Tuesday, July 21, 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 Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY), Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) and Morgan Stanley (MS), as well as a micro-cap stock Kewaunee Scientific Corp. (KEQU). 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 >>> Q2 Earnings Pick Up Steam: GM, MMM, DHI & More

Today's Featured Research Reports

Eli Lilly’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the past year (+48.8% vs. +33%). Demand for the company’s popular GLP-1 drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, remains strong, making them the company’s key top-line drivers. Lilly’s other new drugs like Kisunla, Omvoh and Jaypirca are also contributing to top-line growth. 

Lilly is also making rapid progress in its pipeline with its new oral GLP-1 obesity pill, Foundayo, expected to be a commercial game-changer for the company. Lilly has aggressively expanded through M&A in 2026 across oncology, neuroscience, cardiovascular and other areas to diversify growth beyond GLP-1 therapies. 

Declining sales of Trulicity, rising pricing pressure on some drugs and potential competition in the GLP-1 market are some top-line headwinds. Estimates have increased slightly ahead of Q2 results. Lilly has a positive record of earnings surprises in recent quarters.

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

Shares of Costco have gained +8.8% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Retail - Discount Stores industry’s gain of +11.3%. 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. 

Costco's focus on offering quality merchandise at competitive prices supports steady traffic and reinforces customer loyalty. 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. 

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.

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

Morgan Stanley’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry over the past year (+54.3% vs. +25.2%). The company’s outperformance suggests meaningful execution progress. Its second-quarter 2026 results reflected robust trading and investment banking (IB). It benefits from a durable wealth and asset management franchise that supports steadier fee income and deep client relationships, with strategic deals and alliances adding to long-term growth optionality. 

The IB business will improve as pipelines rebuild, M&A demand holds up and relatively lower rates aid client activity. A strong capital position allows continued shareholder returns. 

Yet, expense pressure from growth initiatives, technology spend and platform investments may limit operating leverage. Trading has been supportive, but the business is volatile and harder to grow from current levels. Its premium valuation limits its upside potential.

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

Shares of Kewaunee Scientific have underperformed the Zacks Instruments - Scientific industry over the year-to-date period (-3.1% vs. +19%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $104.01 million has its profitability exposed to project timing, construction activity, input-cost inflation and tariff pressures. Elevated corporate expenses and integration investments continue to weigh on earnings conversion. 

Although the balance sheet has improved through debt reduction, lower liquidity and ongoing capital commitments limit financial flexibility. Share dilution from equity compensation may also restrain per-share earnings growth.

Nevertheless, Kewaunee’s investment case is supported by a broader laboratory products portfolio following the Nu Aire acquisition, expanding its offerings, distribution reach and reducing reliance on laboratory furniture. A healthy backlog provides near-term revenue visibility, while international operations diversify earnings through turnkey laboratory design, engineering and project management capabilities that strengthen customer relationships.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA), BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) and Prologis, Inc. (PLD).

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>>>