Thursday, October 15, 2026

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features a real-time update on the ongoing Q3 eanings season, in addition to updated analyst reports on 16 major stocks, including NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA), Philip Morris International (PM) and Home Depot (HD), as well as a micro-cap stock CPI Aerostructures, Inc. (CVU). 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 >>>
 

Q3 Earnings Season Scorecard

Including this morning's results from PN Financial, US Bancorp and four other S&P 500 members, we now have Q3 results from 38 S&P 500 members. Total earnings for these 38 companies are up +48.7% from the same period last year on +14.4% higher revenues, with 84.2% beating EPS estimates and 68.4% beating revenue estimates.

To put the results from these 38 index members in a historical context, the EPS beats percentage of 84.2% compares to 86.8% from this same group of companies in the preceding period and the 82.7% average over the preceding 20-quarter period. The revenue beats percentage of 68.4% compares to 76.3% in 2026 Q2, 84.2% in 2026 Q1 and the 20-quarter average of 70.6%.

The Q3 earnings growth rate of +48.7% has been boosted by the outsized numbers from Micron Technology. Excluding the Micron contribution, Q3 earnings for the remaining 37 index members drops to +10.6% from +48.7%, which compares to +24.9% in the preceding period and +13.3% in 2026 Q1.

It is still early in the Q3 reporting cycle, but the Q3 reported growth rates and beats percentages are tracking modestly below what we had seen from this same group of companies in other recent peirods. 

Ahead of Wall Stree

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's open and attempts 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 >>> PPI, Retail Sales Jump, Claims Stay Resilient

Today's Featured Research Reports

Shares of NVIDIA have gained +22.1% over the past year against the Zacks Semiconductor - General industry’s gain of +28.3%. The company continues to benefit from broad demand for accelerated computing as customers build AI factories across hyperscalers, AI clouds, enterprises and sovereign buyers. 

Blackwell Ultra is supporting growth while Vera Rubin broadens the platform across GPUs, CPUs, networking and software. Customer diversification, rising system content and usage-linked opportunities extend the runway, while cash generation supports capital returns. 

China remains largely closed to data center compute, and NVIDIA is taking on larger supply commitments, customer credit support and long-dated guarantees. Customer concentration, rising operating investment and competition add uncertainty. Even so, platform leadership, product cadence and expanding AI infrastructure demand give the positive drivers greater weight in the current risk-reward profile.

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

Philip Morris’ shares have outperformed the Zacks Tobacco industry over the past year (+36.4% vs. +28.3%). The company has been benefiting from strong pricing power, favorable product mix and steady growth in its smoke-free portfolio. IQOS, ZYN and VEEV continue to support the company’s transition across key markets, with smoke-free products contributing about 42% of second-quarter 2026 revenues. 

In the first half, net revenues rose 9.8% and adjusted EPS increased 15.6%, while productivity savings helped offset higher investments in innovation, marketing and commercial initiatives. However, cigarette volumes remain in structural decline, with full-year shipments expected to fall 2-3%. 

The U.S. business also remains under pressure from weaker first-half results, elevated spending and execution risks related to ZYN and IQOS ILUMA. Regulatory restrictions on tobacco products remain another key concern for long-term demand and profitability.

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

Shares of Home Depot have underperformed the Zacks Retail - Home Furnishings industry over the past year (-21.6% vs. -20.7%). The company’s larger discretionary projects remain muted, and demand can swing with weather-driven repair activity. Management has reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 outlook for modest comps growth, reflecting housing affordability and low turnover.

Nevertheless, Home Depot continues to invest in an integrated retail model, digital investments, product innovations and Pro-focused initiatives. Seamless connectivity across the stores, online platforms and supply chain is enhancing customer experience and driving higher engagement. 

The Pro segment continues to outperform, supported by targeted investments and expanding ecosystem capabilities. SRS remains a key Pro lever, with the Mingledorff’s deal adding an HVAC vertical and extending cross-sell opportunities. Cash generation supports reinvestment and dividends. The Zacks analyst expect sales to rise 4% year over year in fiscal 2026.

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

CPI Aerostructures’ shares have outperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry over the past year (+104.9% vs. -11.5%).  This microcap company with market capitalization of $66.25 million, have seen first-half 2026 revenues rose 14.3%, while gross margin improved to 23.9% from 7.6%. Its $533.1 million backlog and rising funded orders enhance revenue visibility. New airborne pod awards and T-38 sustainment contracts support growth through 2028. 

Military subcontract revenues climbed 27.2%, reflecting strong electronic warfare program activity. Defense modernization, fleet readiness requirements and rising military spending offer additional tailwinds. Established relationships with RTX, L3Harris and other defense contractors strengthen opportunities. 

However, tight liquidity, elevated debt, negative operating cash flow, rising receivables, customer concentration and the unresolved A-10 dispute pose risks. Weakness in commercial and prime government revenues adds pressure. The stock trades at 1.16X EV/sales, below sector levels but above its five-year median.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Suncor Energy Inc. (SU), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (HMC) and Flex Ltd. (FLEX).

Director of Research

Sheraz Mian

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>>>