Monday, August 10, 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 Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST), Chevron Corp. (CVX) and The Home Depot, Inc. (HD), as well as two micro-cap stocks IDT Corp. (IDT) and Waterstone Financial, Inc. (WSBF). 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.
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You can read today's AWS here >>> Trading Week Awaits Inflation Reports Starting Wednesday
Today's Featured Research Reports
Shares of Costco have gained +10.4% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Retail - Discount Stores industry’s gain of +14.8%. The company remains well-positioned due to its differentiated membership-based warehouse model, strong value proposition and loyal customer base. It continues to benefit from recurring membership income, high renewal rates and growing engagement from higher-value members. Its focus on offering quality merchandise at competitive prices supports steady traffic and reinforces customer loyalty.Â
Costco is also enhancing its digital ecosystem through e-commerce, personalization tools, AI-driven product discovery and convenient fulfillment options, helping improve the member experience.Â
Also, the company is expanding its warehouse footprint and investing in productivity-enhancing initiatives to support long-term growth. Backed by a strong balance sheet, Costco is well-positioned to strengthen its market leadership and drive sustainable growth over time.
Chevron’s shares have gained +24.7% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry’s gain of +28.6%. The company remains well positioned for long-term growth, supported by its strong production growth, helped by the Hess acquisition, Permian expansion and Gulf of America operations. The Hess integration is progressing well, while cost efficiencies and lower capital intensity should improve resilience.Â
Chevron is also expanding into data-center power, creating a potential new source of long-term growth. However, the company remains highly sensitive to oil and gas prices, while weaker refined-product demand could pressure its downstream business.Â
Chevron’s premium valuation limits the scope for further upside, and geopolitical disruptions could affect operations. Low U.S. natural gas prices and delays in international projects add further uncertainty. Hence, investors are advised to wait for a better entry point.
Shares of Home Depot have outperformed the Zacks Retail - Home Furnishings industry over the year-to-date period (+4.9% vs. +2.8%). The company continues to invest in an integrated retail model, digital investments, and Pro-focused initiatives. Seamless connectivity across the stores, online platforms, and supply chain is enhancing customer experience and driving higher engagement.
The Pro segment continues to outperform, supported by targeted investments and expanding ecosystem capabilities. SRS remains a key Pro lever, with the Mingledorff’s deal adding an HVAC vertical and extending cross-sell opportunities.Â
However, Home Depot's EPS decreased year over year in first-quarter fiscal 2026 as mix and costs weighed on margins. Larger discretionary projects remain muted, and demand can swing with weather-driven repair activity. Management has reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 outlook for modest comp growth, reflecting housing affordability and low turnover.
IDT’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Diversified Communication Services industry over the year-to-date period (+27.4% vs. -6.8%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $1.62 billion has an investment thesis centered on a transition toward higher-growth, higher-margin businesses. NRS is expanding recurring revenues through retailer adoption, payments and SaaS, while advertising offers monetization potential.Â
BOSS Money’s digital shift is strengthening Fintech profitability and net2phone’s expansion into CCaaS, AI and workflow solutions creates scalable growth opportunities. Meanwhile, legacy communications continue to generate cash that can fund these emerging businesses.Â
However, main risks include competition, advertising execution, rising digital costs, early-stage AI monetization and volatile remittance funding needs. A debt-free balance sheet provides strategic flexibility. The valuation indicates that investors recognize IDT’s improving earnings profile but remain cautious about the sustainability and execution of its growth transition.
Shares of Waterstone Financial have gained +29.4% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Financial - Savings and Loan industry’s gain of +29.8%. This microcap company with a market capitalization of $376.23 million has seen its first-half 2026 net interest income rise 19.7% as net interest margin expanded to 3.00% from 2.54%, reflecting higher asset yields and lower funding costs. These improvements helped drive a 34.3% increase in net income and EPS growth.Â
Mortgage banking also returned to profitability, supported by a 15.7% increase in originations and higher non-interest income, adding diversification to earnings. Strong regulatory capital, $383.1 million of unused FHLB borrowing capacity and a healthy lending pipeline provide flexibility to fund further growth. Dividends and ongoing share repurchases should additionally support shareholder returns and per-share metrics.Â
However, higher credit-loss provisioning, real estate concentration, deposit competition and expense growth remain key risks. Still, the stock trades at 12.14X earnings, below industry, sector and S&P 500 multiples.
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG), Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER) and PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL).
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
Featured Reports
Per the Zacks analyst, strong travel demand, alternative accommodation growth and healthy cash generation aid BKNG. Yet, geopolitical and distribution risks temper the outlook.
The Zacks Analyst likes Uber's efforts to expand its Delivery operations in response to the surge in business. However, high debt does not bode well for its bottom line.
Per the Zacks Analyst, PayPal gains from its two-sided platform, rich partner base and expanding efforts. However, a challenging macroeconomic and competitive environment remains a woe.
Per the Zacks analyst, Veeva Systems' strong R&D focus, expanding product portfolio and solid customer adoption drive optimism, though high costs and rising competition remain concerns.
Per the Zacks analyst, Alliant Energy benefits from rising data center demand. Its strategic investment strengthens infrastructure and supports long-term growth.
Per the Zacks analyst, Guidewire is gaining momentum from its Guidewire Cloud platform, as insurers increasingly shift from legacy systems to cloud-based solutions, driving strong demand.
Per the Zacks analyst, Immunocore's sole marketed drug Kimmtrak is witnessing solid uptake owing to higher demand and volume growth. The drug's label expansion studies are also progressing well.
New Upgrades
Per the Zacks analyst, acquisitions, a diversified revenue base, rising client activity, expanding global footprint, ongoing investments in automation, and scalable technology will support StoneX.
Per the Zacks analyst, Avnet's Farnell business is witnessing strong recovery driven by a higher mix of on-the-board components, digital platform, and its global relationships through PowerOne.
Per the Zacks analyst, favorable U.S. supply, better collection technology, disciplined European deployment, cheaper funding and rising capital returns will support Encore Capital's profitability.
New Downgrades
Per the Zacks analyst, soft demand for A. O. Smith's residential water treatment products in China due to challenges in the real estate market are weighing on its results. High costs remain a concern.
Per the Zacks analyst, stiff competition for traffic and provider budgets keeps variable marketing margins volatile. Also, strict regulation raises compliance costs, which increase expenses.
Per the Zacks analyst, project risks, reduced guidance and unresolved issues weigh on Fluor's outlook. Cyclical spending and competitive contract terms further constrain earnings visibility.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
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