Five stocks stand out heading into Thursday, October 29, 2026, each backed by a bullish rating change or new coverage issued on Wednesday, October 28. AI stocks led the market higher on October 27. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to 7,722.60, within 1.2% of the record it set earlier in October, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.18% to 26,477.81. Broadcom helped lead the move after announcing a $63 billion financing deal tied to Anthropic. Stocks edged higher in early trading on October 28, while oil rose after a Houthi attack on a Saudi refinery. The Federal Reserve was set to announce its rate decision at 2 p.m. ET on October 28, with CME FedWatch pricing roughly a 90% chance of a hold at 3.75% to 4.00%. Microsoft and Alphabet report after the close on October 28, Amazon follows on October 29, and the midterm elections are November 3.
The five ideas below span aerospace, semiconductors, construction software, energy infrastructure, and healthcare services. Editorial notes only, not investment advice.
Boeing (BA) – Langenberg Upgrades the Jet Maker After a Sharp Drop
Boeing was upgraded from Hold to Buy on Wednesday by Langenberg. The call followed Boeing's cut to its delivery target, which sent shares down nearly 10% on October 27. Boeing builds commercial jets, including the 737 and 787, along with military aircraft, defense systems, and space vehicles. In our view, a large order backlog and steady demand for new planes mean the selloff may have priced in much of the near-term production trouble.
Shares traded near $167.11 during Wednesday's session, down about 0.64%, giving Boeing a market capitalization near $132 billion. The stock sits just above its 52-week low of $165.01 and far below its high of $254.35.
Consensus reads strong buy, with 16 of 17 tracked firms bullish. The average price target of $252.82 looks dated after several cuts on October 28. BNP Paribas' Matthew Akers kept his Outperform rating but cut his target to $205 from $265, which implies about 23% upside. Barclays' Anthony Valentini cut his target to $250 from $300 the same day while staying at Overweight.
Risks: Wells Fargo's David Strauss cut his target to $210 from $250 on October 28, and Morgan Stanley's Kristine Liwag rates the stock Equal-Weight. Production and quality problems, regulatory oversight, and supply-chain delays remain factors to monitor.
Marvell Technology (MRVL) – SPDB International Initiates the Data Center Chip Designer at Buy
Marvell was initiated with a Buy rating on Wednesday by SPDB International, with a $303 price target. Marvell designs custom AI chips, networking chips, and optical connectivity chips used in data centers run by large cloud companies. In our view, the push by big tech firms to design their own AI processors plays to Marvell's strength in custom silicon.
Shares traded near $248.84 during Wednesday's session, up about 2.16%, giving Marvell a market capitalization near $218 billion. The 52-week range runs from $70.69 to $329.88, and the trailing price-to-earnings multiple is 82.59.
Consensus reads strong buy, with 24 of 26 tracked firms bullish and two neutral. The average price target of $348 implies roughly 40% upside, while the SPDB target implies about 22%. Jefferies' Blayne Curtis raised his target to $450 on October 7.
Risks: Two firms rate the stock neutral. Reliance on a few large cloud customers, competition from Broadcom in custom chips, and swings in AI spending remain factors to monitor.
Procore Technologies (PCOR) – Griffin Securities Initiates the Construction Software Provider at Buy
Procore was initiated with a Buy rating on Wednesday by Griffin Securities, with an $82 price target. Procore sells cloud software that builders, contractors, and property owners use to manage construction projects, budgets, and documents. In our view, construction remains one of the least digitized major industries, which leaves Procore plenty of room to grow.
Shares traded near $61.98 during Wednesday's session, up about 0.41%, giving Procore a market capitalization near $9.4 billion. The 52-week range runs from $38.03 to $82.32. The reported price-to-earnings multiple is negative and not meaningful.
Consensus reads strong buy, with 13 of 14 tracked firms bullish. The average price target of $71.14 implies roughly 15% upside, and the Griffin target implies about 32%. Cantor Fitzgerald's Mason Marion raised his target to $70 on October 16.
Risks: DA Davidson's Clark Wright rates the stock Neutral. Slower construction activity, high interest rates, and competition from larger software firms remain factors to monitor.
Excelerate Energy (EE) – DNB Carnegie Upgrades the Floating LNG Specialist
Excelerate Energy was upgraded from Hold to Buy on Wednesday by DNB Carnegie. Excelerate owns floating terminals that turn liquefied natural gas back into gas for delivery to power plants and pipelines. It also supplies LNG to customers in emerging markets. In our view, floating terminals give countries a faster and cheaper way to import gas than building onshore plants, which supports demand for Excelerate's fleet.
Shares traded near $33.95 during Wednesday's session, up about 1.98%, giving Excelerate a market capitalization near $3.9 billion. The 52-week range runs from $24.90 to $43.18, the trailing price-to-earnings multiple is 23.38, and the dividend yield is near 1%.
Consensus reads buy, with four of six tracked firms bullish and two neutral. The average price target of $40.33 implies roughly 19% upside. Barclays' Theresa Chen raised her target to $43 on August 11.
Risks: Wells Fargo's Praneeth Satish holds Equal-Weight, and Morgan Stanley's Devin McDermott also rates the stock Equal-Weight. Contract renewals, political risk in emerging markets, and swings in global gas prices remain factors to monitor.
Chemed (CHE) – Jefferies Upgrades the Hospice and Plumbing Services Company
Chemed was upgraded from Hold to Buy on Wednesday by Jefferies, which raised its price target to $620 from $520 after a third-quarter earnings beat. Chemed owns VITAS Healthcare, one of the largest U.S. hospice providers, and Roto-Rooter, the plumbing and drain-cleaning service. In our view, an aging population supports long-term hospice demand, while Roto-Rooter adds steady cash flow from a separate business.
Shares traded near $552.19 during Wednesday's session, up about 8.47%, giving Chemed a market capitalization near $7.2 billion. The stock sits near its 52-week high of $562.24 and well above its low of $365.21. The trailing price-to-earnings multiple is 26.42.
This is a contrarian call. Coverage is thin, with only one of four tracked firms bullish and three neutral. The average price target of $530.75 sits below the share price and looks dated, so the Jefferies target is the better guide, implying about 12% upside.
Risks: RBC Capital's Ben Hendrix and BofA's Joanna Gajuk both rate the stock neutral. Medicare hospice payment rules, government audits, and slower plumbing demand remain factors to monitor.
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