Here Are Thursday’s Top Wall Street Analyst Research Calls: Advanced Micro Devices, Amgen, AngloGold Ashanti, Caterpillar, Chewy, Meta Platforms, Novartis, NVIDIA, SK hynix, and More
JPMorgan upgraded Meta (META) to Overweight with an $820 target. Piper Sandler initiated AMD and NVIDIA (NVDA) with Overweight ratings. Gold hit $4,400, Bitcoin rose to $78,000. Brent Crude surpassed $100. Markets fell due to rising rates and geopolitical tensions. August inflation data is expected to impact Fed rate hike decisions.
How this was made

The 30-second read
Why it matters
Analyst rating changes provide fresh directional cues for individual stocks, but overall market weakness may limit upside.
Market read
Rating actions affect individual stock sentiment, yet broader macro pressures dominate market direction.
What to watch
Potential impact of upcoming CPI and PPI releases could reverse any short‑term rally from analyst upgrades.
Background
The article aggregates analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations across multiple sectors on a day of heightened market stress due to rising rates and geopolitical tensions.
Ticker impact
JPMorgan upgraded Meta Platforms to Overweight with a new $820 price target.
Short-term price could rise toward $820 if market reacts.
Upgrade and higher target suggest improved outlook, but broader market weakness may limit move.
Piper Sandler initiated AMD with an Overweight rating and a $60 target price.
Expect modest upside if investors follow the new rating.
Initiation signals confidence; however, market sentiment is mixed.
Piper Sandler initiated NVIDIA with an Overweight rating and a $300 target price.
Potential short-term rally toward $300.
High target reflects strong growth expectations, but overall market is down.
Freedom Broker upgraded Caterpillar to Buy with a $980 target price.
Limited upside, likely hold or slight gain.
Sector pressure from higher rates may offset upgrade benefit.
Morgan Stanley upgraded DT Midstream to Overweight with a $170 target price.
Modest upside possible.
Energy sector faces headwinds from higher rates and oil price volatility.
HSBC downgraded Amgen to Hold, cutting target to $425.
Potential short-term decline.
Target reduction signals weaker outlook.
BNO Capital cut AngloGold Ashanti to Market Perform, target unchanged at $115.
Possible modest pullback.
Market sentiment for gold miners is mixed.
Evercore ISI downgraded Chewy to In Line, target $25.
Likely sideways to slight down.
Retail sector pressure and higher rates.
Market effects
Broad analyst upgrades may buoy tech and industrials, but higher rates and geopolitical risk weigh on energy and commodities.
U.S. equities face pressure from rising Treasury yields and oil price spikes.
Global markets watch rate outlook and oil volatility; analyst actions are US‑centric.
Counterpoint
Despite upgrades, elevated rates and geopolitical tension could suppress gains; investors may stay cautious.
Key entities
- Financial InstitutionJPMorgan
Provided upgrades to META and SK hynix.
- Financial InstitutionPiper Sandler
Initiated coverage of AMD and NVDA.




