The stocks in this article have caught Wall Street’s attention in a big way, with price targets implying returns above 20%. But investors should take these forecasts with a grain of salt because analysts typically say nice things about companies so their firms can win business in other product lines like M&A advisory.

Unlike the investment banks, we created StockStory to provide independent analysis that helps you determine which companies are truly worth following. That said, here are three stocks where Wall Street’s estimates seem disconnected from reality and some better opportunities to consider.

nLIGHT (LASR)

Consensus Price Target: $88.86 (68.8% implied return)

Founded by a former CEO and Harvard-educated entrepreneur Scott Keeneyn, nLIGHT (NASDAQ: LASR) offers semiconductor and fiber lasers to the industrial, aerospace & defense, and medical sectors.

Why Are We Cautious About LASR?

1. 3.8% annual revenue growth over the last five years was slower than its industrials peers
2. Historical operating margin losses point to an inefficient cost structure
3. Negative free cash flow raises questions about the return timeline for its investments

nLIGHT’s stock price of $52.64 implies a valuation ratio of 131.1x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including LASR in your portfolio.

Bark (BARK)

Consensus Price Target: $15.50 (52% implied return)

Making a name for itself with the BarkBox, Bark (NYSE: BARK) specializes in subscription-based, personalized pet products.

Why Do We Steer Clear of BARK?

1. Products and services aren’t resonating with the market as its revenue declined by 2.5% annually over the last five years
2. Cash-burning tendencies make us wonder if it can sustainably generate shareholder value
3. Limited cash reserves may force the company to seek unfavorable financing terms that could dilute shareholders

Bark is trading at $10.20 per share, or 11.5x forward EV-to-EBITDA. To fully understand why you should be careful with BARK, check out our full research report (it’s free).

HighPeak Energy (HPK)

Consensus Price Target: $10 (34.4% implied return)

Operating in the oil-rich northeastern corner of the Midland Basin where Howard and Borden counties meet, HighPeak Energy (NASDAQ: HPK) explores for, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas.

Why Do We Think Twice About HPK?

1. Subscale operations are evident in its revenue base of $893.8 million, meaning it has fewer distribution channels than its larger rivals
2. Costs have risen faster than its revenue over the last five years, causing its EBITDA margin to decline by 18.5 percentage points
3. Cash-burning history makes us doubt the long-term viability of its business model

At $7.44 per share, HighPeak Energy trades at 3.8x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why HPK doesn’t pass our bar.

Stocks We Like More

ALSO WORTH WATCHING: Top 5 Momentum Stocks. The best time to own a great stock is when the market is finally noticing it. These aren’t just high-quality businesses. Something is happening with them right now. Elite fundamentals meet near-term momentum — both boxes checked at the same time.

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Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,460% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+271% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.