Stock Markets February 18, 2026

Mizuho Lifts Palantir to Outperform After Valuation Reset and Strong AI-Driven Momentum

Analysts cite rare mix of rapid revenue growth, accelerating momentum and margin expansion as valuation repricing improves risk/reward

By Caleb Monroe PLTR
Mizuho Lifts Palantir to Outperform After Valuation Reset and Strong AI-Driven Momentum
PLTR

Mizuho upgraded Palantir to Outperform from Neutral, saying a notable valuation reset coupled with accelerating revenue, expanding margins and rising U.S. commercial uptake of its AI platform makes the stock's risk/reward attractive. The firm kept a $195 price target and pointed to a 46% drop in its 2026 estimated EV/FCF multiple in the first six weeks of the year as evidence the market has re-rated the shares.

Key Points

  • Mizuho upgraded Palantir to Outperform from Neutral, citing rapid revenue growth, accelerating momentum, and margin expansion.
  • The bank pointed to a 46% drop in its 2026 estimated EV/FCF valuation multiple in the first six weeks of the year and kept a $195 price target.
  • Strong momentum in the U.S. commercial segment is linked to rising enterprise adoption of Palantir's Artificial Intelligence Platform and internal data integration needs.

Mizuho raised its rating on Palantir on Wednesday, citing what the bank described as an uncommon combination of fast revenue growth, accelerating business momentum, and margin expansion.

In a client note, Mizuho wrote that the company is "in a category of one, delivering total revenue growth, acceleration, and margin expansion at scale that is unlike anything else in software." The firm said these factors together support a more favorable investment profile for the stock.

Previously, Mizuho had expressed caution about the potential for a sharp valuation pullback, warning that the shares could "suddenly be subject to meaningful multiple reversion." The bank now says that the market has already re-rated the stock. It highlighted a 46% decline in its 2026 estimated EV/FCF valuation multiple during the first six weeks of the year as evidence of that repricing.

With that change in mind, Mizuho concluded that "the risk/reward is now attractive," and upgraded Palantir to Outperform from Neutral. The bank also reiterated its $195 price target on the stock.

Analysts at Mizuho pointed to particular strength in Palantir's U.S. commercial business, attributing momentum there to increasing enterprise adoption of its Artificial Intelligence Platform. The note stated the bank is "bullish on a surging US Commercial business fueled by rising enterprise adoption of AIP and growing urgency around internal data integration."

More broadly, Mizuho said it remains confident in the company's positioning to benefit from "long-term trends in AI, government digital transformation, and industrial modernization."


Context and implications

Mizuho's upgrade reflects both operational progress and a material change in valuation expectations as measured by the bank's own EV/FCF multiple for 2026. The firm emphasized U.S. commercial uptake of Palantir's AI offerings and the urgency companies place on integrating internal data as primary drivers of the recent momentum.

The bank's view links revenue and margin performance with a lower implied multiple, concluding the combination produces an improved risk/reward profile sufficient to warrant an Outperform rating while maintaining the prior $195 price target.


Quoted observations from Mizuho

"In a category of one, delivering total revenue growth, acceleration, and margin expansion at scale that is unlike anything else in software."
"The risk/reward is now attractive."
"Bullish on a surging US Commercial business fueled by rising enterprise adoption of AIP and growing urgency around internal data integration."
"More broadly, we remain steadfast in our view that PLTR is increasingly well-positioned to benefit from long-term trends in AI, government digital transformation, and industrial modernization."

Risks

  • Mizuho had previously warned that the shares could "suddenly be subject to meaningful multiple reversion," indicating valuation volatility remains a potential risk - impacts technology and software sectors.
  • The bank's view depends on continued enterprise adoption of Palantir's AI platform; slower-than-expected uptake could undermine the bullish case - impacts enterprise software and cloud services markets.

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