Monday, August 24, 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 Amgen Inc. (AMGN), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) and PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP), as well as two micro-cap stocks C&F Financial Corp. (CFFI) and Acorn Energy, Inc. (ACFN). 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 >>>
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You can read today's AWS here >>> Focus on Mid-Week: NVIDIA Earnings, PCE Report
Today's Featured Research Reports
Amgen’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry over the year-to-date period (+37% vs. +12.1%). The company beat second-quarter estimates for both earnings and sales. Key medicines like Evenity, Repatha and Uplizna, as well as newer medicines like Imdelltra, Tavneos and Tezspire, are driving sales, more than offsetting declining revenues from oncology biosimilars and mature products like Enbrel.
New biosimilar launches are also contributing to top-line growth. Furthermore, Amgen has several key pipeline assets, with a primary focus on the obesity candidate, MariTide.
However, price declines and increased competition are hurting sales of some products. Sales of best-selling drugs, Prolia and Xgeva, are declining sharply in 2026 due to biosimilar launches. Recent pipeline setbacks and the upcoming LOE cliff are concerns.
(You can read the full research report on Amgen here >>>)
Shares of Thermo Fisher have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Instruments industry over the year-to-date period (+8.8% vs. -6.3%). The company is gaining from improving customer activity across all end markets, continued share gains and disciplined execution of its growth strategy. Pharma and biotech demand is advancing, led by bioproduction, clinical research and the research and safety channel.
Clario and the filtration and separation business are bolstering the company’s capabilities and supporting revenue synergies. New products, AI-enabled workflows and expanded customer collaboration centers reinforce its competitive position. Management raised its 2026 revenue and adjusted EPS outlook after better-than-expected second-quarter results.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects 2026 EPS of $25.12 on revenues of $47.80 billion. Still, macroeconomic uncertainty, currency volatility, acquisition-related leverage and intense competition remain key risks.
(You can read the full research report on Thermo Fisher here >>>)
PepsiCo’s shares have gained +2% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Beverages - Soft drinks industry’s gain of +20.3%. The company is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, supported by a diversified portfolio of category-leading brands, broad global distribution and cash generation.
PepsiCo continues to benefit from robust international growth, expanding global volume trends, sustained product innovation and productivity initiatives that support long-term earnings potential. Management also reaffirmed its 2026 guidance, reflecting confidence in the business despite a challenging operating environment.
However, North American demand remains soft, pricing power is moderating, affordability investments and higher input costs continue to pressure margins, and earnings are expected to be weighted toward the fourth quarter of 2026, increasing execution risk. These balanced opportunities and challenges support PEP’s investment view.
(You can read the full research report on PepsiCo here >>>)
Shares of C&F Financial have outperformed the Zacks Banks - Southeast industry over the year-to-date period (+18.6% vs. +14.6%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $276.20 million has a diversified community banking, mortgage and consumer finance model which supports earnings stability. Loan growth, easing deposit costs and a higher-yielding securities portfolio are strengthening spread income, while mortgage activity broadens fee revenues.
Strong capital and liquidity support expansion and shareholder returns. Growth in western Virginia and a shift toward stronger consumer borrowers may aid longer-term performance. However, loan growth is outpacing deposit growth, increasing reliance on costly borrowings, while falling rates could pressure margins.
Consumer finance faces elevated credit costs and portfolio runoff. Commercial real estate concentration heightens sensitivity to property weakness, and expansion expenses may limit operating leverage if new markets mature slowly. External shocks could also weaken credit demand and borrower health.
(You can read the full research report on C&F Financial here >>>)
Acorn Energy’s shares have gained +24.6% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry’s gain of +40.6%. This microcap company with a market capitalization of $47.21 million has near-term risks that center on hardware normalization, deployment timing and execution across newer growth channels.
Lower telecom hardware shipments and the run-off of deferred hardware revenue could keep growth volatile, while OMNI360 remains pre-revenue and the Champion partnership provides limited visibility. Customer concentration, installation delays and revenue-mix shifts may also constrain operating leverage. However, the expanding high-margin monitoring base strengthens recurring revenues and visibility as endpoints and renewals grow.
Telecom renewals, Champion, OMNI360, OEM opportunities and product modernization provide multiple avenues for expansion, supported by a debt-free balance sheet and positive cash flow. The valuation appears modest, offering potential upside if recurring revenue growth and commercialization efforts gain traction.
(You can read the full research report on Acorn Energy here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG) and Sempra (SRE).
Mark Vickery
Senior Editor
Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>
Today's Must Read
Amgen (AMGN) Key & New Drugs Driving Sales Amid LOE Concerns
End-Market Strength, Clario Buyout Aid Thermo Fisher (TMO)
PepsiCo (PEP) Gains From Global Growth and Productivity Efforts
Featured Reports
Analog Devices (ADI) Rides on AI Data Center Demand
Per the Zacks analyst, strong AI-related data center demand, higher utilization and favorable product mix are driving Analog Devices' growth momentum.
Improving Fees and Commissions Aid Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG)
Per the Zacks analyst, Arthur J. Gallagher is poised to grow on improving fees and commissions that in turn is driving organic revenues growth. However, rising expenses weighing on margin concerns.
Utility Investments and LNG Expansion Drive Growth at Sempra (SRE)
Per the Zacks analyst, Sempra's utility investments and LNG progress should support growth through 2030. Renewable gains and disciplined spending will aid shareholder returns.
Celestica (CLS) Rides on Strong Demand for AI Networking Products
Per the Zacks analyst, strong demand for 800G and next-gen 1.6T AI networking products is likely to drive Celestica's top line. Growing AI infrastructure investments remain positive.
Yum China (YUMC) Banks on Unit Expansion, High Costs Ail
Per the Zacks analyst, Yum China is likely to benefit from unit expansion, transaction growth and menu innovation. However, higher rider costs and an uncertain macro environment pose concerns.
Powell (POWL) Gains From Strong Utility & Commercial Markets
Per the Zacks analyst, solid momentum across Powell's electric utility and commercial & other industrial markets, fueled by strong orders and healthy levels of project activity, will lend it momentum.
Highwoods Properties (HIW) Gains From Leasing, Leverage Caps Upside
Per the Zacks analyst, Highwoods Properties benefits from Sun Belt demand, lease gains and strong liquidity. However, office competition, disposition dilution and elevated leverage can curb the upside
New Upgrades
PBF Energy (PBF) To Gain From Higher Refinery Utilization
Per the Zacks analyst, PBF Energy is poised to gain from rising refinery utilization as restored Martinez operations and higher planned throughput strengthen production capability across its network.
Expansion Strategies, Decent Liquidity Aid Federated (FHI) Growth
Per the Zacks Analyst, focus on acquiring money market assets will keep aiding Federated's asset under management growth. Decent liquidity position aid capital distribution plan.
Carter's (CRI) Gains from Strong Retail, Global Momentum
Per the Zacks analyst, Carter's is benefiting from solid U.S. Retail trends, strong Mexico growth and improving international profitability, further strengthening its overall operating momentum.
New Downgrades
Gas Price Volatility & Rising Costs to Hurt Comstock Resources (CRK)
Per the Zacks analyst, Comstock's exposure to gas price volatility limits earnings and cash flow visibility. Further, cost risks associated with the Western Haynesville development raise concerns.
Fewer Customers, Partnerships End, Rising Costs Hurt Green Dot (GDOT)
Per the Zacks analyst, consumer softness, heavy dependence on partners and increasing compliance and operating costs are making GDOT shares less attractive to investors.
Bio-Techne (TECH) Muted Growth and Pending Merck Deal Limit Upside
The Zacks analyst is concerned about Bio-Techne's muted Protein Science growth, selective customer spending and margin pressure, while the pending Merck deal limits further upside.
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. AI’s second wave is moving from infrastructure to implementation and these companies are at the forefront of this transition, positioned to become what Amazon and Google were to the internet era.
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Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI): Free Stock Analysis Report
Sempra (SRE): Free Stock Analysis Report
Amgen Inc. (AMGN): Free Stock Analysis Report
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO): Free Stock Analysis Report
PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP): Free Stock Analysis Report
Acorn Energy Inc. (ACFN): Free Stock Analysis Report
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG): Free Stock Analysis Report
C&F Financial Corporation (CFFI): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).