7 Best Stocks to Own Right Now in 2019

Posted on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 by MarketBeat Staff

Today, we are inviting you to view our list of the seven best stocks to own for the next thirty days.

Why is it worth looking into these stocks? Some of Wall Street's most respected and most accurate research analysts have been upgrading these stocks and raising their price targets for these companies.

No, we're not talking recommendations from some no-name blogger or a junior analyst from a brokerage you've never heard of. These stocks have received multiple positive recommendations in the last 30 days from analysts that have received four star and five star rankings from MarketBeat's proprietary brokerage ranking system.

Analysts given four star and five star ratings from MarketBeat consistently issue accurate price targets and their buy recommendations often outperform the market by double digits. Buy recommendations from our current top-rated brokerage, National Securities, have gone up by an average of 47.5% in the 12 months after they were issued.

We've reviewed every research report published by these top-rated analysts in the last 90 days and have identified seven stocks that these analysts are poised for an immediate breakout.

#1 - Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG)

Upgrades from Top-Ranked Analysts: 13 (in the last 90 days)
Consensus Rating: Hold
Rating Score: 2.1
Ratings Breakdown: 12 Buy Ratings, 15 Hold Ratings, 7 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $570.0690 (-18.8% Upside)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. As of December 31, 2018, it operated 2,491 restaurants, including 2,452 Chipotle restaurants in the United States, 37 Chipotle restaurants internationally, and two non-Chipotle restaurants. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

Recent Recommendations for Chipotle Mexican Grill:

• Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) had its "outperform" rating re-affirmed by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group. They now have a $700.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $600.00. (4/18/2019)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) had its price target raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Co from $489.00 to $647.00. They now have a "market perform" rating on the stock. (4/16/2019)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) had its price target raised by analysts at Piper Jaffray Companies from $725.00 to $755.00. They now have an "overweight" rating on the stock. (4/10/2019)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) was upgraded by analysts at Wedbush from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating. They now have a $640.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $500.00. (3/22/2019)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) had its "buy" rating re-affirmed by analysts at Argus. They now have a $770.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $670.00. (3/21/2019)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) had its price target raised by analysts at Piper Jaffray Companies from $661.00 to $725.00. They now have an "overweight" rating on the stock. (3/18/2019)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) had its price target raised by analysts at BTIG Research from $620.00 to $700.00. They now have a "buy" rating on the stock. (3/13/2019)

#2 - VMware (NYSE:VMW)

Upgrades from Top-Ranked Analysts: 9 (in the last 90 days)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.5
Ratings Breakdown: 14 Buy Ratings, 6 Hold Ratings, 2 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $181.6818 (-7.4% Upside)

VMware, Inc. provides software in the areas of hybrid cloud, multi-cloud, modern applications, networking and security, and digital workspaces in the United States and internationally. The company offers compute products, including VMware vSphere, a data center platform, which enables users to deploy hypervisor, a layer of software that resides between the operating system and system hardware to enable compute virtualization; and cloud management products for businesses with automated operation, programmable provisioning, and application monitoring solutions. It also provides networking and security products and services that enable customers to connect, secure, and operate their network consistently within and across the data center, cloud, and network edges; and storage and availability products, including data storage and protection options. In addition, the company offers VMware Cloud Foundation, a platform that brings together its compute, storage, and networking technologies into an integrated stack and delivers enterprise-ready cloud infrastructure for private and public clouds; and VMware Pulse IoT Center, an Internet of Things device management and monitoring solution. Further, it provides hybrid cloud computing solutions, such as VMware Cloud Provider Program, VMware Cloud Foundation, and VMware Cloud Services; and end-user computing solutions, such as Workspace ONE that delivers and manages any application on any device by integrating access control, application management, and multi-platform endpoint management. The company sells its products through distributors, resellers, system vendors, and systems integrators. VMware, Inc. has a strategic alliance with Amazon Web Services to build and deliver an integrated hybrid solution. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. VMware, Inc. is a subsidiary of Dell Technologies Inc.

