Tuesday, April 29, 2025

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 The Home Depot, Inc. (HD), CME Group Inc. (CME) and Airbnb, Inc. (ABNB), as well as a micro-cap stock Park Aerospace Corp. (PKE). 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 >>> Trade Balance in Goods Hits All-Time Record, Plus Q1 Earnings

Today's Featured Research Reports

Home Depot’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Retail - Home Furnishings industry over the past year (+10.1% vs. +3.2%). The company’s stocks are driven by a top-line recovery, supported by SRS contributions, stronger-than-expected demand, broad-based category growth, and positive Pro sales.

Home Depot delivered better-than-expected sales and EPS in fourth-quarter fiscal 2024, with year-over-year improvements. The company is advancing its "One Home Depot" plan, focusing on supply chain expansion, technology investments, and digital enhancements. The interconnected retail strategy remains a key growth driver, ensuring a seamless shopping experience. HD expects the business momentum from late 2024 to carry into 2025.

However, HD continues to see soft engagement for big-ticket discretionary categories, resulting in soft sales. Also, higher interest rates, soft margins and ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties pose risks.

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

Shares of CME have outperformed the Zacks Securities and Exchanges industry over the past year (+34.2% vs. +30.4%). The company’s strong market position, driven by varied derivative product lines, bodes well. Efforts to expand and cross-sell through strategic alliances, acquisitions, new product initiatives and a stable global presence are encouraging.

While higher electronic trading volume adds scalability, product innovation and a growing proportion of volume from customers outside the United States have been driving results. Solid liquidity supports wealth distribution to shareholders.

However, escalating expenses due to higher technology costs are likely to put pressure on its margins. Also, its diversified product portfolio is significantly exposed to volatile interest rates, stricter government regulations and limited credit availability in unstable capital and credit markets.

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

Airbnb’s shares have declined -5% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry’s decline of -13.8%. The company is benefiting from continuous improvements in Nights and Experiences Booked, enabling it to witness a positive trend in its Gross Booking Value.

Growing gross nights booked, owing to solid momentum across high-density urban areas and first-time bookers is a tailwind. Increasing guest demand and continuous recovery in cross-border travel are major positives. Strong momentum in active listings, owing to supply growth across all regions, particularly in Asia Pacific and Latin America, is benefiting the top line.

Moreover, growing awareness around hosting and new features introduced for hosts is a plus. However, greater volatility in travel demands due to macroeconomic uncertainties, rising competition and impacts of geopolitical conflicts remain concerns.

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

Shares of Park Aerospace have underperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry over the past year (-2.1% vs. +24.7%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $264.61 million has seen revenues rise of 13.7% YTD, fueled by strong aerospace demand. Positioned in high-growth sectors like commercial, business jet, and military markets, Park benefits from the global expansion of aerospace composites.

Despite inflation and a May 2024 storm, the company maintained 28.1% gross margins and consistent profitability, showcasing strong operational resilience. Park’s debt-free balance sheet, $70M cash position, and robust liquidity support dividends, investments, and growth. Shareholder returns remain attractive with 40 consecutive years of payouts. Strategic exposure to defense spending provides further tailwinds.

However, risks include margin pressure from inflation, heavy reliance on a single customer, inventory build-up, geographic concentration at its Kansas facility, supply chain disruptions at the customer level, and vulnerability to shifts in composite material adoption.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Philip Morris International Inc. (PM), 3M Company (MMM) and América Móvil, S.A.B. de C.V. (AMX).

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>>>