10 Consumer Defensive Stocks With More Than 50% Upside

3. Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN)

Analyst Upside: 78.44%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 41

Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN) is one of the best consumer defensive stocks with more than 50% upside. On October 29, Morgan Stanley slashed the price target on Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN) to $130 from $159 while keeping an Equal Weight rating on the shares.

The rating update came after Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN) reported its fiscal Q1 2026 results on October 28, and the firm told investors that while the company’s results showed a relatively in-line quarter, it expects its enrollment throughout the 2025-2026 school year to be disrupted by headwinds. Morgan Stanley thus lowered its fiscal year 26 revenue and adjusted operating income estimates by 7% and 12%, respectively.

Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN) reported $620.9 million in revenue in fiscal Q1 2026, while income from operations reached $69.0 million. Net income for the quarter was $68.8 million, compared with $40.9 million in 2025. Adjusted EBITDA reached $108.4 million, and adjusted earnings per share was $1.52, compared with $1.09 the previous year.

Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN) provides an educational platform to deliver online learning to students across the US. It offers various services, including professional skills training, K-12 education, career learning, and talent development.