Here are some under-the-radar calls from analysts this week: Nike, Microsoft, Best Buy & more

Published Sat, Jun 20 20208:16 AM EDT

(This story is for CNBC PRO subscribers only.) The coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath have created a unique buying opportunity for a variety of stocks, according to some under-the-radar calls from analysts this week. They include T-Mobile , Nike , Centene , SAIC and Microsoft . Nike The athletic and footwear giant is benefiting from the work-from-home environment due to its superior products and online infrastructure, Guggenheim said. "Nike remains our Best Idea, as we believe it is the premier global consumer franchise positioned to lead the accelerating shift towards increased digitalization," analyst Robert Drbul said. As consumers begin to resume outdoor activities and the pandemic subsides, the firm sees an opportunity for clients to invest in a company with an "industry leading pipeline." "We believe Nike's digital transformation has accelerated and is positioned to exceed its goal of > 30% digital penetration well ahead of FY2023," he said. Nike shares are up 15% this quarter. The company is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter earnings on June 25. T-Mobile With the race to 5G well underway, the wireless carrier is a top idea, Bank of America said. With the wireless carrier's acquisition of Sprint complete and the race to 5G well underway, the company is well-positioned to outperform, the firm said. "We believe T-Mobile will be the first wireless carrier to deploy a 'real' 5G nationwide network," analyst David Barden said in a note. The firm believes the company's acquisition of Sprint gives it the scope and scale needed to take on industry leaders AT & T and Verizon. "We believe its spectrum advantage over its peers will prove positive and could drive incremental subscriber growth and potential upside to estimates," he said. The stock ended the week up 4% and is up 36% year-to-date. Centene Centene is an "unwilling beneficiary" of the coronavirus, Jefferies analyst David Windley said of the company which administers government sponsored managed care like Medicare and Medicaid. ""We believe CNC is well-positioned to benefit from Medicaid enrollment growth due to COVID-19's impact on the economy," he said. The firm also said the company has limited exposure to commercial group insurance which is any kind of insurance that is not maintained by the government. "Thus, as individuals who previously had commercial insurance transition to Medicaid, CNC is a winner," Windley wrote. The company is also a best idea on the firm's franchise picks list. Shares finished the week up 3.6% SAIC, Outperform rating, Cowen "Best small midcap ideas: SAIC A 'Steady Eddie' Cash Flow Play. ... .Strong bookings in Q2 & likely H2 are the catalyst for the stock's valuation reset for a PT of $100. SAIC offers strong cash generation, improving bookings momentum, & negligible recompete exposure; and defense services have below-average COVID-19 risk. Thus, we see a pick-up in organic growth from 0-2.5% in FY18-20 to ~6% in FY22." T-Mobile, Buy rating, Bank of America "We believe T-Mobile will be the first wireless carrier to deploy a 'real' 5G nationwide network. We believe its spectrum advantage over its peers will prove positive and could drive incremental subscriber growth and potential upside to estimates. ... .The premium multiple is due to faster growth, potential synergy realization upside, and the potential to leapfrog the Bells in terms of network capability." Nike, Buy rating, Guggenheim "Nike remains our Best Idea, as we believe it is the premier global consumer franchise positioned to lead the accelerating shift towards increased digitalization. We believe Nike's digital transformation has accelerated and is positioned to exceed its goal of > 30% digital penetration well ahead of FY2023. ... .We remain optimistic about the breadth/quality of NKE's industry-leading pipeline and see continued opportunities for digital only launches." Centene, Buy rating, Jefferies "Managed Care is a beneficiary, but an unwilling beneficiary, of COVID. ... .We believe CNC is well-positioned to benefit from Medicaid enrollment growth due to COVID-19's impact on the economy. The company has limited Commercial Group exposure. Thus, as individuals who previously had Commercial insurance transition to Medicaid, CNC is a winner. Microsoft, Outperform rating, Wedbush "In a nutshell, Nadella & Co. continue to lead a transformational cloud story narrowing the gap vs. Bezos and AWS into 2021, which combined will also have a major ripple impact for well positioned cyber security names protecting this cloud secular shift. ... .We maintain our OUTPERFORM rating and $220 price target with our bull case now $275 reflecting our increased confidence in the transformational cloud story in Redmond. MSFT remains on the Wedbush Best Ideas List.

Pedestrians pass a T-Mobile ad in the New York City subway.

Scott Mlyn | CNBC

(This story is for CNBC PRO subscribers only.)

The coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath have created a unique buying opportunity for a variety of stocks, according to some under-the-radar calls from analysts this week.

They include T-Mobile, Nike, Centene, SAIC and Microsoft.