Palantir Technologies (NYSE: PLTR) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) have both profited from the rapid expansion of the artificial intelligence (AI) market. Palantir aggregates large amounts of data from disparate sources to help its clients make faster decisions,

Will Ebiefung has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Palantir Technologies (PLTR) and SoundHound (SOUN) stocks have delivered jaw-dropping returns in 2024. PLTR stock has surged about 242% year-to-date, and SoundHound has outpaced it with a staggering 258% gain.

Despite the strong outlook for the industry, Wall Street analysts only expect one of these enterprise-software leaders to keep climbing higher over the next 12 months. Palantir has a median-price target of $38 per share, based on the estimates of 22 analysts. That implies a downside of 30% from its share price, as of this writing.

Palantir 's (NYSE: PLTR) stock hit a record high of $51.13 on Nov. 5. Its 223% year-to-date rally was driven by its accelerating revenue growth, soaring profits, and its inclusion in the S&P 500. The buying frenzy in AI stocks,