Analyst Ratings February 4, 2026

Baird Elevates GE Vernova to Outperform, Boosts Price Target to $923 on Early Energy Cycle Thesis

Broker cites improving checks on gas power supply-demand balance and positions GE Vernova as a major beneficiary of an emerging energy infrastructure upswing

By Jordan Park GEV
Baird Elevates GE Vernova to Outperform, Boosts Price Target to $923 on Early Energy Cycle Thesis
GEV

Baird upgraded GE Vernova (GEV) from Neutral to Outperform and lifted its price target to $923 from $701, citing confidence that the energy infrastructure cycle is in its early stages and that GE Vernova stands to gain materially. The firm left its earnings estimates unchanged while increasing the target by $222. The move follows stronger company results and a strategic alliance with Xcel Energy, and comes amid a separate price-target raise by Mizuho.

Key Points

  • Baird upgraded GE Vernova from Neutral to Outperform and raised its price target to $923 from $701, reflecting confidence in an early-stage energy infrastructure cycle.
  • GE Vernova delivered strong Q4 2025 results, with EPS of $13.39 versus a $3.22 forecast and revenue of $11 billion versus $10.23 billion expected, supporting analyst optimism.
  • The company entered a strategic alliance with Xcel Energy covering turbine reservations and wind capacity, and Mizuho increased its price target to $714 while keeping a Neutral rating.

Baird raised its recommendation on GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) from Neutral to Outperform on Wednesday, alongside a substantial increase to its price target, now set at $923, up from $701.

The upgrade arrives about one month after Baird had downgraded the stock to Neutral. In explaining the reversal, Baird said it now views the energy infrastructure cycle as being in the early stages and identifies GE Vernova as "one of the biggest beneficiaries" of that trend.

Previously, Baird had flagged potential overcapacity risks in the gas power market after competitors made announcements that suggested additional supply. The firm said recent field checks have eased those overcapacity concerns for the near to intermediate term, prompting the more constructive stance.

Despite the rating change and the elevated price target - a $222 increase - Baird did not alter its earnings estimates for GE Vernova. The firm attributed the target lift to its renewed conviction around the company’s positioning within the energy infrastructure cycle rather than to adjustments in near-term earnings projections.

GE Vernova reported robust fourth-quarter 2025 results that align with the favorable tone from analysts. The company posted earnings per share of $13.39, well above the forecasted $3.22. Revenue for the quarter came in at $11 billion, exceeding the expected $10.23 billion.

Alongside the quarterly beat, GE Vernova has formalized a strategic alliance with Xcel Energy to cooperate on generation and grid projects that extend into the 2030s. The agreement includes a reservation for five F-class gas turbines and a capacity reservation arrangement covering multiple gigawatts of wind projects.

Another brokerage, Mizuho, also revised its valuation for GE Vernova upward, increasing its price target to $714 from $660, an 8 percent raise, while leaving its rating at Neutral. Mizuho’s revised valuation reflects anticipated expansions in gas turbine capacity and growth in service revenue.

The combination of Baird’s upgrade and Mizuho’s higher price target underscores investor and analyst attention on GE Vernova’s role in power generation equipment and services as energy infrastructure investments evolve.


Analyst action and company developments in focus:

  • Baird upgraded GEV to Outperform and raised its price target to $923 from $701.
  • Baird maintained earnings estimates while increasing the price target by $222.
  • GE Vernova reported Q4 2025 EPS of $13.39 against a $3.22 forecast and revenue of $11 billion versus $10.23 billion expected.
  • GE Vernova entered a strategic alliance with Xcel Energy, including reservations for five F-class gas turbines and multiple gigawatts of wind capacity.
  • Mizuho raised its price target to $714 from $660 while keeping a Neutral rating.

Risks

  • Concerns about overcapacity in the gas power market were a prior catalyst for analyst caution; while recent checks have eased those concerns in the near to intermediate term, overcapacity risk remains a factor for the power equipment sector.
  • Analyst price-target revisions do not reflect changes to Baird’s earnings estimates, indicating valuation shifts are driven by cycle outlook rather than updated near-term earnings visibility.
  • Differing analyst stances remain in the market - for example, Mizuho raised its price target but maintained a Neutral rating - underscoring ongoing uncertainty in consensus sentiment within energy and industrial sectors.

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