Amidst market concerns over AI and oil prices, top Wall Street analysts have identified three stocks with strong growth potential: UnitedHealth, Meta Platforms, and Marvell Technology. UnitedHealth reported strong Q3 results and raised its outlook, while Meta is gaining traction with its Muse AI agent. Marvell Technology raised its total addressable market estimate to $400 billion by 2030, driven by AI demand, with all three receiving bullish ratings and elevated price targets from leading analysts.
Despite prevailing market anxieties stemming from the artificial intelligence sector and increased pressure on oil prices, a select group of stocks continues to present robust growth prospects for investors, even in challenging economic climates.
For those adopting a long-term investment strategy, navigating the current volatility can be achieved by heeding the advice of top Wall Street analysts. Their insights can pinpoint attractive stocks with significant long-term growth potential.
According to TipRanks, a renowned platform that rates analysts based on their historical performance, here are three companies that are currently favored by some of Wall Street's most respected professionals.
UnitedHealth (UNH)
Health insurance behemoth UnitedHealth recently surpassed expectations with its third-quarter 2026 financial results. The company also proactively revised its full-year earnings outlook upwards, signaling continued success in its strategic turnaround efforts.
Following the positive Q3 announcement, Morgan Stanley analyst Erin Wright reaffirmed a 'buy' rating on UNH stock, setting a price target of $529. Wright, a five-star analyst, highlighted that "UNH's beat & raise reinforces turnaround momentum, with improving MA [Medicare Advantage]/Optum Health supporting a higher '26 EPS baseline & upside to '27 consensus."
Wright further elaborated that the stronger-than-anticipated performance in both the UnitedHealthcare and Optum Health divisions contributed to another increase in the company's 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) forecast, now projected to be at least $20.50. This guidance increase came despite planned incremental investments for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Moreover, Wright noted management's perspective that the consensus 2027 EPS of $22.63 appears overly conservative. Achieving even the lower end of the company's stated 13% to 16% long-term EPS growth target would imply an EPS of $23.17.
Consequently, Wright adjusted her own EPS estimates, raising 2026 EPS to $20.65 (from $19.82) and 2027 EPS to $23.24 (from $22.54). These revisions reflect the recent upside and an improved 2026 medical loss ratio, now at 87.4% from 88.1%. Overall, Wright maintains high confidence in UnitedHealth's operational improvements, its UHC strategy, and the execution of its Optum Health turnaround.
Erin Wright is ranked #264 among over 12,500 analysts by TipRanks, boasting a 64% success rate and an average return of 15% on her ratings.
Meta Platforms (META)
Social media titan Meta Platforms has garnered significant attention following the successful launch of its Muse AI agent, which is experiencing substantial adoption. Investors eagerly anticipate updates on the company's evolving AI strategy during its third-quarter earnings announcement on October 21.
Ahead of the Q3 earnings call, Guggenheim analyst Michael Morris upheld a 'buy' rating on Meta stock and increased his price target to $850 from $700, reflecting higher projections for 2027. He expects that the momentum in Muse usage and engagement levels will significantly influence investor sentiment during the upcoming earnings call.
Morris specifically pointed out data from Apptopia, indicating that Muse achieved 1.3 million daily active users within five weeks, a significant leap from 300,000 in its inaugural week. Given that Muse's current adoption constitutes less than 0.05% of Meta's expansive 3.6 billion daily active user base, the analyst anticipates management will prioritize boosting user engagement over immediate monetization strategies.
"Over time, we believe Muse monetizes primarily through businesses paying to reach consumers through their agents, consistent with the economics of Meta's core advertising business, rather than consumer wallets," the five-star analyst stated, noting that checkout integrations with platforms like Shopify and PayPal align with this monetization framework.
Despite concerns regarding potential rivals or the possibility of Meta entering a prolonged period of excessive investment in AI, Morris remains optimistic. He cites the company's impressive track record in scaling WhatsApp, effectively competing with TikTok via Reels, and leveraging its vast user base for free distribution.
Michael Morris is ranked #629 among more than 12,500 analysts tracked by TipRanks, with a 57% success rate and an average return of 13.2%.
Marvell Technology (MRVL)
Rounding out the list is semiconductor innovator Marvell Technology. Earlier this month, Marvell's Investor Day highlighted a revised total addressable market (TAM) estimate, increasing it to $400 billion by 2030, driven largely by robust demand tailwinds from artificial intelligence.
Following a non-deal roadshow with Marvell's senior leadership after Investor Day, Stifel analyst Tore Svanberg reiterated a 'buy' rating on the stock, accompanied by a price target of $370.
The five-star analyst noted that a primary discussion point during the roadshow was the balance between XPU and XPU Attach revenue within Marvell's Custom business, which is projected to reach a $30 billion revenue target by FY31. Management confirmed expectations for a balanced mix of XPU and XPU Attach revenue in FY31, though they acknowledged that rapid growth in either segment could shift the mix towards 60/40 or 40/60.
While XPU was the dominant contributor to the nearly $1.5 billion in Custom revenue in FY26, Svanberg anticipates substantial growth in Marvell's XPU Attach business through the end of the decade, leading to a more evenly distributed revenue mix. At the Investor Day event, the company elevated its FY29 Custom target from over $10 billion to more than $12 billion, primarily due to the strength observed in the XPU Attach business.
Another critical theme during the roadshow was Marvell's capacity to meet its ambitious revised targets. Management assured that they had engaged with suppliers prior to Investor Day, sharing their five-year goals and receiving commitments to support these objectives. Svanberg believes that Marvell's secure supply chain commitments provide a significant competitive advantage as clients seek dependable partners for large-scale infrastructure developments.
Tore Svanberg ranks #91 among more than 12,500 analysts tracked by TipRanks, with a profitable rating record of 58% and an impressive average return of 31.8%.