Recent Recommendations for VMware:

• VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) had its price target raised by analysts at KeyCorp from $192.00 to $206.00. They now have an "overweight" rating on the stock. (4/18/2019)
• VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) had its price target raised by analysts at Wedbush from $190.00 to $210.00. They now have an "outperform" rating on the stock. (4/11/2019)
• VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) is now covered by analysts at Mizuho. They set a "neutral" rating and a $160.00 price target on the stock. (3/13/2019)
• VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) was downgraded by analysts at Goldman Sachs Group Inc from a "neutral" rating to a "sell" rating. They now have a $177.00 price target on the stock. (3/6/2019)
• VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) was given a new $130.00 price target on by analysts at Nomura. They now have a "sell" rating on the stock. (3/1/2019)
• VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) had its price target raised by analysts at Barclays PLC from $168.00 to $200.00. They now have an "overweight" rating on the stock. (3/1/2019)
• VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) had its price target raised by analysts at KeyCorp from $172.00 to $192.00. They now have an "overweight" rating on the stock. (3/1/2019)

#3 - Wayfair (NYSE:W)

Upgrades from Top-Ranked Analysts: 9 (in the last 90 days)
Consensus Rating: Hold
Rating Score: 2.4
Ratings Breakdown: 11 Buy Ratings, 12 Hold Ratings, 1 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $146.7071 (-2.9% Upside)

Wayfair Inc. engages in the e-commerce business in the United States, Europe, and internationally. It provides approximately 14 million products for the home sector under various brands. The company offers selection of furniture, décor, decorative accents, housewares, seasonal décor, and other home goods through its sites, including Wayfair, Joss & Main, AllModern, Birch Lane, and Perigold. Wayfair Inc. was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

Recent Recommendations for Wayfair:

• Wayfair Inc (NYSE: W) was upgraded by analysts at Gordon Haskett from a "hold" rating to an "accumulate" rating. (3/21/2019)
• Wayfair Inc (NYSE: W) had its price target raised by analysts at Loop Capital to $195.00. They now have a "positive" rating on the stock. (3/12/2019)
• Wayfair Inc (NYSE: W) had its "neutral" rating re-affirmed by analysts at Bank of America Corp. They now have a $175.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $163.00. (3/1/2019)
• Wayfair Inc (NYSE: W) is now covered by analysts at Argus. They set a "hold" rating and a $163.85 price target on the stock. (2/28/2019)
• Wayfair Inc (NYSE: W) had its price target raised by analysts at Credit Suisse Group AG from $130.00 to $192.00. They now have an "outperform" rating on the stock. (2/25/2019)
• Wayfair Inc (NYSE: W) had its price target raised by analysts at Citigroup Inc from $117.00 to $150.00. They now have a "neutral" rating on the stock. (2/25/2019)
• Wayfair Inc (NYSE: W) had its price target raised by analysts at Wedbush from $100.00 to $120.00. They now have a "neutral" rating on the stock. (2/25/2019)

#4 - Bed Bath & Beyond (NASDAQ:BBBY)

Upgrades from Top-Ranked Analysts: 8 (in the last 90 days)
Consensus Rating: Hold
Rating Score: 2.0
Ratings Breakdown: 2 Buy Ratings, 14 Hold Ratings, 3 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $17.4118 (4.5% Upside)

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates a chain of retail stores. It sells a range of domestics merchandise, including bed linens and related items, bath items, and kitchen textiles; and home furnishings, such as kitchen and tabletop items, fine tabletop, basic housewares, general home furnishings, consumables, and various juvenile products. It also provides various textile products, amenities, and other goods to institutional customers in the hospitality, cruise line, healthcare, and other industries. As of December 1, 2018, the company had a total of 1,550 stores, including 1,005 Bed Bath & Beyond stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada; 282 stores under the names of World Market, Cost Plus World Market, or Cost Plus; 122 buybuy BABY stores; 82 stores under the Christmas Tree Shops, Christmas Tree Shops andThat! or andThat! names; 57 stores under the Harmon, Harmon Face Values, or Face Values names; and 2 retail stores under the One Kings Lane name. It also offers products through various Websites and applications, such as bedbathandbeyond.com, bedbathandbeyond.ca, harmondiscount.com, facevalues.com, christmastreeshops.com, andthat.com, buybuybaby.com, buybuybaby.ca, harborlinen.com, t-ygroup.com, worldmarket.com, ofakind.com, onekingslane.com, personalizationmall.com, chefcentral.com, and decorist.com. In addition, it operates Of a Kind, an e-commerce Website that features specially commissioned limited edition items from emerging fashion and home designers; One Kings Lane, an authority in home décor and design that offers a collection of selected home goods, and designer and vintage items; PersonalizationMall.com, an online retailer of personalized products; Chef Central, an online retailer of kitchenware, cookware, and homeware items catering to cooking and baking enthusiasts; and Decorist, an online interior design platform. The company was founded in 1971 and is based in Union, New Jersey.

