The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly.Top 5 Upgrades: Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded Live Nation (LYV) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $193, up from $166. The firm says Department of Justice's breakup argument is "losing its teeth" and that a settlement is "seemingly on the horizon."UBS upgraded Palantir (PLTR) to Buy from Neutral with an $180 price targ ...

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades, downgrades and initiations, please see our analyst ratings page.Considering buying SNPS stock? Here’s what analysts think: Photo via Shutterstock ...

Core Viewpoint - Broyhill Asset Management's fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter emphasizes the significant market concentration on artificial intelligence, leading to underperformance in many sectors, while the portfolio trades at a substantial discount compared to the broader market [1]. Company Summary - Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ:DLTR) operates a chain of discount stores and has a market capitalization of $26.047 billion [2]. - As of February 25, 2026, Dollar Tree's stock closed at $127.70 per share, with a one-month return of 8.86% and a 52-week gain of 74.55% [2]. - The company was highlighted as a major contributor to Broyhill's portfolio performance, with the stock recovering due to mispriced market perceptions and improvements in business execution [3]. Investment Insights - Broyhill Asset Management noted that Dollar Tree's turnaround has been uneven, but the simplification of its business model and execution improvements have led to a belief that its normalized earnings power is significantly higher than market expectations [3]. - Despite recognizing Dollar Tree's potential, Broyhill suggests that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and less downside risk compared to Dollar Tree [4].

The London Company, an investment management company, released its fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter for its “The London Company Mid Cap Strategy”. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In Q4 2025, US equities posted the third consecutive quarter of higher returns, with the Russell 3000 Index rising 2.4%. The market highlighted how investors balanced the optimism on earnings growth and concerns regarding AI returns and cooling macroeconomic factors. In the quarter, the portfolio returned 3.2% (3.0% ...

We recently published an article titled 12 Best Retail Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. On February 17, Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ:DLTR) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral by Rothschild & Co Redburn, which established a $165 price target. Earlier, on February 3, Evercore ISI analyst Michael Montani reduced the firm’s price target to $160 from $165 while maintaining an In Line rating, reflecting adjustments within its Retail Broadlines & Hardlines coverage universe. During the company’s third-quarter 20 ...

In Plano, Mayor John Muns has described the new format as a downsized Target, offering a quick in-and-out experience that avoids the chaos of big-box parking lots.The increased prices allow Dollar Tree to absorb the higher lease costs that come with prime suburban real estate while still undercutting local supermarkets and pharmacies on household essentials, according to Realtor.com.Dollar Tree's move into upscale suburbs is supported by its evolving pricing model. After raising its baseline price to $1.25 ...

In this article, we will discuss 12 Best Retail Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.The global retail industry is projected to reach approximately $29.79 trillion in 2026, with growth expected to continue at a healthy 6.87% CAGR through 2031. Expansion is being fueled by AI-enabled supply chains, rapid e-commerce penetration, and increasingly personalized customer experiences. As technology reshapes how consumers discover and purchase products, retailers are blending digital convenience with physical presen ...

Core Viewpoint - The American retail landscape is facing significant challenges, with three major retailers—Dollar Tree, Kohl's, and Macy's—showing signs that they could potentially go out of business by the end of the year due to weak financial fundamentals and consumer sentiment [1]. Group 1: Dollar Tree - Dollar Tree reported Q3 revenue of $4.75 billion, reflecting a 9.4% year-over-year growth, and beat EPS estimates with $1.21 [1]. - The company generated $958.5 million in operating cash flow but had capital expenditures of $870.3 million, resulting in a free cash flow of only $88.2 million [1]. - Dollar Tree's total liabilities stand at $10.19 billion against equity of $3.46 billion, raising concerns about its financial stability [1]. Group 2: Kohl's - Kohl's achieved Q3 revenue of $3.58 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.10, marking its third consecutive quarter of beating expectations [1]. - However, revenue declined by 2.8% year-over-year, and net income fell by 63.64% to just $8 million, with cash reserves dropping 17.24% to $144 million [1]. - The stock has increased by 65% over the past year, but shareholders have lost 63.5% over the last five years, indicating a lack of long-term confidence [1]. Group 3: Macy's - Macy's reported Q3 revenue of $4.713 billion, beating EPS estimates with $0.09, and comparable sales grew by 2.5% [1]. - Despite this, revenue declined by 3.88% year-over-year, and net income dropped by 60.71% to just $11 million [1]. - The company returned $99 million to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, which is unsustainable given its current financial performance [1]. Group 4: Common Challenges - All three retailers exhibit a lack of financial cushion, with Kohl's net income at $8 million, Dollar Tree's free cash flow at $88 million, and Macy's net income at $11 million [1]. - They face significant financial pressure if consumer spending remains weak, especially as they need to invest in digital transformation to compete effectively [1].

