Wednesday, October 18, 2023

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 Mastercard Inc. (MA), TotalEnergies SE (TTE) and ConocoPhillips (COP). 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 >>>

Mastercard's shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry over the past year (+34.9% vs. +22.1%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company’s numerous acquisitions have helped drive revenue and ensure entry into new markets. Steady cash-generating abilities and a strong capital positionhave helped it to pursue these acquisitions and declare dividend.

However, steep operating expenses might stress margins. High rebates and incentives may weigh on net revenues.

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

TotalEnergies' shares have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas – Refining and Marketing industry over the past year (+28.7% vs. +15.1%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company continues to benefit from startups, well-spread LNG assets and an expanding upstream portfolio that has exposure to rapidly growing hydrocarbon-producing regions. It has low exposure to mature assets and is steadily expanding its renewable position.

Yet, the company’s production has been impacted by security-related production cuts in some regions, like Russia. The company remains exposed to acquisition-related risks as these assets contribute a sizable volume to production.

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

Shares of ConocoPhillips have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas – Integrated – United States industry over the past six months (+19.2% vs. +15.1%). Per the Zacks analyst, the company has decades of drilling inventories across its low-cost and diversified upstream asset base. Also, the company is better positioned to rely on its strong balance sheet to withstand any adverse business scenario.

However, due to the inflationary market, the company’s overall operating and production expenses continue to increase, hurting the bottom line. ConocoPhillips’ core activities of exploration and production are also exposed to extreme volatility in oil and gas prices.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM), Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras (PBR) and Hess Corp. (HES).

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>>>