Palantir Technologies (PLTR), the big data analytics company, presents a fascinating case study in navigating political division while achieving remarkable financial success. Despite starkly contrasting political views between its founders, Peter Thiel and CEO Alex Karp, the company’s stock performance has soared, leaving investors and analysts intrigued.
Table Content:
While Karp openly supported then-Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, Thiel publicly embraced Donald Trump. This difference in opinion, as Karp acknowledged, created internal challenges. However, it didn’t hinder Palantir’s stock from becoming the S&P 500’s top performer in 2024, with an astounding 340.5% increase. The company celebrated its inclusion in the S&P 500 with a patriotic post on X (formerly Twitter).
Karp attributed the company’s exceptional performance to the “unrelenting AI demand.” This assessment is echoed by leading analysts. Wedbush, for example, included Palantir in its list of “10 Tech Winners for the AI Revolution” in 2025, alongside industry giants like Nvidia (NVDA), Microsoft (MSFT), and Salesforce (CRM). The firm even bestowed upon Palantir the moniker “Messi of AI,” a comparison to the legendary Argentinian soccer player Lionel Messi.
Palantir: Poised to Become the Next Oracle?
Wedbush analysts predict a significant rise in AI spending within IT budgets in 2025. They believe Palantir, with its comprehensive suite of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) solutions, is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this trend. The company’s ability to address complex problems across diverse industries through data-driven decision-making is expected to fuel its continued growth. Furthermore, the analysts see Palantir evolving into a major player in the AI software era, potentially rivaling even established giants like Oracle (ORCL) in the coming decade. This bold prediction highlights the growing confidence in Palantir’s long-term potential. The company’s Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) empowers organizations to develop and deploy AI applications, further solidifying its position in the market.
While the U.S. government remains Palantir’s largest client, the company showcased its AI capabilities in a lighthearted holiday-themed X post, depicting an AI-powered Santa’s workshop. This demonstration highlighted the versatility of Palantir’s technology and its potential applications beyond government and defense sectors.
Veteran Trader Doubles Down on Palantir
Seasoned trader Stephen Guilfoyle, known as “Sarge,” solidified his bullish stance on Palantir by naming it his top stock pick for 2025 for the second consecutive year. Guilfoyle, whose career spans back to the New York Stock Exchange floor in the 1980s, attributes his confidence to Palantir’s consistent deal flow, particularly with the federal government in the area of national security. He also emphasizes the company’s rapid growth in the corporate sector.
Guilfoyle believes Palantir has effectively monetized the burgeoning generative AI revolution, setting it apart from many other software companies. He views the big-data-focused AI revolution as the next industrial revolution and sees Palantir at the forefront. While acknowledging the hype surrounding quantum computing, Guilfoyle believes its significant impact will be felt later, around 2026 or 2027.
With a $90 price target on PLTR stock, Guilfoyle considers CEO Alex Karp a brilliant leader, comparing his intellect and leadership style to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. He describes Palantir as a generational investment, one he’s making not just for himself but for his children and grandchildren.
Conclusion: Navigating Uncertainty with AI-Powered Momentum
Palantir’s journey exemplifies how a company can navigate internal political differences while thriving in a dynamic market. The company’s remarkable stock performance, driven by its AI capabilities and strong leadership, positions it as a key player in the ongoing technological revolution. Despite the inherent uncertainties in the market, Palantir’s strategic focus on AI and its impressive track record suggest a promising future. While challenges may arise, Palantir appears well-equipped to continue its upward trajectory, solidifying its position as a leader in the AI-driven future.
