Wednesday, August 26, 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 JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Mastercard Inc. (MA), as well as a micro-cap stock Comstock Holding Companies, Inc. (CHCI). 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 >>> PCE Ticks Higher in July, NVIDIA Reports After the Close

Today's Featured Research Reports

Shares of JPMorgan have gained +12.2% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry’s gain of +13.4%. The company remains well-positioned given the current operating backdrop. Its earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. Its consumer franchise keeps widening, with U.S. branch builds and Chase digital growth in Europe, while scale, diversified revenues and disciplined balance sheet management drive durable earnings. 

A higher-for-longer rate regime is likely to aid net interest income (NII), and solid markets and investment banking (IB) fees and asset management flows will drive fee income. 

Yet, mortgage trends remain uneven, and expenses are likely to remain high as the bank invests in technology, marketing and growth initiatives. Credit quality is a watch item in a tougher, uncertain macro environment. However, a strong liquidity profile aids enhanced capital returns, with room for selective investments.

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

Johnson & Johnson’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the year-to-date period (+33.3% vs. +20.6%). The company’s Innovative Medicine unit is showing a growth trend, despite the loss of exclusivity of Stelara, driven by key products like Darzalex, Tremfya and Erleada and new launches, like Spravato, Carvykti and Tecvayli. The MedTech segment is also showing improved operational growth minus the recent weakness in Abiomed. 

J&J expects sales growth in both segments to be higher in the second half. J&J has also rapidly advanced its pipeline in the past year that will help drive growth through the back half of the decade. The company has “line of sight” to double-digit top-line growth by the end of the decade. 

However, the Stelara patent cliff and lowered expectations for Abiomed in MedTech are key headwinds. The uncertainty around unresolved legal issues lingers.

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

Shares of Mastercard have outperformed the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry over the year-to-date period (+5% vs. -1.1%). The company’s scale and brand strength continue to support steady payment network growth, helped by stable consumer and business spending and higher transaction activity. Cross-border and contactless payments remain key long-term growth drivers, while value-added services continue to diversify revenues through cybersecurity, analytics and digital authentication. 

Mastercard’s value-added services and solutions net revenues rose 21% YoY in the first half of 2026. Partnerships and targeted acquisitions extend reach into new payment flows, including stablecoin infrastructure. 

However, rebates and incentives are rising with new and renewed deals. Strategic investment keeps expense growth high, and cross-border activity remains exposed to geopolitical shifts. A premium valuation leaves less room for execution setbacks. As such, we have a Neutral view.

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

Comstock’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Building Products - Home Builders industry over the year-to-date period (+68.3% vs. +0.1%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $200.70 million saw its first-half 2026 revenues rise 56% year over year, while adjusted EBITDA surged 123%. Managed assets increased 42% to 108, with 92% commercial and 94% residential leasing supporting recurring fees. 

The QTS headquarters lease adds to leasing momentum, while the development pipeline, Institutional Venture Platform and ParkX’s 89% revenue growth expand fee-generating opportunities. Long-term management agreements, supplemental transaction fees and an asset-light, debt-free structure provide a capital-efficient earnings base. 

However, investments in real estate ventures rose to $19 million and cash declined to $25.3 million. Woodland Pointe adds tenant-concentration and development risks, while the Oklahoma data-center venture remains early-stage with limited current revenues. Despite EV/sales trading above its historical median, EV/EBITDA remains below industry levels. 

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Linde plc (LIN), Accenture plc (ACN) and General Dynamics Corp. (GD).

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>>>