Tuesday, February 15, 2022

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 Walmart Inc. (WMT), Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM), and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO). 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 >>>

Shares of Walmart have underperformed the Zacks Supermarkets industry over the past year (-6.5% vs. -4.4%) given the company's magnified exposure to issues like clogged supply chains, inflation and rising labor costs. 

The Zacks analyst, however, believes that a strong inventory position, increased contributions from advertising revenues and lower markdowns should help offset inflationary pressures. Walmart has been gaining from its sturdy comp sales record, driven by its constant omnichannel efforts. WMT has been posting positive comp sales in the U.S. division for 29 straight quarters.

(You can read the full research report on Walmart here >>>)

Exxon Mobil shares have gained +44.8% in the past six months against the Zacks Integrated International Oil industry’s rise of +38.1%. The Zacks analyst believes that major discoveries in the Stabroek Block have enhanced prospects for Exxon Mobil's upstream businesses.

XOM also has a strong presence in the prolific Permian Basin, where it continues to lower its fracking & drilling costs. Exxon has also increased its quarterly dividend to 88 cents per share. It reported strong fourth-quarter results on the back of improved realized oil and gas prices as well as higher refining and chemical margins.

(You can read the full research report on Exxon Mobil here >>>)

Shares of Thermo Fisher have lost -12.5% in the last three months against the Zacks Medical Instruments industry’s loss of -17.3%. Unfavorable macroeconomic conditions and currency headwinds continue to stress Thermo Fisher’s margins.

The Zacks analyst, however, believes that with several takeovers including Advanced Bioprocessing buyout from BD and Patheon, Thermo Fisher is expanding inorganic growth profile. Its strong focus on emerging market is also encouraging. Thermo Fisher’s accelerated investments to expand bioproduction capacity also buoy optimism.

(You can read the full research report on Thermo Fisher here >>>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include NIKE, Inc. (NKE), McDonald's Corporation (MCD) and CVS Health Corporation (CVS).

Sheraz Mian

Director of Research

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>>>