The Zacks Analyst Blog Salesforce, Qualcomm, Verint, Varonis and S&P Global

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – February 10, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks and ETFs featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include, Salesforce Inc. CRM, Qualcomm Inc. QCOM, Verint Systems Inc. VRNT, Varonis Systems Inc. VRNS and S&P Global Inc. SPGI.Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:5 Big Data Providers to Buy on Lucrative Short-Term Upside PotentialBig Data refers to vast and diverse collections of structured, unstructured and semi-structured data that inundate businesses on a day-to-day basis. It encompasses the volume of information spurred by digital technology advancements, the velocity or speed at which it is created and collected, and the variety or scope of the data points being covered (known as the "three V's" of Big Data). Over the past few years, three additional V's have gained precedence - value, variability and veracity.The big data space focuses on companies that process, store and analyze data, and provide data mining, transformation, visualization and predictive analytics tools. Here, we have selected five such companies — Salesforce Inc., Qualcomm Inc., Verint Systems Inc., Varonis Systems Inc. and S&P Global Inc.Utility of Big DataBig Data is utilized in advanced analytics applications like predictive modeling and machine learning to solve business problems and make informed decisions. The latest high-end digital mobility advancements such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), have resulted in rapidly growing data. Consequently, new big data tools have emerged to collect, process, and analyze data to derive maximum value out of it.Big data offers corporates better decision-making and risk management abilities. It has also increased agility and innovation, making operations more efficient and resulting in improved customer experiences.Buy Five Big Data Stocks With Strong Upside PotentialThese stocks have strong revenue and earnings growth potential for 2025 and have seen positive earnings estimate revisions for the current year in the last 30 days. Each of our picks currently carries either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Salesforce Inc.Zacks Rank #2 Salesforce is benefiting from a robust demand environment as customers are undergoing a major digital transformation. CRM’s sustained focus on aligning products with customer needs is driving the top line. Continued deal wins in the international market are also growth drivers.The buyout of Slack has positioned CRM as a leader in enterprise team collaboration and improved its competitive standing compared to Microsoft Teams.Salesforce’s strategy of continuous expansion of generative AI offerings will help it tap the growing opportunities in the space. Our estimates suggest that CRM’s revenues are expected to witness a CAGR of 8.8% through fiscal 2025-2027.Impressive Short-Term Price Upside for CRM StockSalesforce has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 9% and 11.3%, respectively, for the current year (ending January 2026). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.1% in the last 30 days.The short-term average price target of brokerage firms for the stock represents an increase of 14.3% from the last closing price of $330.81. The brokerage target price is currently in the range of $247-$450. This indicates a maximum upside of 36% and a maximum downside of 25.4%.QUALCOMM Inc.Zacks Rank #2 QUALCOMM is increasingly focusing on the seamless transition from a wireless communications firm for the mobile industry to a connected processor firm for the intelligent edge. With the accelerated rollout of 5G technology, QCOM is benefiting from investments in building a licensing program in mobile.QCOM formed a strategic collaboration with Google to develop Generative AI digital cockpit solutions. QCOM also recently introduced powerful automotive platforms to bolster the in-vehicle digital experience and facilitate automated driving. These initiatives are driving growth in the automotive business. Strength in the Android smartphone market is a tailwind.QUALCOMM’s Cloud AI 100 chip can carry out 227 server queries and manage a net of 3.8 queries per watt. In 2024, QCOM unveiled the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 mobile chip, which supports 30 generative models including image generation and voice assistants. QCOM also launched the AI-capable Snapdragon X Plus laptop processor, which has faster CPU speed using less power.Attractive Short-Term Price Upside for QCOM SharesQUALCOMM has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 8.6% and 9.7%, respectively, for the current year (ending September 2025). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.4% in the last 30 days.The short-term average price target of brokerage firms for the stock represents an increase of 15.6% from the last closing price of $169.32. The brokerage target price is currently in the range of $160-$270. This indicates a maximum upside of 59.5% and a maximum downside of 5.5%.Verint Systems Inc.Zacks Rank #1 Verint Systems provides customer engagement solutions worldwide. VRNT offers forecasting and scheduling, channels and routing, knowledge management, fraud and security solutions, quality and compliance, analytics and insights, real-time assistance, self-services, financial compliance, and voice of consumer solutions.VRNT provides the Verint Open platform designed to help brands increase CX automation across all touchpoints between organizations and customers in the contact center, back office, branch, web sites, and mobile apps. VRNT serves the banking, insurance, public, retail, and telecommunication industries.Robust Short-Term Price Upside for VRNT StockVerint Systems has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 4.6% and 8%, respectively, for the current year (ending January 2026). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 4% in the last 30 days.The short-term average price target of brokerage firms for the stock represents an increase of 37% from the last closing price of $26.12. The brokerage target price is currently in the range of $32-$40. This indicates a maximum upside of 53.1% and no downside.Varonis Systems Inc.Zacks Rank #2 Varonis Systems provides an innovative software platform that allows enterprises to map, analyze, manage and migrate their unstructured data in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. VRNS’ products include DatAdvantage, DataPrivilege, IDU Classification Framework, Data Transport Engine and DatAnywhere.VRNS sells its products to small and medium businesses, and large multinational enterprises in financial services, consumer and retail, industrial, healthcare, and energy and utilities industries.Huge Short-Term Price Upside for VRNS SharesVaronis Systems has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 13.2% and 12.9%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 2.9% in the last 30 days.The short-term average price target of brokerage firms for the stock represents an increase of 35.2% from the last closing price of $40.01. The brokerage target price is currently in the range of $46-$70. This indicates a maximum upside of 75% and no downside.S&P Global Inc.Zacks Rank #2 S&P Global remains well-poised to gain from the growing demand for business information services. The constantly increasing volume of data from private and government organizations has augmented the demand for improved enterprise-wide financial performance visibility. Augmented demand for news, information, and analytics solutions will drive the growth of the market. Further, the industry is benefiting from the rising demand for risk mitigation.Buyouts help SPGI innovate, increase differentiated content and develop products. The latest service launches have been aiding SPGI’s growth. Dividend payments and share buybacks boost investors' confidence and positively impact earnings per share. Increasing current ratio is a good sign for SPGI’s liquidity position.Solid Short-Term Price Upside for SPGI StockS&P Global has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 6.2% and 9%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.7% in the last 30 days.The short-term average price target of brokerage firms for the stock represents an increase of 14.8% from the last closing price of $519.06. The brokerage target price is currently in the range of $560-$620. This indicates a maximum upside of 19.2% and no downside.Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Previewreports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.com                                     https://www.zacks.com                                                 Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance  for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Just Released: Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2025Hurry – you can still get in early on our 10 top tickers for 2025. Handpicked by Zacks Director of Research Sheraz Mian, this portfolio has been stunningly and consistently successful. From inception in 2012 through November, 2024, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,112.6%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +475.6%. Sheraz has combed through 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank and handpicked the best 10 to buy and hold in 2025. You can still be among the first to see these just-released stocks with enormous potential. See New Top 10 Stocks >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM): Free Stock Analysis Report Salesforce Inc. (CRM): Free Stock Analysis Report Verint Systems Inc. (VRNT): Free Stock Analysis Report Varonis Systems, Inc. (VRNS): Free Stock Analysis Report S&P Global Inc. (SPGI): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks