Five stocks stand out heading into Wednesday, September 30, 2026, each carrying a bullish rating change issued on Tuesday, September 29. Bond yields are the story to watch. The 10-year Treasury yield traded around 5.25% on September 29, its highest level since mid-2007, and the CME Group FedWatch tool implied a 72.5% chance of another rate hike at the October 27-28 meeting on the same day. The Federal Open Market Committee last raised its target range to 3.75% to 4.00% on September 16. August Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation data is scheduled for release on September 30.
The five ideas below span streaming media, grocery retail, auto parts, energy equipment, and business lending. Editorial notes only, not investment advice.
Netflix (NFLX) – Deutsche Bank Steps In After a Wave of Downgrades
Netflix was upgraded from Hold to Buy on Tuesday by Deutsche Bank analyst Bryan Kraft, although he trimmed his price target to $95 from $100. The call runs against recent momentum. In our view, the pullback has brought the valuation of the world's largest paid streaming service back to a more reasonable level, while advertising and live events add new sources of revenue.
Shares traded near $70.34 during Tuesday's session, up about 1.61%, giving Netflix a market capitalization near $293 billion. The stock sits near its 52-week low of $65.08 and far below its high of $124.86. The trailing price-to-earnings multiple is 22.11.
Consensus reads strong buy, with 23 bullish, four neutral, and one bearish rating among 28 tracked firms. The average price target of $96.96 implies roughly 38% upside, and Oppenheimer's Jason Helfstein holds the high target of $135.
Risks: Two firms turned more cautious this month. Wells Fargo's Steven Cahall downgraded to Underweight with a $57 target on September 18, and HSBC's Mohammed Khallouf downgraded to Hold at $76 on September 22. Subscriber growth, content spending, and competition for viewer time all remain factors to monitor.
Kroger (KR) – Melius Research Upgrades the Grocer
Kroger was upgraded from Hold to Buy on Tuesday by Melius Research. Kroger is the largest traditional supermarket operator in the United States. In our view, grocery spending tends to hold up when consumers are under pressure, and the company's pharmacy, private-label, and digital businesses give it room to defend margins.
Shares traded near $60.65 during Tuesday's session, up about 1.60%, giving Kroger a market capitalization near $37 billion. The 52-week range runs from $54.15 to $76.58, the trailing price-to-earnings multiple is 32.82, and the dividend yield is near 2%.
Consensus reads buy, with five bullish and six neutral ratings among 11 tracked firms. The average price target of $68.18 implies roughly 12% upside. Telsey Advisory Group's Joseph Feldman holds Outperform at $75.
Risks: More than half the panel remains neutral, and several targets have come down. Guggenheim's John Heinbockel cut his target to $66 from $71 on September 15, and Wells Fargo's Edward Kelly downgraded to Equal-Weight in February. Price competition from discounters and warehouse clubs, food inflation, and labor costs all remain factors to monitor.
AutoZone (AZO) – Bernstein Initiates at Outperform
AutoZone drew a fresh Outperform initiation on Tuesday from Bernstein. AutoZone is one of the largest auto parts retailers in the country. In our view, the business benefits when drivers keep older vehicles longer, a trend that tends to strengthen when borrowing costs make new cars more expensive.
Shares traded near $2,849.75 during Tuesday's session, down about 2.18%, giving AutoZone a market capitalization near $47 billion. The stock sits just above its 52-week low of $2,764.88 and well below its high of $4,332.68. The trailing price-to-earnings multiple is 18.67.
Consensus reads strong buy, with 16 bullish and two neutral ratings among 18 tracked firms. The average price target of $3,610.56 implies roughly 27% upside.
Risks: Targets are drifting lower even among bulls. JPMorgan's Christopher Horvers cut his target to $3,700 from $3,850 on September 28, and Truist's Scot Ciccarelli cut to $3,648 from $3,817 on September 23. Tariff-related costs, commercial sales growth, and higher interest expense all remain factors to monitor.
Baker Hughes (BKR) – Goldman Sachs Reinstates at Buy
Baker Hughes drew a Buy rating on Tuesday as Goldman Sachs reinstated coverage. Baker Hughes supplies oilfield services along with gas turbines, compressors, and liquefied natural gas equipment. In our view, its industrial and energy technology segment gives it exposure to LNG buildouts and power demand from data centers, not just drilling activity.
Shares traded near $56.35 during Tuesday's session, down about 1.35%, giving Baker Hughes a market capitalization near $56 billion. The 52-week range runs from $43.92 to $70.41, the trailing price-to-earnings multiple is 18.13, and the dividend yield is near 2%.
Consensus reads buy, with 10 bullish, two neutral, and one bearish rating among 13 tracked firms. The average price target of $72.85 implies roughly 29% upside. Susquehanna's Charles Minervino raised his target to $75 on September 10 with a Positive rating.
Risks: Jefferies' Lloyd Byrne trimmed his target to $77 from $80 on September 29 while holding Buy, and UBS's Josh Silverstein holds Neutral at $72. Oil price swings, upstream spending cuts, and the timing of large LNG equipment orders all remain factors to monitor.
Main Street Capital (MAIN) – Wells Fargo Upgrades the Lender
Main Street Capital was upgraded from Equal-Weight to Overweight on Tuesday by Wells Fargo analyst Finian O'Shea, who raised his price target to $60 from $55. Main Street is a business development company that lends to and invests in lower middle-market private companies. In our view, higher rates support income on its largely floating-rate loan book.
Shares traded near $56.20 during Tuesday's session, up about 2.04%, giving Main Street a market capitalization near $5.2 billion. The 52-week range runs from $48.95 to $65.23, the trailing price-to-earnings multiple is 11.32, and the dividend yield is near 8%.
Consensus reads buy, with three bullish and two neutral ratings among five tracked firms. The average price target of $61 implies roughly 9% upside, and Citizens' Brian McKenna holds the high target of $70. This is primarily an income idea rather than a price-appreciation call.
Risks: Truist's Mark Hughes holds Hold at $57. Credit quality among borrowers, a possible slowdown in the economy, and the stock's premium to net asset value all remain factors to monitor.
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