Monday, October 12, 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 Oracle Corp. (ORCL), American Express Co. (AXP) and The Progressive Corp. (PGR). 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 >>> Big Week of Data: Inflation & Q3 Earnings

Today's Featured Research Reports

Shares of Oracle have underperformed the Zacks Computer - Software industry over the year-to-date period (-26.5% vs. +1.5%). The company’s data center expansion requires substantial investment and careful execution. Free cash flow remains negative despite customer prepayments, while new equity financing risks dilution.

Competition from larger cloud providers remains intense. Traditional software revenue continues to decline as customers migrate to subscriptions. These factors warrant caution until infrastructure investments deliver durable cash generation over the long term.

Nevertheless, Oracle's cloud infrastructure expansion is benefiting from rising AI computing demand and faster conversion of its contracted backlog into revenue. Multicloud database adoption and embedded AI tools reinforce its competitive position. Integrated applications support recurring revenue and customer retention. Management's higher fiscal 2027 outlook points to further growth.

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

American Express’ shares have underperformed the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry over the year-to-date period (-15.7% vs. -12.4%). The company’s expenses rose 12% year over year in the first half of 2026, outpacing revenue growth, reflecting higher customer engagement and operating costs. Credit performance remains strong, but macroeconomic pressures could affect spending and credit costs.

Nevertheless, American Express is benefiting from its differentiated Membership Model, strong Card Member spending and sustained customer acquisition, particularly among Millennials and Gen-Z. Travel, dining, partnerships and digital initiatives are enhancing its differentiated premium customer value proposition. 

The proposed TheFork acquisition could expand AXP's lifestyle ecosystem and international reach. In the first six months of 2026, total revenues increased 11% year over year, and management raised its 2026 revenue growth guidance to 10%.

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

Shares of Progressive have gained +1.7% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry’s gain of +2.4%. The company, continues to benefit from premium growth, supported by its strong position in personal auto. Growth in policies in force, strong new-business activity and its independent-agent network should support long-term premium growth and steady revenues. 

Investment in digital transformation and data-driven underwriting should further strengthen this position. Its reinsurance program helps offset losses, while its strong financial position provides stability. 

That said, normalizing auto pricing and rising loss severity, despite declining claims frequency, could pressure premium per policy and underwriting margins. Weaker retention and increasing leverage, although still manageable, add risk, while a rich valuation limits upside, supporting a Neutral recommendation.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Western Midstream Partners, LP (WES), BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. (BTSG) and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited (RDY).

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>>>