Wednesday, April 20, 2022
 
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 Oracle Corporation (ORCL), Linde plc (LIN), and Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). 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 >>>

Shares of Oracle have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Software industry over the past year (+3.2% vs. +2.7%). The Zacks analyst believes that the ongoing momentum across its cloud business, driven by the strong uptake of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure services and autonomous Database offerings. Solid adoption of cloud-based applications, comprising NetSuite Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Fusion ERP and Fusion Human Capital Management (HCM), bodes well. Solid demand for the Oracle Dedicated Region Cloud@Customer is anticipated to drive the top line.
 

Partnerships with Accenture and Microsoft is helping Oracle win new clientele. The company’s share buybacks and dividend policy are noteworthy. However, higher spending on product enhancements, especially toward the cloud platform, amid increasing competition in the cloud domain is likely to limit margin expansion.

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

Linde's shares have gained +14.4% over the past year against the Zacks Oil and Gas - Field Services industry’s gain of +34.2%. The company’s primary product is industrial gases including oxygen, which is used as life support in hospitals. Linde process gas like hydrogen is being utilized for clean fuels, while its high-purity and specialty gases are employed to manufacture electronics.
 

The Zacks analyst believes that with improving industrial productions worldwide, Linde is gaining on the back of recovering industrial gas demand. The company has long-term contracts with on-site customers backed by minimum purchase requirements, thereby securing stable cashflows. However, the cost of sales continues to increase, hurting the firm’s bottom line.

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

Shares of Caterpillar have outperformed the Zacks Manufacturing - Construction and Mining over the past year (+4.7% vs. +2.4%). Caterpillar’s backlog was a solid $23 billion at the end of 2021. This will drive its top line in the upcoming quarters. Strong demand in its end markets and savings from its restructuring actions might negate the impact of high material and labor costs and supply chain headwinds that is currently being faced by the company.
 

The Zacks analyst believes that the construction industries segment is expected to continue to benefit from the strength in residential construction and non-residential construction in the United States, as well as rising demand in other parts of the world. Meanwhile, demand from mining backed by higher commodity prices will aid the Resource Industries segment. A robust liquidity position and investments in expanding services and digital initiatives will drive growth.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Salesforce, Inc. (CRM), Sony Group Corporation (SONY), and Vale S.A. (VALE).

Sheraz Mian
 
Director of Research

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>>>