Buying some of the stocks analysts are most bullish on could help hedge some doubt heading into an uncertain second quarter. It’s been a contentious past few months for stocks, with investors plagued both by fears of a mounting trade war and recent data sharing mixed signals about the economy. February’s core personal consumption expenditures price index — the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge — came in hotter than expected on Friday, showing that inflation may be lingering at higher levels than would be ideal. Investors sent stocks lower in response, since this higher-than-expected reading puts the U.S. central bank’s rate-cutting regime in jeopardy. Against this volatile backdrop, CNBC Pro screened for the stocks most-liked and vetted by analysts heading into the second quarter. To be included in the following table, stocks had to meet the following criteria: Be a member of the Nasdaq 100 index Have a buy rating from at least 55% of analysts covering the name Have an upside to average price target of at least 35% One name on the list was Micron Technology . The chipmaker is up about 5% this year, but shares have dropped 25% over the last 12 months. Sixty-eight percent of analysts covering the name have assigned it a buy rating, and the average price target implies an upside of 43%. Last Friday, the stock dropped 8% in a single day despite having posted a fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue beat the night before. The stock was hurt by worries about startup costs at a chip plant it’s building in Idaho. Still, after the earnings release, JPMorgan analyst Harlan Sur reiterated his overweight rating on the stock, pointing to a positive setup for the remainder of the year. “We believe the stock should continue to outperform through 2025 as the market continues to discount improving revenue/margin/earnings power on top of strong positive EPS revisions,” Sur wrote. The analyst’s price target of $135 is nearly 53% higher than where shares of Micron closed on Friday. Fellow semiconductor stock Broadcom has slipped more than 27% this year, but is still up 27% in the last 12 months. Around 70% of analysts covering the name view it as a buy, and the average price target implies an upside of 46%. Earlier this week, Bank of America highlighted Broadcom as the best-positioned stock among large-cap names. “Our top pick across the AI connectivity space is AVGO given its wide product portfolio and early CPO adoption,” wrote analyst Vivek Arya. Yet another chip stock, Applied Materials , was included in the list. Shares are down 10% this year and have fallen 29% over the past 12 months. However, the average price target implies 42% upside for the stock, and 73% of analysts covering Applied Materials have assigned it a buy rating. On Friday, Jefferies upgraded shares to a buy rating from hold. Analyst Blayne Curtis’ $195 price target, up from $185, implies upside of roughly 34% from Friday’s close. Curtis believes that Applied Materials’ recent pullback has opened up an attractive point of entry for investors. As another catalyst, he highlighted that the stock has the lowest China exposure among the big three U.S. semiconductor companies. “Leading Edge and DRAM beneficiary and March guidance brings China exposure to the lowest in the group. Currently trading at the cheapest in the group,” the analyst wrote. Other names in the Nasdaq 100 index that analysts are overwhelmingly bullish on include “Magnificent Seven” titans Nvidia and Alphabet . Get Your Ticket to Pro LIVE Join us at the New York Stock Exchange! Uncertain markets? Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange. In today’s dynamic financial landscape, access to expert insights is paramount. As a CNBC Pro subscriber, we invite you to join us for our first exclusive, in-person CNBC Pro LIVE event at the iconic NYSE on Thursday, June 12. Join interactive Pro clinics led by our Pros Carter Worth, Dan Niles, and Dan Ives, with a special edition of Pro Talks with Tom Lee. You’ll also get the opportunity to network with CNBC experts, talent and other Pro subscribers during an exciting cocktail hour on the legendary trading floor. Tickets are limited!