Core Insights - The article highlights that Walmart is experiencing growth among higher-income shoppers, particularly those earning over $100,000, while lower-income households are struggling with rising costs [2][5]. Economic Context - The current economic situation is described as a K-shaped economy, where wealthier individuals benefit from stock market gains and higher wages, leading to increased consumer spending [2]. - Lower-income households, however, are facing challenges as their earnings do not keep pace with rising costs of essentials like food, housing, and childcare [3]. Labor Market and Inflation - Recent labor market data indicates minimal job growth in 2025, raising concerns about future employment trends [4]. - Inflation rates have shown a 2.4% increase compared to the previous year, surpassing the Federal Reserve's target but slowing down compared to earlier months [4]. Retail Sector Trends - Walmart is viewed as a bellwether for the U.S. economy, with executives noting a hiring recession and lower consumer sentiment as factors for caution [5]. - Other retailers, such as Dollar Tree and Aldi, are also seeing an influx of higher-income shoppers, indicating a shift in consumer demographics [6]. Tariff Impact - Price increases on goods have been attributed to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, with consumers and businesses bearing nearly 90% of the costs [7]. - Walmart's CFO stated that tariff-driven inflation may have peaked, contrasting with Amazon's CEO's comments about ongoing price impacts from tariffs [8]. Financial Performance - Walmart reported a 4.6% increase in same-store sales for its U.S. business for the quarter ending January 31, exceeding analyst expectations, although its profit forecast fell short of Wall Street estimates [8]. - The company recently achieved a market valuation of $1 trillion, becoming the first traditional retailer to do so, but lost its title as the largest global company by revenue to Amazon [9]. Technological Advancements - Walmart is positioning itself as a tech-forward competitor to Amazon, having switched to the Nasdaq and investing in artificial intelligence to reduce costs and improve efficiency [10]. - The company aims to leverage technology to enhance customer solutions and streamline operations while maintaining customer trust [11].

Core Insights - The upcoming earnings releases from major Retail-Wholesale players are expected to shape near-term market sentiment, with modest growth anticipated in sales and earnings following the holiday shopping season [1] - The sector is projected to achieve fourth-quarter revenue growth of 6.7% year over year, while earnings are expected to rise by 3.5%, indicating a slowdown from previous growth rates [2] Group 1: Earnings Trends - Consumer spending trends significantly influenced retail performance during the holiday season, with December retail sales unchanged month over month, reflecting a slowdown from November's 0.6% gain [4] - Year-over-year retail sales increased by 2.4% in December and 3.3% in November, indicating some resilience despite the month-over-month stagnation [4] - The slowdown in consumer spending is attributed to moderating job growth, policy uncertainty, and elevated household cost pressures, leading consumers to prioritize essentials and seek discounts [5] Group 2: Margin Pressures - Inflation trends, although moderating, continue to impact consumer budgets and retailers' cost structures, exerting pressure on margins for those unable to pass on higher costs [6] - Retailers with strong pricing power and efficient supply-chain management are better positioned to protect profitability amid these challenges [6] Group 3: E-commerce and Inventory Management - E-commerce and omnichannel execution are critical differentiators, with retailers that integrate digital and physical channels effectively capturing demand during peak shopping periods [7] - Inventory discipline is vital for profitability, with retailers using advanced analytics to align stock levels with demand, thus avoiding excessive markdowns [8] Group 4: Company-Specific Insights - **Dollar General**: Positioned well with a Zacks Rank 2 and an Earnings ESP of +16.26%, supported by market share gains and strategic initiatives like "Project Elevate" [10][11] - **Walmart**: Holds a Zacks Rank 3 and an Earnings ESP of +1.31%, leveraging e-commerce momentum and a commitment to low prices, with a stable earnings estimate suggesting a 10.6% year-over-year increase [14][15] - **Home Depot**: Also a Zacks Rank 3 with an Earnings ESP of +5.61%, focusing on professional contractors and utilizing AI tools to enhance project planning [16][17] - **Dollar Tree**: With a Zacks Rank 3 and an Earnings ESP of +1.63%, the company is enhancing its value proposition and operational discipline following the decision to move forward without the Family Dollar brand [18][19][20]