Analysts Split on Energy as Cloud Soars

Analysts made sharp calls across energy and technology on August 4, with Datadog leading the upgrades in cloud.

DDOG saw its consensus target price rise to $274, up from $270. The stock carries a market cap near $89 billion. Analysts remain overwhelmingly bullish, with 42 buys and just one sell in the consensus. The move follows strong momentum in cloud observability spending.

In a contrasting move, The Williams Companies was downgraded by analysts. Its consensus slipped, with the hold count rising from three to four. Target prices edged down to $83.71 from $83.77. The natural gas pipeline giant has an $87 billion market cap.

Energy was not all bearish. Expand Energy received a fresh upgrade, with its target climbing to $126 from $124. The natural gas producer now holds 20 buys in its analyst consensus. Buy ratings rose while holds fell.

Nucor also saw target price lifts, to $283.56 from $280.31. Steel names appear to be benefitting from improved tariff clarity.

Occidental Petroleum drew multiple changes, with one buy rating removed from consensus. Sentiment on the oil producer remains mixed heading into the second half of 2026.