Wednesday, April 1, 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 American Express Co. (AXP), Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) and Shopify Inc. (SHOP), as well as a micro-cap stock Utah Medical Products, Inc. (UTMD). 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 >>>

Ahead of Wall Street

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 opens, attempting 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 >>> No Foolin': ADP Jobs Led by Small Companies

Today's Featured Research Reports

American Express’ shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry over the past year (+11.1% vs. -17.2%). The company is benefiting from strong spending growth, particularly from Millennials and Gen Z, supported by experience-driven rewards, travel and dining platforms and expanding digital capabilities. 

Strategic acquisitions and partnerships across travel, lifestyle and small-business ecosystems further strengthen engagement and transaction volumes. Investments in AI, digital payments and B2B solutions are also enhancing long-term growth prospects. Strong cash generation and steady capital returns remain supportive. 

However, rising expense intensity, elevated credit-loss provisions amid weakening consumer credit trends and relatively high leverage could pressure margins and earnings stability if macro conditions remain challenging. AXP’s fourth-quarter earnings missed estimates. The Zacks analyst reiterates our Neutral recommendation on the stock.

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

Shares of Intuitive Surgical have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Instruments industry over the past six months (+4% vs. -2.6%). The company delivered a strong fourth-quarter, beating revenue and EPS estimates. The da Vinci 5 system gained momentum with 303 placements, raising its installed base to 1,232, alongside approvals in Europe and Japan for a phased rollout. 

Utilization surpassed the Xi platform, supported by force feedback and Case Insights, while rising trade-ins highlighted upgrade demand. Global procedures grew 19% year over year, with 16% growth in the U.S. and 24% OUS, driven by benign general and non-urology surgeries in India, Korea, and distributor markets. System placements totaled 427, showing strong demand. 

However, gross margin slipped on higher costs and tariffs, while OUS markets remain pressured by budget constraints. Medicaid policy uncertainty is a risk, but ISRG issued 2026 growth guidance to 13–15% and margins to 67–68%.

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

Shopify’s shares have gained +17.9% over the past year against the Zacks Internet - Services industry’s gain of +72.6%. The company’s prospects are benefiting from an expanding merchant base. New merchant-friendly tools like Shop Minis, Shop Cash, and Sign in with Shop -- along with Shop Pay solutions -- is helping SHOP win merchants regularly. 

Shopify’s investment in AI-driven tools, such as Catalog, Universal Cart, and Sidekick, is helping merchants improve customer engagement and streamline operations. Shopify’s expanding international footprint with strong growth in Europe is a key catalyst. A rich partner base is helping SHOP expand its merchant base. Strong free cash flow margin reflects solid liquidity and supports share repurchase programs. 

However, Shopify faces gross margin pressure due to higher hosting costs, the three-month paid trial program, and the expanded PayPal partnership, which carries lower margins. 

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

Shares of Utah Medical Products have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Products industry over the past year (+13.5% vs. -21.1%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $197.44 million enters 2026 with a fortress balance sheet (~$86 million cash, no debt), providing exceptional flexibility for dividends, buybacks, and potential acquisitions without dilution. 

Despite a weak 2025, structural tailwinds support earnings recovery, including ~$1.6 million in G&A savings from amortization roll-off and a shift toward higher-margin direct biopharma sales. Its diversified specialty device portfolio and strong regulatory track record underpin stable, high-quality cash flows. Consistent shareholder returns further enhance per-share value. 

However, near-term risks persist: ~$2.5 million (~6%) revenue loss from OEM/China exits, weak backlog, and softness in international markets create uncertainty around revenue replacement. Margin pressure remains due to limited pricing power, operating leverage, and tariff headwinds. Valuation remains below historical averages and modestly below peers.

(You can read the full research report on Utah Medical Products here >>>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras (PBR), Southern Copper Corp. (SCCO) and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (AEM).

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>>>