Bank of America Names Five Must-Have Stocks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 21 2026
0mins
Should l Buy EVR?
Source: CNBC
- Evercore Strong Performance: Evercore's recent quarterly earnings report showed strong top and bottom line beats, with analyst Ebrahim Poonawala noting that the firm's exposure to large-cap M&A and growth in non-M&A advisory revenues will support EPS growth, making it a compelling investment opportunity.
- Live Nation Growth Potential: Live Nation is viewed as a leader in global live entertainment, with analyst Peter Henderson highlighting robust demand and healthy consumer spending trends that will underpin its medium to long-term growth; despite regulatory pressures, the stock remains attractive, having risen 16% in the past month.
- Medline Market Leader: Analyst Andrew Obin initiated coverage of Medline with a buy rating, forecasting sustainable high-single digit organic growth driven by market share gains in the $175 billion U.S. market, with the stock up 13% over the past month.
- Waystar Steady Growth: Waystar is well-positioned for steady growth supported by stable end-market demand for revenue cycle management solutions, with analysts believing the company can expand relationships with 18 of the top 22 hospitals, driving further growth opportunities.
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Analyst Views on EVR
Wall Street analysts forecast EVR stock price to rise
6 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 285.220
Low
342.36
Averages
389.87
High
425.00
Current: 285.220
Low
342.36
Averages
389.87
High
425.00
About EVR
Evercore Inc. is an investment banking and investment management company. The Company's segment includes Investment Banking & Equities and Investment Management. Investment Banking & Equities includes the investment banking business through which it provides advice to clients on significant mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, shareholder activism, and other strategic corporate transactions, with a particular focus on advising multinational corporations and private equity firms on large, complex transactions. It also provides liability management and restructuring advice to companies in financial transition, as well as to creditors, shareholders, and potential acquirers. Investment Management includes the wealth management business, through which it provides investment advisory, wealth management and fiduciary services for high-net-worth individuals and associated entities, and the private equity business, which holds interests in private equity funds not managed by the Company.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Investors Face Key Opportunity Amid Maximum Uncertainty
- Market Inflection Point: Julian Emanuel of Evercore ISI predicts that April 6, when Trump lifts the pause on attacking Iran's energy facilities, could serve as a pivotal moment for energy prices and Wall Street, potentially leading to increased market volatility.
- Oil Price Impact Analysis: Emanuel emphasizes that the bullish outlook for stocks is entirely dependent on a decline in oil prices, warning that maintaining current levels for 30 to 45 days could inflict lasting damage on the economy and markets.
- Buying Opportunity Outlook: He plans to increase stock investments if the S&P 500 drops to 6,150, reflecting a further 3% decline from current levels, viewing this as a rational buying opportunity amid market corrections.
- Tech Stock Investment Strategy: Emanuel is focusing on artificial intelligence stocks, asserting that these companies will maintain visible earnings streams even during economic slowdowns, and he anticipates the S&P 500 will reach 7,750 by year-end, representing a 22% increase from Monday's close.
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- Disappointing Earnings Outlook: Nike is set to release its fiscal 2026 Q3 earnings report, with analysts expressing caution regarding performance in China, anticipating continued sales declines that could lead to further stock price drops and impact investor confidence.
- Inventory Management Improvements: Since taking over in October 2024, CEO Elliott Hill has cleared classic inventory and launched new product lines; however, the stock is still down approximately 35% from its 52-week high, reflecting market skepticism about recovery efforts.
- North American Market Growth: Nike's sales in North America rose 9% year-over-year to $5.6 billion, making it the company's largest market, but analysts note that growth is primarily driven by wholesale sales, necessitating attention to retail performance.
- Investor Confidence Wavers: While 61% of analysts maintain a buy rating on Nike, concerns arise as direct-to-consumer revenues fell 9%, leading investors to adopt a cautious stance on future growth amid increasing global economic uncertainties.
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- Analyst Sentiment: As of March 24, 2026, approximately 70% of analysts maintain bullish ratings on Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP), reflecting strong market confidence in its performance, with a consensus price target of $275 implying a 14.74% upside.
- Strong Performance Growth: Evercore highlights that Union Pacific continues to demonstrate robust operational performance supported by strong volume growth and solid margins, showcasing its competitiveness in the railroad and freight transportation sector.
- Merger Outlook Impact: Analysts suggest that Union Pacific's stock may remain range-bound until clarity is achieved regarding its proposed merger with Norfolk Southern; however, if the deal closes, significant upside is projected for the stock.
