Wednesday, September 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 Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY), Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) and Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN), as well as a micro-cap stock Stratus Properties Inc. (STRS). 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 >>> Pre-Markets Trade Lower Ahead of Inflation Data Thursday, Friday

Today's Featured Research Reports

Eli Lilly’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the past year (+49.9% vs. +34.7%). The company has seen extraordinary momentum in its cardiometabolic franchise. Demand for its 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. It is also making rapid pipeline progress in obesity and diabetes. Its new GLP-1 obesity pill, Foundayo, is expected to be a commercial game-changer. Its next-generation weight loss pill, retatrutide, if approved, could become another multibillion-dollar product. 

Lilly has announced several M&A deals aimed at diversifying beyond GLP-1 drugs and expanding its presence in immunology, oncology and neuroscience. Rising pricing pressure on some drugs and potential competition in the GLP-1 market are some top-line headwinds.  

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

Shares of Palo Alto Networks have outperformed the Zacks Security industry over the past year (+70.8% vs. +66.8%). The company continues to benefit as enterprises consolidate security tools and adapt defenses for AI-driven threats. Platformization is supporting larger customer commitments, while growth across SASE, software firewalls, Prisma AIRS, XSIAM, observability and identity broadens recurring revenues. 

CyberArk and Chronosphere are extending the company into new security categories, with integration progress supporting cross-selling. Cash generation remains healthy, and fiscal 2027 guidance points to continued revenue growth and operating-margin expansion. 

However, gross-margin compression from the cloud and SaaS mix, rising hosting and component costs, competition, a larger diluted share base and acquisition execution risks temper the outlook. The balance of durable demand drivers and execution risks supports a Neutral view.

(You can read the full research report on Palo Alto Networks here >>>)

Texas Instruments’ shares have outperformed the Zacks Semiconductor - General industry over the past year (+44.4% vs. +33.9%). 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. 

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. 

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.

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

Shares of Stratus have outperformed the Zacks Real Estate - Operations industry over the past year (+22.9% vs. -12.9%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $151.26 million is anchored by its board-approved liquidation plan, which provides a defined path to monetizing assets and returning capital to shareholders. Strong liquidity, including $73.5 million in cash and additional revolver capacity, supports execution while allowing the company to advance development assets to value-enhancing milestones before sale. 

Near-term catalysts include pending asset dispositions at New Caney, Amarra Villas and Jones Crossing, which could generate additional cash. Holden Hills remains a key source of embedded value, supported by third-party validation through a joint venture transaction. 

However, key risks include significant 2026 debt maturities requiring refinancing, regulatory uncertainty surrounding Holden Hills development rights, continued weakness in multifamily markets, and declining recurring leasing income. Shares trade below book value but at a premium EV/sales multiple.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include BP p.l.c. (BP), PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) and Raymond James Financial, Inc. (RJF).

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>>>