Recent Recommendations for Bed Bath & Beyond:

• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) had its price target raised by analysts at Wedbush from $14.00 to $19.00. They now have a "neutral" rating on the stock. (4/11/2019)
• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) had its price target raised by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group from $18.00 to $20.00. They now have a "market perform" rating on the stock. (4/11/2019)
• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) was given a new $25.00 price target on by analysts at Bank of America Corp. They now have a "buy" rating on the stock. (4/10/2019)
• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) was upgraded by analysts at Citigroup Inc from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating. They now have a $18.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $10.00. (4/1/2019)
• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) had its price target raised by analysts at Loop Capital to $16.00. They now have an "average" rating on the stock. (3/29/2019)
• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) was upgraded by analysts at Wolfe Research from an "underperform" rating to a "market perform" rating. (3/27/2019)
• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) had its "market perform" rating re-affirmed by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group. They now have a $18.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $13.00. (3/27/2019)

#5 - Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI)

Upgrades from Top-Ranked Analysts: 7 (in the last 90 days)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.7
Ratings Breakdown: 16 Buy Ratings, 6 Hold Ratings, 1 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $129.0455 (10.3% Upside)

Darden Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, owns and operates full-service restaurants in the United States and Canada. As of May 27, 2018, it owned and operated approximately 1,746 restaurants under the Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, and Eddie V's brands. The company was founded in 1968 and is based in Orlando, Florida.

Recent Recommendations for Darden Restaurants:

• Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) had its price target raised by analysts at Citigroup Inc from $120.00 to $146.00. They now have a "buy" rating on the stock. (4/3/2019)
• Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) had its price target raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Co from $110.00 to $120.00. They now have a "market perform" rating on the stock. (3/22/2019)
• Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) was given a new $130.00 price target on by analysts at Bank of America Corp. They now have a "buy" rating on the stock. (3/22/2019)
• Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) had its price target raised by analysts at Loop Capital to $140.00. They now have a "buy" rating on the stock. (3/22/2019)
• Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) had its price target raised by analysts at SunTrust Banks, Inc. to $141.00. They now have a "buy" rating on the stock. (3/22/2019)
• Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) had its price target raised by analysts at BTIG Research to $134.00. They now have a "buy" rating on the stock. (3/22/2019)
• Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) had its price target raised by analysts at Mizuho from $125.00 to $130.00. They now have a "buy" rating on the stock. (3/22/2019)

#6 - Global Payments (NYSE:GPN)

Upgrades from Top-Ranked Analysts: 7 (in the last 90 days)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.7
Ratings Breakdown: 15 Buy Ratings, 5 Hold Ratings, 1 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $135.8611 (-5.5% Upside)

Global Payments Inc. provides payment technology and software solutions for card, electronic, check, and digital-based payments. The company operates in three segments: North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. It offers authorization services, settlement and funding services, customer support and help-desk functions, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security services, consolidated billing and statements, and online reporting services. The company also provides an array of enterprise software solutions that streamline business operations of its customers in various vertical markets; and value-added services, such as analytic and engagement tools, as well as payroll services. In addition, it offers credit and debit card transaction processing services for various international card brands, including American Express, Discover Card, JCB, MasterCard, UnionPay International, and Visa; and non-traditional payment methods, as well as certain domestic debit networks, such as Interac in Canada. Further, the company provides e-commerce and omnichannel solutions; and gaming solutions to licensed gaming operators. It serves customers in various industries comprising education, restaurant, event management, hospitality, retail, healthcare, convenience stores and petroleum, professional services, automotive, and lodging. The company markets its products and services through direct sales force, trade associations, agent and enterprise software providers, referral arrangements with value-added resellers, and independent sales organizations in 32 countries of North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and Brazil. Global Payments Inc. was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Recent Recommendations for Global Payments:

• Global Payments Inc (NYSE: GPN) had its price target raised by analysts at SunTrust Banks, Inc. to $155.00. They now have a "buy" rating on the stock. (4/16/2019)
• Global Payments Inc (NYSE: GPN) was downgraded by analysts at Atlantic Securities from an "overweight" rating to a "neutral" rating. They now have a $133.36 price target on the stock. (3/21/2019)
• Global Payments Inc (NYSE: GPN) had its price target raised by analysts at Wedbush from $135.00 to $144.00. They now have an "outperform" rating on the stock. (3/13/2019)
• Global Payments Inc (NYSE: GPN) had its price target raised by analysts at Barclays PLC from $133.00 to $145.00. They now have an "overweight" rating on the stock. (2/19/2019)
• Global Payments Inc (NYSE: GPN) had its price target raised by analysts at Piper Jaffray Companies to $152.00. They now have an "overweight" rating on the stock. (2/14/2019)
• Global Payments Inc (NYSE: GPN) had its price target raised by analysts at KeyCorp from $130.00 to $135.00. They now have an "overweight" rating on the stock. (2/14/2019)
• Global Payments Inc (NYSE: GPN) had its price target raised by analysts at Mizuho to $136.00. They now have a "buy" rating on the stock. (2/14/2019)

#7 - Splunk (NASDAQ:SPLK)

Upgrades from Top-Ranked Analysts: 7 (in the last 90 days)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.8
Ratings Breakdown: 24 Buy Ratings, 5 Hold Ratings, 1 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $145.2517 (8.7% Upside)

Splunk Inc. provides software solutions that enable organizations to gain real-time operational intelligence in the United States and internationally. Its products enable users to investigate, monitor, analyze, and act on data regardless of format or source. The company offers Splunk Enterprise, a machine data platform with collection, indexing, search, reporting, analysis, alerting, monitoring, and data management capabilities; Splunk Cloud; and Splunk Light, which offers log search and analysis for small IT environments. It also provides Splunk Enterprise Security that addresses security threats and information, and event management; Splunk IT Service Intelligence, which monitors health and key performance indicators of critical IT and business services; Splunk User Behavior Analytics that detects cyber-attacks and insider threats; Splunk Phantom that automates and orchestrates incident response workflows; Splunk Machine Learning Toolkit; Splunk App for AWS that collects and analyzes data from amazon web services data sources; Splunk DB Connect to get business and enterprise context; and Cisco Firepower App for Splunk. Further, the company operates Splunkbase and Splunk Answers Websites, which provide an environment to share apps, collaborate on the use of its software, and provide community-based support and education, as well as offers application programming interfaces and software development kits. Additionally, it offers maintenance and customer support, training, and consulting and implementation services. The company serves cloud and online services, education, financial services, government, healthcare/pharmaceuticals, industrials/manufacturing, media/entertainment, retail/e-commerce, technology, and telecommunications industries. Splunk Inc. was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Recent Recommendations for Splunk:

• Splunk Inc (NASDAQ: SPLK) is now covered by analysts at Mizuho. They set a "buy" rating and a $150.00 price target on the stock. (3/13/2019)
• Splunk Inc (NASDAQ: SPLK) had its price target raised by analysts at Argus to $156.00. They now have a "buy" rating on the stock. (3/8/2019)
• Splunk Inc (NASDAQ: SPLK) had its price target raised by analysts at Citigroup Inc from $98.00 to $112.00. They now have a "sell" rating on the stock. (3/1/2019)
• Splunk Inc (NASDAQ: SPLK) had its price target raised by analysts at Barclays PLC from $154.00 to $158.00. They now have an "overweight" rating on the stock. (3/1/2019)
• Splunk Inc (NASDAQ: SPLK) had its price target raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Co from $145.00 to $165.00. They now have an "outperform" rating on the stock. (3/1/2019)
• Splunk Inc (NASDAQ: SPLK) had its price target raised by analysts at Credit Suisse Group AG from $130.00 to $160.00. They now have an "outperform" rating on the stock. (3/1/2019)
• Splunk Inc (NASDAQ: SPLK) had its price target raised by analysts at Wedbush from $146.00 to $159.00. They now have an "outperform" rating on the stock. (3/1/2019)