For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 1, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Microsoft Corp. MSFT, Intel Corp. INTC, Bank of America Corp. BAC, AMREP Corp. AXR and United Bancorp, Inc. UBCP.
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Stock Picks for the Week of Aug. 31, 2026
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Microsoft Corp., Intel Corp. and Bank of America Corp., as well as two micro-cap stocks AMREP Corp. and United Bancorp, Inc.. The Zacks microcap research is unique as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country.
These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can see all of today's research reports here >>>
Today's Featured Research Reports
Microsoft's shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Software industry over the past year (+1.4% vs. -6.2%). The company capitalizes on AI business momentum and Copilot adoption alongside accelerating Azure cloud infrastructure expansion. Strong Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud demand has been propelling Productivity and Business Processes revenue growth.
ARPU is increasing through E5 and M365 Copilot uptake across key segments. Strategic execution through expanding scale and enterprise customer growth is driving non-AI services. Azure and other cloud services revenue grew 43% at cc in fiscal Q4, with customer demand continuing to exceed available capacity.
Customer concentration risk remains tied to large OpenAI-related Azure commitments. Microsoft confronts intense competition from AWS and Google Cloud and escalating regulatory scrutiny. Capacity constraints persisting into fiscal 2027 limit revenue potential despite record capital spending.
(You can read the full research report on Microsoft here >>>)
Shares of Intel have outperformed the Zacks Semiconductor - General industry over the past year (+273.8% vs. +29.7%). The company's manufacturing recovery and broader AI roadmap support a more balanced long-term growth profile across client, data center and foundry markets. Diamond Rapids, Crescent Island and Wildcat Lake extend its agentic AI portfolio from enterprise systems to edge devices, while Intel 18A and advanced packaging deepen platform integration.
Xeon adoption, AI PC momentum and purpose-built silicon also broaden customer engagement. However, supply constraints and higher memory costs may limit near-term demand conversion. Competition across CPUs, GPUs and custom silicon remains intense, while foundry adoption still depends on execution.
Heavy capital needs constrain financial flexibility, while China-related geopolitical risks reduce revenue visibility. The broader roadmap adds opportunity while keeping execution central.
(You can read the full research report on Intel here >>>)
Bank of America's shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry over the past year (+25.4% vs. +24.4%). The company's earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. Net interest income (NII) growth is expected to continue in the near term supported by steady loan growth amid a higher-for-longer rate environment.
Bank of America's expansion strategy by opening financial branches will boost the top line. Along with this, investments in digital capabilities will enhance client engagement and cross-selling opportunities, likely driving fee income.
However, elevated expenses due to investments in technology and franchise expansion will likely hurt the bottom line to an extent. The volatile nature of the capital markets business makes growth in trading revenues uncertain. Weak asset quality is another concern, which might hamper financials.
(You can read the full research report on Bank of America here >>>)
Shares of AMREP have outperformed the Zacks Real Estate - Development industry over the past year (+9.7% vs. -24.2%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $122.90 million sees its investment case supported by growing homebuilding, a sizable land bank and strong liquidity, providing flexibility to adjust development and construction as market conditions evolve. Opportunistic rentals and land monetization further broaden its real estate strategy.
However, housing affordability pressures, slower development activity and limited homebuilding visibility remain concerns. Land sales can be volatile and rely on a concentrated customer base, while rising administrative and construction costs may pressure profitability. Geographic concentration heightens sensitivity to local housing conditions.
The valuation appears reasonable, with certain measures indicating attractive positioning while others suggest a balanced outlook. Execution, housing demand and land monetization remain key to realizing the value embedded in AXR's asset base.
(You can read the full research report on AMREP here >>>)
United Bancorp's shares have outperformed the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry over the past year (+17.2% vs. +2.3%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $90.11 million has seen its net interest margin expand 17 basis points to 3.82% in the first half of 2026, aided by higher earning-asset yields and lower funding costs, while deposits rose 6.8%, strengthening the funding mix and reducing reliance on wholesale borrowings.
Its Wheeling, WV banking center is also contributing to deposit growth and could provide a meaningful growth platform as recent infrastructure investments mature. Earnings increased despite expansion-related spending, while solid capital level and a higher dividend support shareholder returns.
However, credit quality has weakened, with nonperforming loans rising to $6.4 million, largely due to one commercial relationship, while significant commercial real estate exposure heightens concentration risk. Expense growth and modest loan expansion could also limit operating leverage. Shares trade above the sub-industry on price/earnings.
(You can read the full research report on United Bancorp here >>>)
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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Bank of America Corporation (BAC): Free Stock Analysis Report
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United Bancorp, Inc. (UBCP): Free Stock Analysis Report
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