- Relative Valuation Advantage: The stock is currently trading at a discount to all but one of its peers, indicating its attractiveness in the market, despite some AI stocks potentially offering greater upside potential.
See More
Market Dynamics and Investment Opportunities Analysis
- Oil Prices and Market Reaction: Oil prices are rising while stock futures are down, as President Trump's extension of the pause on attacking Iranian energy infrastructure until April 6 is interpreted as a signal for troop buildup in the Middle East, potentially affecting energy-related stocks' performance.
- Social Media Platform Pressure: JPMorgan noted that the court ruling against Meta and YouTube could force significant changes in social media platforms, leading to a nearly 8% drop in Meta's stock yesterday, which may impact user engagement and profitability, potentially eroding investor confidence.
- Netflix Price Hike Expectations: Citi anticipates Netflix will raise its outlook for 2026 following its announcement of price increases across all subscription tiers, with JPMorgan estimating an additional $1.7 billion in annual revenue for 2025, although much of this increase is already factored into sales guidance.
- Brown-Forman Merger Talks: Citi upgraded Brown-Forman from sell to hold and raised its price target from $24 to $28, while JPMorgan also moved to hold, suggesting that merger prospects will support the stock price, despite the company's historical disinterest in takeover offers.
See More
Market Watch: Oil Prices Rise Amid Tech Developments
- Oil Price Surge: Global crude benchmark Brent has surged back above $100 a barrel, reflecting market sensitivity and uncertainty as optimism over resolving the Iran conflict is undermined by new attacks, impacting energy prices significantly.
- Market Momentum Indicator: The S&P Oscillator has dropped to -5.2, indicating that while the market remains oversold, this shift suggests potential consolidation ahead, prompting investors to monitor future developments in the war for market direction.
- Arm Event and AI Collaboration: Chip designer Arm Holdings is set to announce a new partnership with Nvidia at its “Arm Everywhere” event, which is expected to solidify its crucial role in AI computing, potentially influencing stock performance in the tech sector.
- Investment Rating Changes: Bank of America upgraded CoreWeave to a buy rating, despite market skepticism about its durability; analysts believe its strategic alliances with Nvidia and OpenAI will provide competitive advantages, reflecting ongoing confidence in AI infrastructure.
See More
US-Iran Tensions Ease, Boosting Stock Market Rally
- Market Rally: President Trump announced ongoing negotiations to ease hostilities with Iran, resulting in a significant stock market surge, with major indices like the S&P 500 and Dow sharply rising, creating a 'risk-on' environment favorable to financial firms.
- Asset Management Gains: The rise in equity values boosts the assets under management (AUM) for asset management firms, a key performance metric, as seen with Evercore (EVR) jumping 3.2%, highlighting the positive impact on the investment banking sector.
- Energy Price Drop: The easing of tensions led to a more than 7% drop in Brent crude oil prices, which not only affects the energy sector but also potentially lowers costs for consumers, further enhancing market sentiment.
- Payoneer Volatility: Payoneer (PAYO) shares rose 7.5%, despite an 11.7% decline year-to-date, indicating that today's market movement is significant, although it may not fundamentally alter perceptions of the company's business outlook.
See More
Investors Face Key Opportunity Amid Maximum Uncertainty
- Market Inflection Point: Julian Emanuel of Evercore ISI predicts that April 6, when Trump lifts the pause on attacking Iran's energy facilities, could serve as a pivotal moment for energy prices and Wall Street, potentially leading to increased market volatility.
- Oil Price Impact Analysis: Emanuel emphasizes that the bullish outlook for stocks is entirely dependent on a decline in oil prices, warning that maintaining current levels for 30 to 45 days could inflict lasting damage on the economy and markets.
- Buying Opportunity Outlook: He plans to increase stock investments if the S&P 500 drops to 6,150, reflecting a further 3% decline from current levels, viewing this as a rational buying opportunity amid market corrections.
- Tech Stock Investment Strategy: Emanuel is focusing on artificial intelligence stocks, asserting that these companies will maintain visible earnings streams even during economic slowdowns, and he anticipates the S&P 500 will reach 7,750 by year-end, representing a 22% increase from Monday's close.
See More
Nike's Recovery Faces Critical Challenges Ahead of Earnings
- Disappointing Earnings Outlook: Nike is set to release its fiscal 2026 Q3 earnings report, with analysts expressing caution regarding performance in China, anticipating continued sales declines that could lead to further stock price drops and impact investor confidence.
