Palantir Technologies Inc. has been a standout performer in 2025, with its share price surging an impressive 135 percent. This meteoric rise, however, has sparked significant caution among market analysts, who argue the stock’s valuation appears disconnected from its underlying business fundamentals. A survey reveals that of 25 covering analysts, a mere four currently recommend buying the shares, with the average price target sitting barely above the current trading level. This growing skepticism centers on one primary concern.
Stretched Multiples Raise Eyebrows
The central issue for experts is Palantir’s extreme valuation. Commanding a market capitalization of approximately $423 billion, the data analytics firm trades at multiples that are extraordinary, even within the high-flying technology sector. Its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, based on the last twelve months, stands at roughly 386. Looking forward, the forward P/E ratio remains elevated, estimated between 182 and 191.
To contextualize these figures, established enterprise software giant SAP SE trades at a forward P/E of just under 29. Palantir’s PEG ratio—a metric that relates valuation to earnings growth—is also significantly higher at 4.23, compared to SAP’s 1.0. Notably, even industry titan Nvidia Corporation, despite its dominance in the AI chip market, carries a forward P/E of only about 24.
This stark discrepancy is reflected in analyst sentiment. Research from S&P Global indicates a majority on Wall Street have grown cautious on Palantir. The consensus price target is near $175, marginally below recent prices. In contrast, analysts see roughly 40 percent upside potential for SAP shares.
Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Palantir?
Institutional and Insider Activity Sends Mixed Signals
As the analyst community expresses restraint, institutional investor behavior presents a divided picture. Washington Trust Bank increased its stake by 8.9 percent in the third quarter, bringing its holdings to nearly 100,000 shares. Similarly, the New York State Teachers Retirement System expanded its position by five percent, owning over 1.86 million shares.
Conversely, Forum Financial Management slashed its holdings by more than 70 percent during the same period. Meanwhile, company insiders have been net sellers, offloading shares worth about $167 million over the past three months. CEO Alexander Karp and Director Stephen Cohen both disposed of substantial blocks of stock on November 20. Insiders now hold only about 9.23 percent of the company’s total shares.
Robust Execution Meets Sky-High Expectations
Operationally, Palantir’s business continues to demonstrate remarkable strength. For the third quarter of 2025, revenue jumped 62.8 percent year-over-year to $1.18 billion. Earnings per share came in at $0.21, soundly beating the consensus estimate of $0.17. The company’s “Rule of 40” score—which combines growth and profitability metrics—reached an impressive 114 percent.
The critical question now facing investors is how much of this future growth is already priced into the stock. With a forward P/E hovering around 182, the market appears to be pricing in near-perfect execution for years to come. Any stumble or disappointment could place severe pressure on its valuation. The coming quarterly results will be pivotal in determining whether Palantir can justify its premium or if a market correction is imminent.
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