Thursday, December 4, 2025

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 HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC), Abbott Laboratories (ABT) and Shell plc (SHEL), as well as a micro-cap stock Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY). 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 >>> Jobless Claims Puzzlingly Light, Lowest in 3 Years

Today's Featured Research Reports

HSBC’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Banks - Foreign industry over the past year (+60.2% vs. +51.2%). The company’s stock performance reflects strong shareholder returns and the success of its Asia pivot strategy despite macroeconomic headwinds. A robust capital position and an expansive global footprint will support financials. 

As part of its focus on optimizing returns, the company is divesting operations in underperforming regions and has exited retail banking across multiple markets. Though these moves position it for improved operating efficiency, they are likely to temporarily weigh on revenue growth. 

This, along with subdued loan demand, presents a near-term woe. Elevated costs tied to efforts to expand market share will hurt profits. Yet, business simplification and restructuring initiatives will fuel long-term growth. HSBC's partnership with Mistral AI is in sync with its restructuring plan and will help improve efficiency.

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

Shares of Abbott have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Products industry over the past year (+10.1% vs. -0.7%). The company’s strong pipeline continues to open up new opportunities, supporting its 2025 outlook. The Medical Devices arm remains a key growth driver, led by the FreeStyle Libre CGM franchise, including the upcoming dual-analyte sensor integrating glucose and ketone monitoring. 

In Diagnostics, Abbott’s Alinity platforms and Point of Care tests are driving growth outside China, even as VBP-related pricing and volume pressures continue to create a drag. Abbott remains optimistic about its biosimilar strategy, which is expected to boost EPD sales. Within Nutrition, Abbott gains traction, driven by a strong Adult Nutrition and innovation across Ensure and Glucerna brands. 

Yet, persistent challenges in the Diagnostics, along with tariff impacts, FX fluctuations, and macroeconomic headwinds, continue to weigh modestly on overall growth.

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

Shell’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry over the past year (+21.9% vs. +10.6%). This London-based oil supermajor looks fairly balanced at the moment. The company’s third quarter 2025 results highlight resilience and disciplined execution across its portfolio. 

Strong LNG performance, robust upstream output from projects like Whale and Mero showcase solid cash generation and shareholder commitment. Strategic divestments and targeted reinvestments underscore capital discipline and support long-term transition goals. 

However, revenue decline alongside rising operating costs is pressuring margins. Chemical and product earnings plunged 65%, revealing downstream weakness, and renewables remain minimally profitable. With stable fundamentals offset by cyclical and structural headwinds, a neutral stance is justified—balancing solid financial health against uneven growth and energy-transition uncertainty.

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

Shares of Oak Valley have underperformed the Zacks Banks - West industry over the past year (-6.4% vs. -5%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $235.54 million is witnessing headwinds which include margin pressure from rising deposit costs, a 10% jump in non-interest expenses, and sluggish 0.6% loan growth. CRE loans account for 87% of the portfolio, exposing the bank to sector-specific risk. Additionally, $32.4 million in unrealized securities losses have weighed on book value. 

Nevertheless, Oak Valley Bancorp posted strong liquidity growth in 2025, with cash surging 46.5% to $247.2 million, supported by 4.7% deposit growth and a 5% rise in total assets. Credit quality remains pristine, with zero non-accrual loans and minimal charge-offs, reflecting disciplined underwriting. 

Strategic expansion into Downtown Lodi boosts regional market presence and supports long-term growth. Dividend payouts rose 33% year over year, underlining a shareholder-friendly capital approach.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Synopsys, Inc. (SNPS), Exelon Corp. (EXC) and Ubiquiti Inc. (UI). 

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>>>