- Inventory Management Improvements: Since taking over in October 2024, CEO Elliott Hill has cleared classic inventory and launched new product lines; however, the stock is still down approximately 35% from its 52-week high, reflecting market skepticism about recovery efforts.
- North American Market Growth: Nike's sales in North America rose 9% year-over-year to $5.6 billion, making it the company's largest market, but analysts note that growth is primarily driven by wholesale sales, necessitating attention to retail performance.
- Investor Confidence Wavers: While 61% of analysts maintain a buy rating on Nike, concerns arise as direct-to-consumer revenues fell 9%, leading investors to adopt a cautious stance on future growth amid increasing global economic uncertainties.
See More
Evercore Bullish on Union Pacific Amid Strong Volume Growth
- Analyst Sentiment: As of March 24, 2026, approximately 70% of analysts maintain bullish ratings on Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP), reflecting strong market confidence in its performance, with a consensus price target of $275 implying a 14.74% upside.
- Strong Performance Growth: Evercore highlights that Union Pacific continues to demonstrate robust operational performance supported by strong volume growth and solid margins, showcasing its competitiveness in the railroad and freight transportation sector.
- Merger Outlook Impact: Analysts suggest that Union Pacific's stock may remain range-bound until clarity is achieved regarding its proposed merger with Norfolk Southern; however, if the deal closes, significant upside is projected for the stock.
- Relative Valuation Advantage: The stock is currently trading at a discount to all but one of its peers, indicating its attractiveness in the market, despite some AI stocks potentially offering greater upside potential.
See More
Market Dynamics and Investment Opportunities Analysis
- Oil Prices and Market Reaction: Oil prices are rising while stock futures are down, as President Trump's extension of the pause on attacking Iranian energy infrastructure until April 6 is interpreted as a signal for troop buildup in the Middle East, potentially affecting energy-related stocks' performance.
- Social Media Platform Pressure: JPMorgan noted that the court ruling against Meta and YouTube could force significant changes in social media platforms, leading to a nearly 8% drop in Meta's stock yesterday, which may impact user engagement and profitability, potentially eroding investor confidence.
- Netflix Price Hike Expectations: Citi anticipates Netflix will raise its outlook for 2026 following its announcement of price increases across all subscription tiers, with JPMorgan estimating an additional $1.7 billion in annual revenue for 2025, although much of this increase is already factored into sales guidance.
- Brown-Forman Merger Talks: Citi upgraded Brown-Forman from sell to hold and raised its price target from $24 to $28, while JPMorgan also moved to hold, suggesting that merger prospects will support the stock price, despite the company's historical disinterest in takeover offers.
See More
Market Watch: Oil Prices Rise Amid Tech Developments
- Oil Price Surge: Global crude benchmark Brent has surged back above $100 a barrel, reflecting market sensitivity and uncertainty as optimism over resolving the Iran conflict is undermined by new attacks, impacting energy prices significantly.
- Market Momentum Indicator: The S&P Oscillator has dropped to -5.2, indicating that while the market remains oversold, this shift suggests potential consolidation ahead, prompting investors to monitor future developments in the war for market direction.
- Arm Event and AI Collaboration: Chip designer Arm Holdings is set to announce a new partnership with Nvidia at its “Arm Everywhere” event, which is expected to solidify its crucial role in AI computing, potentially influencing stock performance in the tech sector.
- Investment Rating Changes: Bank of America upgraded CoreWeave to a buy rating, despite market skepticism about its durability; analysts believe its strategic alliances with Nvidia and OpenAI will provide competitive advantages, reflecting ongoing confidence in AI infrastructure.
See More
US-Iran Tensions Ease, Boosting Stock Market Rally
- Market Rally: President Trump announced ongoing negotiations to ease hostilities with Iran, resulting in a significant stock market surge, with major indices like the S&P 500 and Dow sharply rising, creating a 'risk-on' environment favorable to financial firms.
- Asset Management Gains: The rise in equity values boosts the assets under management (AUM) for asset management firms, a key performance metric, as seen with Evercore (EVR) jumping 3.2%, highlighting the positive impact on the investment banking sector.
- Energy Price Drop: The easing of tensions led to a more than 7% drop in Brent crude oil prices, which not only affects the energy sector but also potentially lowers costs for consumers, further enhancing market sentiment.
- Payoneer Volatility: Payoneer (PAYO) shares rose 7.5%, despite an 11.7% decline year-to-date, indicating that today's market movement is significant, although it may not fundamentally alter perceptions of the company's business outlook.
See More
