In Spite of Macro Woes, Wall Street Analysts Believe These Stocks Have Potential

Despite the ongoing economic uncertainty keeping markets volatile, analysts believe investors should focus on high-quality stocks that can deliver solid long-term gains. According to several top-rated Wall Street analysts tracked by TipRanks, three standout companies—Nvidia, Zscaler, and Salesforce—offer strong growth potential thanks to their impressive financial performance and strategic positioning.

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Nvidia

Nvidia (NVDA), a major player in the semiconductor industry, is the first stock that continues to attract analyst attention. The company recently posted better-than-expected results for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2026. Despite challenges such as export restrictions on its H20 chips to China, Nvidia remains optimistic about the sustained demand for its artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

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Following Nvidia’s earnings report, JPMorgan analyst Harlan Sur reiterated a bullish stance on the stock, maintaining an “Overweight” rating and setting a price target of $170. He highlighted that while Nvidia lost some revenue due to chip export limitations, the company’s performance was still strong, particularly in its data center business. Sur expects data center revenue in the July quarter to rise by about 16% from the previous quarter, largely driven by ongoing customer investment in AI and Nvidia’s new Blackwell platform.

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Sur emphasized the high demand for Blackwell, predicting that supply will lag behind demand for multiple quarters. He also noted that Nvidia is benefiting from significant data center partnerships in regions like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Taiwan, and expects steady growth through 2026.

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In his view, Nvidia continues to outperform rivals by offering a comprehensive suite of silicon, hardware, and software products. The company’s rapid pace of innovation and targeted product segmentation are helping it maintain its leadership in the AI space.

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Harlan Sur is ranked 38th among over 9,600 analysts on TipRanks. His stock recommendations have yielded positive returns 66% of the time, with an average return of 23.4%.

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Zscaler

Next is Zscaler (ZS), a leading cybersecurity company. Zscaler recently reported fiscal third-quarter results that exceeded expectations, thanks to rising demand for its Zero Trust Exchange platform and its increasing focus on AI-related security solutions.

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In response to the strong quarterly report, JPMorgan analyst Brian Essex reaffirmed his “Overweight” rating and raised his price target from $275 to $292. He pointed out that the company’s robust performance stands out, especially when compared to peers who faced more significant macroeconomic pressures.

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Essex praised the momentum of Zscaler’s newer offerings like Zero Trust Everywhere and Data Security Everywhere, which are close to reaching $1 billion in annual recurring revenue (ARR). He also noted that the number of large customers—those contributing more than $1 million in ARR—grew by 23% year over year, putting the company on track to exceed $3 billion in ARR by the end of the fiscal year.

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The analyst added that Zscaler’s recent acquisition of cybersecurity firm Red Canary is promising, as it will allow the company to enhance its threat detection capabilities by incorporating Red Canary’s intellectual property and threat intelligence.

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Essex ranks 652nd on TipRanks, with a success rate of 58% and an average return of 12.6%.

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Salesforce

Finally, Salesforce (CRM), a leader in customer relationship management software, recently delivered better-than-expected results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 and raised its guidance for the full year. The company also announced its acquisition of Informatica, a data management company, in a deal worth $8 billion.

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TD Cowen analyst Derrick Wood maintained a “Buy” rating on Salesforce and set a price target of $375. He highlighted that both revenue and current remaining performance obligations surpassed Wall Street estimates. Wood believes that Salesforce’s renewed focus on expanding its salesforce is a positive sign for future growth.

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He also pointed to strong momentum in AI adoption across Salesforce’s platforms. The company’s Data Cloud and AI-related ARR increased by more than 120% year over year. Agentforce, Salesforce’s new AI-driven product, is gaining traction, with 30% of new bookings coming from existing customers expanding their usage.

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Wood explained that with operating margins in the mid-30% range, Salesforce is reinvesting cost savings from AI efficiency gains back into its growth efforts. Notably, the company is ramping up hiring after years of relatively flat sales headcount—another sign that management sees strong demand on the horizon.

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Derrick Wood ranks 176th on TipRanks, with a 62% success rate and an average return of 14.8%.

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Conclusion

While market volatility remains a concern amid macroeconomic uncertainty, leading analysts continue to highlight companies like Nvidia, Zscaler, and Salesforce as well-positioned for long-term growth. These firms are delivering strong results, investing in innovation, and responding strategically to changing market dynamics, making them compelling options for investors seeking resilience and upside potential.

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