Friday, September 18, 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), Linde plc (LIN) and Amgen Inc. (AMGN), as well as a micro-cap stock INNOVATE Corp. (VATE). 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

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You can read today's AWS here >>> End of an Era: The Oracle of Omaha Steps Down

Today's Featured Research Reports

AMD’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Integrated Systems industry over the year-to-date period (+154.6% vs. +117.1%). 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 beginning its production ramp, while multigigawatt commitments from leading model developers improve visibility into AI deployments. 

Venice strengthens the server roadmap, and management expects server growth to remain elevated into 2027. Client share gains and an Embedded recovery add diversification. 

However, tight supply across wafers, packaging, memory and rack components raises execution risk as Helios scales. Data center AI mix can constrain gross-margin expansion, while softer PC and gaming demand and customer concentration temper the upside. Overall, AMD’s broader platform opportunity is balanced by execution and margin risks, supporting a Neutral view.

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

Shares of Linde have outperformed the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry over the year-to-date period (+8.6% vs. +5.9%). The company combines a resilient business model with long-term customer contracts, diversified industrial gas end markets and a sizable project backlog that supports cash flow visibility. Its backlog is supported by long-term supply agreements and a healthy project pipeline. 

Electronics remains its fastest-growing end market, with AI-linked semiconductor demand and new U.S. and Taiwan investments supporting growth. Pricing, productivity and project start-ups support earnings. 

However, industrial demand remains uneven across regions. EMEA volumes are soft, while Middle East disruptions affect parts of Asia. U.S. homecare and lower-margin APAC equipment sales are weighing on margins. Foreign exchange adds variability. The Neutral view balances contracted growth and semiconductor exposure with regional demand, margin and currency risks.

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

Amgen’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry over the year-to-date period (+18.4% vs. +8.7%). The company markets a range of drugs across oncology, cardiovascular, bone health, immunology and other areas. Amgen’s key medicines like Evenity, Repatha and Uplizna, as well as newer medicines like Imdelltra, Tavneos and Tezspire, are driving sales, more than offsetting declining revenues from oncology biosimilars and mature products like Enbrel. 

New biosimilar launches are also contributing to top-line growth. Furthermore, Amgen has several key pipeline assets, with a primary focus on the obesity candidate, MariTide. 

However, price declines and increased competition are hurting sales of some products. Sales of best-selling drugs, Prolia and Xgeva, are declining sharply in 2026 due to biosimilar launches. Recent pipeline setbacks and the upcoming LOE cliff are concerns. 

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

Shares of INNOVATE have outperformed the Zacks Diversified Operations industry over the year-to-date period (+73.9% vs. -1.2%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $107.22 million benefits from strong infrastructure demand, a sizable backlog and improving execution at DBMG, which support multi-year revenue visibility and margin resilience. Exposure to data centers, AI infrastructure, healthcare and advanced manufacturing provides additional growth avenues. 

MediBeacon’s commercialization progress and R2’s international expansion offer longer-term optionality, while the Broadcasting transaction could simplify the balance sheet and preserve participation in future upside. 

However, INNOVATE’s leveraged capital structure, sizable near-term maturities and weak parent-level liquidity remain key concerns. Dependence on DBMG for earnings and cash support heightens the impact of its required sale, while capitalized interest and limited cash conversion constrain deleveraging.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Phillips 66 (PSX), Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) and Aon plc (AON).

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>>>