Wednesday, September 2, 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 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD), Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) and AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), as well as two micro-cap stocks Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. (PEBK) and Spruce Power Holding Corp. (SPRU). 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 >>> ADP Brings +38K Private-Sector Jobs in August

Today's Featured Research Reports

AMD’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Integrated Systems industry over the year-to-date period (+114.6% vs. +99.4%). The company is benefiting from broadening AI infrastructure demand as EPYC server CPUs and Instinct accelerators gain traction across cloud and enterprise customers. Helios is in production, while commitments from Anthropic and Microsoft improve visibility into large-scale deployments. 

Venice strengthens the server roadmap, and management expects data center growth to accelerate into 2027. Client share gains and a recovering Embedded business add diversification, while cash generation supports investment. 

However, intense competition, softer PC and gaming demand tied to higher component costs, customer concentration, and a data center AI mix that can constrain gross-margin expansion temper the upside. AMD’s expanding platform breadth is balanced by execution, demand and concentration risks, supporting a Neutral view.

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

Shares of Costco have outperformed the Zacks Retail - Discount Stores industry over the year-to-date period (+9.5% vs. +9.2%). The company remains well-positioned due to its differentiated membership-based warehouse model, strong value proposition and loyal customer base. It continues to benefit from recurring membership income, high renewal rates and growing engagement from higher-value members. 

Costco’s focus on offering quality merchandise at competitive prices supports steady traffic and reinforces customer loyalty. Costco is also enhancing its digital ecosystem through e-commerce, personalization tools, AI-driven product discovery and convenient fulfillment options, helping improve the member experience. 

Also, the company is expanding its warehouse footprint and investing in productivity-enhancing initiatives to support long-term growth. Backed by a strong balance sheet, Costco is well-positioned to strengthen its market leadership and drive sustainable growth over time.

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

AstraZeneca’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry over the year-to-date period (-10.7% vs. +10.6%). The company has a diverse product portfolio and a global footprint. Its key drugs like Lynparza, Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Ultomiris and Fasenra should keep driving revenues. New drugs are also contributing to growth. 

Two new drugs, Etcamah in breast cancer and Baxfendy in hypertension, are already approved this year. AstraZeneca’s pipeline is also strong, with several pivotal data readouts lined up over the next 18 months. Backed by its new products and pipeline drugs, AstraZeneca expects to generate $80 billion in total revenues by 2030. 

However, AstraZeneca’s several blockbuster drugs like Farxiga, Brilinta, Symbicort and Soliris have lost patent exclusivity and are facing generic erosion. Also, effects from volume-based procurement are hurting sales in China. Recent pipeline setbacks are a concern.

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

Shares of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina have outperformed the Zacks Banks - Southeast industry over the year-to-date period (+21.2% vs. +11.5%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $235.94 million has its investment case supported by margin expansion, loan growth, a stronger deposit mix and ample liquidity. Lower funding costs and continued lending activity are supporting net interest income, while a predominantly core-deposit base provides funding stability. 

Sound capital preserves flexibility for growth and credit needs. However, faster loan expansion has increased provisioning, non-performing assets have edged higher and real estate exposure warrants monitoring. Softer appraisal activity continues to pressure fee income, while rising operating costs have constrained profitability gains. 

Interest-rate shifts and securities valuation losses also remain risks. The valuation presents a balanced picture, suggesting some upside if operating momentum strengthens, though current pricing leaves less margin of safety should earnings or credit trends weaken.

(You can read the full research report on Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina here >>>)

Spruce Power’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry over the year-to-date period (-65% vs. +30.4%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $34.27 million has substantial near-term refinancing needs, elevated interest costs, negative operating cash flow and customer concentration remain key risks. Revenue momentum also remains subdued. The stock’s valuation is near historical lows and remains below broader benchmarks. 

Nevertheless, Spruce Power is supported by improving cost discipline, recurring contracted revenues and multiple capital-light growth avenues. Lower SG&A strengthened operating profitability in the first half of 2026 despite softer revenues, while its roughly 83,000 solar assets provide a sizable recurring revenue base. 

Stable PPA and SLA revenues, higher portfolio generation and initiatives involving AI and expanded in-house servicing could support further efficiency gains. Portfolio acquisitions, Spruce Pro and subscription-based offerings also provide opportunities for longer-term expansion as the residential solar market grows.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Marathon Petroleum Corp. (MPC), HEICO Corp. (HEI) and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM).

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>>>