$T

Here Are Thursday’s Top Wall Street Analyst Research Calls: AT&T, Applied Digital, Autodesk, Duke Energy, Exxon Mobil, JPMorgan Chase & Company, Live Nation Entertainment, and More

A Wall Street analyst roundup cites macro moves and multiple stock rating changes. JPMorgan was upgraded to Buy at Deutsche Bank with a $375 target. AT&T was raised to Outperform at Wolfe Research with a $29 target. Pegasystems’ target was cut to $25. Applied Digital, Autodesk, Exxon Mobil, Live Nation, and Tyler Technologies received new initiations with stated targets.

Original reporting
Published Jul 23, 2026, 11:54 AM UTC
Analysis
alphai AI DeskAI-generated
Added to alphai Jul 23, 2026, 3:36 PM UTC. Informational, not investment advice.
How this was made
alphai summarizes source reporting and applies a structured AI analysis for relevance, timing, sentiment and ticker impact. Always verify material claims with the original publisher.
Here Are Thursday’s Top Wall Street Analyst Research Calls: AT&T, Applied Digital, Autodesk, Duke Energy, Exxon Mobil, JPMorgan Chase & Company, Live Nation Entertainment, and More — source image
Decision brief

The 30-second read

$TBullishLow
01

Why it matters

The only trader-relevant new facts are the specific rating and price-target changes for each named issuer; the macro section provides context for why those calls may have muted or amplified effects.

02

Market read

Analyst rating/PT changes can shift short-term positioning, but the article’s dominant macro narrative (oil, yields) may overwhelm single-note effects.

03

What to watch

Macro (Brent, 10-year yield) is the dominant driver described; analyst notes may matter less than rate/inflation expectations for near-term price action.

Relevance 4/10Novelty 4/10Timing: pre-market and early-session positioning around Thursday analyst notes

Background

The article frames a risk-off pre-market backdrop with higher oil prices and rising Treasury yields, then lists analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations for many US stocks.

Company-level read

Ticker impact

$TBullishMedium confidence
Context

AT&T was upgraded to Outperform from Peer Perform at Wolfe Research with a $29 target, a fresh rating and price objective change.

Expected impact

Likely modest positive drift around the note, with follow-through contingent on broader macro tape.

Evidence & confidence

This is a multi-name analyst call roundup, so the upgrade is actionable but not a standalone fundamental catalyst.

$JPMBullishMedium confidence
Context

JPMorgan Chase was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank, with the target raised to $375 from $345.

Expected impact

Short-term upside bias versus peers, but expect limited impact without additional company-specific news.

Evidence & confidence

The article provides the rating/PT change but no new JPM-specific operational or earnings datapoint.

$SOBearishMedium confidence
Context

Southern Company was cut to Underweight from Sector Weight at KeyBanc, with a $79 target.

Expected impact

Potential near-term underperformance versus the sector until new catalysts emerge.

Evidence & confidence

The note is a direct sentiment reset, but the piece lacks new fundamentals beyond the analyst action.

$PEGABearishMedium confidence
Context

Pegasystems was downgraded at Loop Capital, with its target slashed to $25 from $55.

Expected impact

Downside bias and higher volatility risk around the downgrade dissemination.

Evidence & confidence

The article discloses a concrete PT cut, but does not include the underlying thesis details.

$DUKBullishMedium confidence
Context

Duke Energy was raised to Overweight from Sector Weight at KeyBanc, with a $139 target.

Expected impact

Mild positive drift possible, especially if utilities are benefiting from rate-stability narratives.

Evidence & confidence

This is a rating/PT change without new company fundamentals in the text.

$AEEBullishLow confidence
Context

Ameren was upgraded to Overweight from Sector Weight at KeryBanc, with a $122 target price.

Expected impact

Slight upside bias, likely limited unless broader utility sentiment turns.

Evidence & confidence

The article provides only the rating/PT change and no additional rationale.

$VRSKBullishLow confidence
Context

Verisk Analytics was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies, raising the target to $235 from $192.

Expected impact

Potential short-term outperformance versus other data/analytics names.

Evidence & confidence

No new Verisk-specific operational information is included beyond the analyst action.

$APLDNeutralLow confidence
Context

Applied Digital was initiated at Morgan Stanley with an Equal Weight rating and a $36.50 target.

Expected impact

Likely range-bound to mildly positive depending on how the market interprets Equal Weight.

Evidence & confidence

Initiation is new, but the article does not provide the investment thesis or catalysts.

Market effects

Utilities and financials are directly affected by multiple rating changes, which can influence sector relative performance under a higher-yield tape.

Primarily US-listed equities; macro drivers (oil, Treasury yields) can spill into broader risk sentiment.

Higher oil and inflation fears are global macro inputs that can affect energy and cyclicals beyond the named stocks.

Counterpoint

Because this is a multi-name analyst roundup, the market may already price in typical rating/PT changes, limiting follow-through.

Key entities

  • AT&T

    Upgraded to Outperform at Wolfe Research with a $29 target.

  • JPMorgan Chase

    Upgraded to Buy at Deutsche Bank with a $375 target.

  • Southern Company

    Cut to Underweight at KeyBanc with a $79 target.

  • Pegasystems

    Downgraded with target cut to $25 from $55 at Loop Capital.

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