the most successful BNPL platforms in the U.S., highlighting its comprehensive lending offerings and consumer-friendly approach.

‍

The analyst also emphasized Affirm’s superior underwriting expertise, as the company had experience issuing longer-term loans before entering the BNPL market. Strategic partnerships with major e-commerce players like Amazon and Shopify, Orenbuch said, are further evidence of Affirm’s strength and potential to scale efficiently.

‍

Another key advantage for Affirm, according to the analyst, is its robust funding program. This has historically enabled the company to access better financing terms compared to other consumer lenders. Orenbuch also pointed out that Affirm outperformed many nonprime lenders during the difficult credit conditions of 2022–2023.

‍

While near-term growth may slow due to labor market weakness, Orenbuch believes this will only slightly affect Affirm’s short-term profitability and not its longer-term growth outlook.

‍

Ranked 22nd out of over 9,300 analysts on TipRanks, Orenbuch has achieved a 64% success rate with an average return of 19.4%.

‍

TJX Companies

Next is TJX Companies (TJX), an off-price retail giant operating more than 5,000 stores in nine countries. Its banners include familiar names like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Homesense, and Sierra. These stores offer discounted merchandise sourced from more than 21,000 vendors in over 100 countries, allowing TJX to pass on significant savings to customers.

‍

Jefferies analyst Corey Tarlowe recently reaffirmed his bullish stance on TJX, maintaining a “Buy” rating and a $150 price target. His view was informed by Jefferies’ post-earnings “Inventory Insanity” analysis, which revealed a 2.9% year-over-year inventory increase across the firm’s coverage — up from 2.2% in the previous quarter.

‍

Tarlowe sees TJX as best positioned among its peers to capitalize on this excess inventory, thanks to its seasoned team of over 1,300 buyers. He also sees upside from the long-term consumer shift toward off-price retailers, as well as TJX’s ongoing growth in the Home category and international markets.

‍

Despite a tough comparison year that included a 53rd week in fiscal 2024, TJX managed to post a record 30.6% gross margin in fiscal 2025. The analyst believes management’s fiscal 2026 guidance of 30.4%–30.5% is conservative, suggesting there’s room for outperformance.

‍

Tarlowe is ranked No. 574 on TipRanks, with a 55% success rate and an average return of 10.2%.

‍

CyberArk Software

Lastly, CyberArk Software (CYBR), a cybersecurity firm focused on identity security, rounds out the list. With earnings for Q1 2025 scheduled for May 13, TD Cowen analyst Shaul Eyal remains optimistic. He reiterated a “Buy” rating on the stock and kept his price target at $450.

‍

Eyal believes CyberArk is in a solid position to not only meet but potentially exceed revenue expectations, despite macroeconomic concerns. His confidence is supported by ongoing demand and positive feedback from industry sources. He noted that value-added resellers and consultants haven’t seen any major slowdown in CyberArk’s sales pipeline.

‍

CyberArk’s strength stems from the mission-critical nature of its identity and access management solutions. Eyal also referenced the company’s recent acquisitions, including Zilla (which provides identity governance tools) and Venafi (a leader in machine identity), as steps that should expand its platform further.

‍

Additionally, the analyst sees potential for CyberArk to raise its full-year revenue outlook later in the year. Even if it simply reiterates its current guidance following a solid Q1, he says, investors will still likely view it positively given the uncertain macro backdrop.

‍

Eyal is highly regarded among analysts, ranked No. 14 on TipRanks with a 64% success rate and a stellar 22.5% average return.

‍