Friday, October 16, 2026

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 12 major stocks, including Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST), The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) and Marriott International, Inc. (MAR), as well as two micro-cap stocks Park Aerospace Corp. (PKE) and Flanigan's Enterprises, Inc. (BDL). 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 >>> First Week of Q3 Earnings in the Books

Today's Featured Research Reports

Costco’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Retail - Discount Stores industry over the year-to-date period (+14.6% vs. +13.1%). The company’s membership-driven model, purchasing scale, and compelling value proposition underpin its strong competitive position. Robust comparable sales, rising Executive membership penetration and healthy renewal rates reinforce recurring revenue and customer loyalty. 

Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand and expanding ancillary services support merchandise differentiation. Moreover, accelerating digital adoption, personalization initiatives, and enhanced delivery capabilities are strengthening omnichannel engagement. 

Meanwhile, Costco’s expanding global warehouse footprint provides significant opportunities for market-share gains and membership acquisition, backed by a solid balance sheet. Costco remains confident that competitive pricing, relevant merchandise assortments, and continued investments will sustain growth momentum.

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

Shares of Walt Disney have outperformed the Zacks Media Conglomerates industry over the past year (+2.5% vs. -11.8%). The company’s differentiated IP spanning Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and classic animation, more profitable streaming model and expanding Experiences footprint support durable monetization across platforms. 

Management expects fiscal 2026 Entertainment operating income to grow double digits, Sports operating income to rise mid-single digits and Experiences operating income to reach the high end of high-single-digit growth, all excluding the 53rd week. Fiscal Q4 2026 total segment operating income is guided to about $4.9 billion, including roughly $600 million from the extra week, which should lift revenues by about 1.5%-2%. 

However, softer domestic subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) advertising, mixed theatrical performance, Asia parks weakness, high content and capital spending and elevated borrowings temper the near-term outlook. 

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

Marriott’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Hotels and Motels industry over the past year (+51.8% vs. +34.1%). The company continues to benefit from broad travel demand, pricing power, steady room additions and a strong pipeline led by conversions. Growth in Marriott Bonvoy, new U.S. co-branded card agreements and technology investments are supporting fee growth and customer engagement. 

Management raised its full-year RevPAR, gross fee and adjusted EBITDA outlook following stronger-than-expected second-quarter results. Marriott is investing in technology and systems designed to drive direct bookings, strengthen loyalty engagement and improve hotel-level efficiency. 

However, Middle East disruption continues to weigh on international performance and may delay openings. Debt and interest costs remain elevated as Marriott funds investment and shareholder returns.

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

Shares of Park Aerospace have outperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry over the past year (+37.6% vs. -9.4%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $578.76 million sees its growth prospects supported by rising commercial aerospace demand, expanding GE Aerospace programs and accelerating missile production. Its sole-source position in the PAC-3 MSE program, Airbus A320neo production ramp-up and growing defense exposure strengthen revenue visibility. 

The Tulsa facility and ArianeGroup partnership should enhance manufacturing capacity and supply-chain resilience. First-half fiscal 2027 sales rose 23%, while operating earnings surged 66.2% and net earnings climbed 79.9%, highlighting improved profitability. 

However, customer concentration and dependence on aircraft manufacturing schedules could constrain revenue growth. Additionally, working-capital pressures and long-term supplier commitments may weigh on cash flow and financial flexibility. The stock trades at 5.66X EV/sales and 27.45X EV/EBITDA. 

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

Flanigan's shares have outperformed the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry over the past year (+59.7% vs. -9.2%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $92.13 million has diversified restaurant and liquor retail operations, rising customer traffic and effective pricing support revenue growth and profitability. Earnings, improving cash flow and disciplined procurement provide financial flexibility, while property investments offer long-term expansion opportunities. 

However, rising labor and operating expenses, softer alcohol consumption and greater pricing dependence remain concerns. Higher debt, interest expenses and capital requirements could constrain financial flexibility, while supply commitments and limited digital capabilities pose additional challenges. 

The valuation may offer upside potential for investors, although rising costs, higher debt and capital requirements warrant a measured approach. Sustained traffic growth, cost management and prudent capital allocation remain critical to its investment appeal.

(You can read the full research report on Flanigan's here >>>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) and Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

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>>>