Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) and Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) were two of the most popular stocks among retail investors last year as measured by net inflows. But most Wall Street analysts expect both stocks to decline this year.
-
Among the 23 analysts who follow Palantir, the median target price of $39 per share implies 62% downside from the current price of $102. Brent Thill at Jefferies is particularly bearish. He has a sell rating, and his target price of $28 implies 73% downside.
-
Among the 52 analysts who follow Tesla, the median target price of $278 implies 29% downside from the current share price of $390. Ryan Brinkman at JPMorgan Chase is particularly bearish. He has a sell rating, and his target price of $135 implies 65% downside.
Read on to learn more about Palantir and Tesla.
Palantir is a data analytics company recognized by Forrester Research as the technology leader in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) software.
Palantir reported exceptional fourth-quarter results, beating estimates on the top and bottom lines. Sales increased 36% to $828 million, the sixth consecutive sequential acceleration, and adjusted net income surged 75% to $0.14 per diluted share.
CEO Alex Karp said, “Our business results continue to astound, demonstrating our deepening position at the center of the AI revolution.” But most Wall Street analysts remain skeptical. The consensus estimate calls for adjusted earnings to increase 17% in the next four quarters, which makes the current valuation of 248 times earnings look absurd. Brent Thill at Jefferies recently wrote that Palantir “is the most expensive software name.”
However, the company has also converted some pessimists into believers. Morningstar recently raised its target price to $90, up from $21 in November 2024. Its analyst Mike Giarelli wrote, “Palantir’s outstanding fourth-quarter results, rapid growth amid the artificial intelligence arms race, and strategic positioning in the AI-value chain further solidify our base-case expectations that this company can be the next software juggernaut.”
The International Data Corporation, a market researcher, estimates AI platform spending will increase by 41% annually through 2028. That means Palantir has compelling growth prospects.
But investors should be cautious with the stock at its current valuation. While I believe Palantir will be worth more in the future, perhaps much more, any bad news could trigger a sharp decline. Having said that, I doubt shares will fall 73%.