Thursday, July 9, 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 Apple Inc. (AAPL), KLA Corp. (KLAC) and Western Digital Corp. (WDC), as well as a micro-cap stock, Optex Systems Holdings, Inc (OPXS). These research reports have been hand-picked from roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.

You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>

Ahead of Wall Street

The daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens, attempting to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning.

You can read today's AWS here >>> Jobless Claims Steady, PEP Q2 Earnings: Pre-Markets Higher

Today's Featured Research Reports

Apple’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Computer - Micro Computers industry over the last six months (+20.4% vs. +24.0%). Per the Zacks analyst, supply constraints, higher component costs and an uncertain tariff environment could pressure product availability and margins. Regulatory scrutiny, App Store disputes and antitrust challenges also remain key overhangs, supporting a balanced outlook.

Yet, strong demand for the latest iPhone lineup, expanding Services and a growing device ecosystem remain positives. New products, business-focused offerings, and continued shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks could support long-term engagement and the stock.

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

KLA’s shares have outperformed the Electronics – Miscellaneous Products industry over the last six months (+54.8% vs. +36.4%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company benefits from AI-driven semiconductor investment, strengthening its leadership in process control, advanced packaging and services. Healthy free cash flow supports dividends and share repurchases, while demand trends remain favorable.

However, export controls, tariff uncertainty and customer concentration remain key risks. Gross margin pressure from elevated DRAM-related system costs is also expected to persist, keeping the overall outlook balanced.

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

Western Digital’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Storage Devices industry over the past year (+745.8% vs. +455.7%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company is benefiting from AI-driven storage demand, strong cloud spending and favorable pricing. Higher-capacity drives, technology advances and improved operating efficiency support margins, while a stronger balance sheet enhances financial flexibility.

Yet, intense competition and customer concentration remain key risks. These factors could pressure growth and profitability despite favorable demand trends.

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

Optex Systems’ shares have underperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry over the past year (+6.1% vs. +20.2%). The Zacks analyst believes that gross margin and operating income have come under pressure from an unfavorable sales mix and higher administrative costs. Backlog has softened, particularly in periscopes and laser filters, creating some near-term uncertainty.

However, Optex Systems is benefiting from improving demand, supported by strong order growth and multi-year contract wins that enhance production visibility. Solid liquidity, expanding optical assemblies demand and attractive valuation relative to peers add to its appeal.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX), Waste Management, Inc. (WM) and ONEOK, Inc. (OKE).

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>>>