Analyst Ratings February 13, 2026

Freedom Capital Markets Moves Palantir to Buy, Citing AIP-Driven Momentum

Upgrade follows a stronger-than-expected Q4 2025 and management's confident 2026 outlook as AIP converts pilots into large contracts

By Ajmal Hussain PLTR
Freedom Capital Markets Moves Palantir to Buy, Citing AIP-Driven Momentum
PLTR

Freedom Capital Markets raised its rating on Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) from Sell to Buy and kept a $170 price target after the company reported Q4 2025 results that beat guidance and analyst estimates. The research firm highlighted the company’s Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) as the primary driver of renewed U.S. commercial and government sales, while noting ongoing international adoption challenges. Several other banks and developments, including a renewed Airbus agreement and analyst target changes, accompanied the move.

Key Points

  • Freedom Capital Markets upgraded Palantir from Sell to Buy and kept a $170 price target after Q4 2025 results beat guidance and estimates.
  • The company’s Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) is cited as the primary driver of accelerated U.S. commercial and government sales, converting pilots into larger contracts.
  • Management issued stronger-than-expected guidance for Q1 2026 and full-year 2026; Freedom Capital Markets raised its 2026-2027 revenue forecasts accordingly.

Freedom Capital Markets upgraded Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) from Sell to Buy on Friday and reiterated a price objective of $170.00.

The firm pointed to Palantir’s Q4 2025 results as the catalyst for the rating change. The quarter outperformed management guidance and analyst estimates, with particularly strong acceleration in the U.S. commercial and government segments. According to Freedom Capital Markets, the company’s Artificial Intelligence Platform - AIP - is at the center of that momentum, helping to accelerate sales cycles and move pilot projects into larger, enterprise-level contracts.

Operationally, Palantir showed signs of improved execution. The company expanded both gross and operating margins in the period, delivering profitability metrics that exceeded market expectations. That improvement was a key factor in Freedom Capital Markets’ decision to lift its view on the shares.

However, the research note emphasized a continued weakness overseas. Palantir’s international business remains constrained by structural adoption issues and procurement hurdles, which the firm said are limiting growth outside the U.S.

Management presented an upbeat outlook for Q1 2026 and for the full year 2026 that topped consensus estimates, signaling management’s confidence in what they framed as durable, structural demand for AI infrastructure. In response, Freedom Capital Markets raised its revenue forecasts for 2026 and 2027.

The research house also described the recent sharp pullback in Palantir’s share price as appearing unjustified in light of the company’s ongoing hypergrowth and the underlying strength of AIP.


Other developments noted alongside the upgrade:

  • Palantir extended a multi-year agreement with Airbus to continue supplying technology for the Skywise platform, supporting Airbus’s civil aviation data platform intended to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
  • Deutsche Bank raised its price target on Palantir from $160 to $200 but kept a Hold rating, citing lingering valuation concerns.
  • DA Davidson maintained a Neutral rating on the stock. That affirmation came amid public criticism from Michael Burry in a newsletter that questioned aspects of the AI sector and highlighted issues such as data center depreciation and high valuations for AI companies.
  • Palantir is reportedly exploring options to expand its Manhattan office footprint; the company currently leases approximately 202,146 square feet in the area.

The collection of analyst moves, the extended Airbus collaboration, and management’s forward guidance together framed Freedom Capital Markets’ decision to upgrade the rating and lift revenue projections for the next two years.

Risks

  • International growth remains hampered by structural adoption and procurement barriers, which could limit revenue expansion outside the U.S. - affects global enterprise software and government contracts.
  • Valuation concerns persist among some analysts despite target increases, indicating potential market sensitivity to earnings and growth execution - impacts equity investors in tech and AI stocks.
  • Public criticism of the AI sector and issues such as data center depreciation highlighted in external commentary may weigh on sentiment and create volatility - relevant to infrastructure and cloud service providers.

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