Tuesday, August 11, 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 Meta Platforms, Inc. (META), Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN) and CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (CRWD), as well as a micro-cap stock Weyco Group, Inc. (WEYS). 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 >>> Small Biz Index, Existing Home Sales & More Earnings
Today's Featured Research Reports
Shares of Meta have underperformed the Zacks Internet - Software industry over the year-to-date period (-9.7% vs. -1.6%). The company’s spending is weighing on margins and free cash flow, while Reality Labs remains loss-making. Competition for users and ad budgets remains intense, and legal and regulatory exposure has become more visible.Â
Meta’s scale, distribution and ad execution support the growth case, but the investment cycle and uncertain timing of AI monetization keep the risk-reward balanced over time. Nevertheless, Meta Platforms is extending AI deeper across its apps, and recommendation and ad-system upgrades are supporting engagement and advertiser returns.Â
WhatsApp, subscriptions, business agents and AI glasses broaden the long-term monetization runway beyond feed advertising and add new enterprise avenues. At the same time, Meta is committing more capital to models and infrastructure before returns from newer AI products are fully established.
Texas Instruments’ shares have outperformed the Zacks Semiconductor - General industry over the year-to-date period (+64.4% vs. +24.2%). The company is benefiting from broadening demand across industrial, data center and automotive markets, while its analog and embedded processing franchises support durable long-term growth. Internal manufacturing, expanding 300-millimeter capacity and CHIPS Act support strengthen supply control and cost efficiency.Â
The Silicon Labs acquisition should deepen wireless connectivity capabilities and broaden embedded opportunities. Cash generation is recovering as revenue and factory loadings rise, supporting dividends and buybacks. Management also sees demand broadening into the second half of 2026.Â
However, risks remain from elevated debt, geopolitical and trade exposure, competition, seasonality and higher manufacturing costs. Still, broader end-market demand and rising free cash flow support an Outperform view for TXN shares.
Shares of CrowdStrike have outperformed the Zacks Security industry over the year-to-date period (+92.1% vs. +86.2%). The company remains leveraged to sustained cybersecurity demand as customers consolidate tools on the Falcon platform and expand module adoption through subscriptions and Falcon Flex.Â
AI-led launches, including agent-based workflows, broader data and browser protection, and deeper partnerships across the cloud ecosystem, support cross-sell and renewals over time. Recent acquisitions in identity and browser runtime security extend the platform’s addressable use cases, while the company’s liquidity and cash generation provide the flexibility to keep investing.Â
At the same time, the thesis is balanced by a maturing growth profile, continued heavy sales and R&D spending, macro-driven deal delays and competitive pricing pressure. Ongoing incident-related and execution risks also warrant a measured stance for a Neutral view.
Weyco’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Shoes and Retail Apparel industry over the year-to-date period (+53.6% vs. -27.4%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $440.58 million has seen its first-half 2026 sales rise 3% to $130.2 million, while a healthy backlog provides better order visibility for the second half. Cash and marketable securities of $98.1 million, no revolver borrowings and strong operating cash flow provide ample capacity to fund inventory, dividends, buybacks and strategic investments.Â
The shift toward e-commerce should also streamline direct-to-consumer operations, while Florsheim’s expansion into hybrid and casual footwear broadens its growth potential.
However, operating costs are rising faster than sales, while much of the earnings improvement reflected tariff refunds rather than underlying profitability. The planned inventory build to roughly $70 million could increase working-capital and markdown risks. Despite its strong share-price performance, Weyco’s EV/EBITDA remains below industry levels, though EV/sales is at a five-year high.Â
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Medtronic plc (MDT), Republic Services, Inc. (RSG) and Ventas, Inc. (VTR).
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
The Zacks analyst is impressed with Medtronic's Cardiac Ablation Solutions (CAS) business benefiting from the Affera system and Sphere-9 catheter adoption. Adverse currency swings may hurt results.
Per the Zacks analyst, Republic Services' initiative to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) reduces its environmental impact by lowering fleet emissions. Low liquidity is concerning.
Per the Zacks Analyst, Ventas gains from solid senior housing demand, limited new supply, OM&R durability and capital recycling. However, tenant concentration and high interest expenses remains a woe.
Per the Zacks analyst, FirstEnergy Corp. benefits from expanding data center demand. Its strategic transmission and distribution investments support reliability and long-term growth.
Per the Zacks analyst, Regions Financial's steady loan growth, strong pipelines and diversified market presence support growth. Yet, elevated expenses remain a key concern.
Per the Zacks analyst, Blue Owl's strong portfolio quality and lower leverage support growth despite pressure from lower interest rates and tighter spreads.
Per the Zacks analyst, FIGS' broad-based growth, stronger customer engagement, product expansion and 67% international growth support a more durable earnings trajectory.
New Upgrades
Per the Zacks analyst, AI server demand, higher FPGA attach rates and rising Compute & Communications revenue are likely to drive Lattice's top line. Recurring revenue growth is a positive.
Per the Zacks analyst, favorable refining markets, asset optimization, renewable profitability and portfolio simplification support cash generation, flexibility and shareholder returns for DINO.
Per the Zacks analyst, Marriott Vacations benefits from sales transformation, stronger owner engagement and VPG growth. Brand strength and cost discipline further support growth.
New Downgrades
Per the Zacks Analyst, weaker pet-care demand and intensifying competition could weigh on ZTS' growth. Uncertain livestock demand, the loss of divested products and a high debt burden add pressure.
Per the Zacks analyst, elevated vehicle prices and financing costs continue to limit the purchasing power of Group 1's customers. Also, high debt levels remain a concern.
Per the Zacks analyst, AECOM's growth is hurting due to project completion delays, resulting in higher costs and revenue uncertainty. Also, ongoing geopolitical risks add to the concerns.
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