We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights HSBC, Abbott, Shell and Oak Valley
Read MoreHide Full Article
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – December 5, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC - Free Report) , Abbott Laboratories (ABT - Free Report) , Shell plc (SHEL - Free Report) and Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Analyst Reports HSBC, Abbott and Shell
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 HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC - Free Report) , Abbott Laboratories (ABT - Free Report) and Shell plc (SHEL - Free Report) , as well as a micro-cap stock Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY - Free Report) . 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.
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.
HSBC's shares have outperformed the Zacks Banks - Foreign industry over the past year (+60.2% vs. +51.2%). The company's stock performance reflects strong shareholder returns and the success of its Asia pivot strategy despite macroeconomic headwinds. A robust capital position and an expansive global footprint will support financials.
As part of its focus on optimizing returns, the company is divesting operations in underperforming regions and has exited retail banking across multiple markets. Though these moves position it for improved operating efficiency, they are likely to temporarily weigh on revenue growth.
This, along with subdued loan demand, presents a near-term woe. Elevated costs tied to efforts to expand market share will hurt profits. Yet, business simplification and restructuring initiatives will fuel long-term growth. HSBC's partnership with Mistral AI is in sync with its restructuring plan and will help improve efficiency.
Shares of Abbott have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Products industry over the past year (+10.1% vs. -0.7%). The company's strong pipeline continues to open up new opportunities, supporting its 2025 outlook. The Medical Devices arm remains a key growth driver, led by the FreeStyle Libre CGM franchise, including the upcoming dual-analyte sensor integrating glucose and ketone monitoring.
In Diagnostics, Abbott's Alinity platforms and Point of Care tests are driving growth outside China, even as VBP-related pricing and volume pressures continue to create a drag. Abbott remains optimistic about its biosimilar strategy, which is expected to boost EPD sales. Within Nutrition, Abbott gains traction, driven by a strong Adult Nutrition and innovation across Ensure and Glucerna brands.
Yet, persistent challenges in the Diagnostics, along with tariff impacts, FX fluctuations, and macroeconomic headwinds, continue to weigh modestly on overall growth.
Shell's shares have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry over the past year (+21.9% vs. +10.6%). This London-based oil supermajor looks fairly balanced at the moment. The company's third quarter 2025 results highlight resilience and disciplined execution across its portfolio.
Strong LNG performance, robust upstream output from projects like Whale and Mero showcase solid cash generation and shareholder commitment. Strategic divestments and targeted reinvestments underscore capital discipline and support long-term transition goals.
However, revenue decline alongside rising operating costs is pressuring margins. Chemical and product earnings plunged 65%, revealing downstream weakness, and renewables remain minimally profitable. With stable fundamentals offset by cyclical and structural headwinds, a neutral stance is justified—balancing solid financial health against uneven growth and energy-transition uncertainty.
Shares of Oak Valley have underperformed the Zacks Banks - West industry over the past year (-6.4% vs. -5%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $235.54 million is witnessing headwinds which include margin pressure from rising deposit costs, a 10% jump in non-interest expenses, and sluggish 0.6% loan growth. CRE loans account for 87% of the portfolio, exposing the bank to sector-specific risk. Additionally, $32.4 million in unrealized securities losses have weighed on book value.
Nevertheless, Oak Valley Bancorp posted strong liquidity growth in 2025, with cash surging 46.5% to $247.2 million, supported by 4.7% deposit growth and a 5% rise in total assets. Credit quality remains pristine, with zero non-accrual loans and minimal charge-offs, reflecting disciplined underwriting.
Strategic expansion into Downtown Lodi boosts regional market presence and supports long-term growth. Dividend payouts rose 33% year over year, underlining a shareholder-friendly capital approach.
Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing Strategies
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights HSBC, Abbott, Shell and Oak Valley
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – December 5, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC - Free Report) , Abbott Laboratories (ABT - Free Report) , Shell plc (SHEL - Free Report) and Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Analyst Reports HSBC, Abbott and Shell
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 HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC - Free Report) , Abbott Laboratories (ABT - Free Report) and Shell plc (SHEL - Free Report) , as well as a micro-cap stock Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY - Free Report) . 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 >>> Jobless Claims Puzzlingly Light, Lowest in 3 Years
Today's Featured Research Reports
HSBC's shares have outperformed the Zacks Banks - Foreign industry over the past year (+60.2% vs. +51.2%). The company's stock performance reflects strong shareholder returns and the success of its Asia pivot strategy despite macroeconomic headwinds. A robust capital position and an expansive global footprint will support financials.
As part of its focus on optimizing returns, the company is divesting operations in underperforming regions and has exited retail banking across multiple markets. Though these moves position it for improved operating efficiency, they are likely to temporarily weigh on revenue growth.
This, along with subdued loan demand, presents a near-term woe. Elevated costs tied to efforts to expand market share will hurt profits. Yet, business simplification and restructuring initiatives will fuel long-term growth. HSBC's partnership with Mistral AI is in sync with its restructuring plan and will help improve efficiency.
(You can read the full research report on HSBC here >>>)
Shares of Abbott have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Products industry over the past year (+10.1% vs. -0.7%). The company's strong pipeline continues to open up new opportunities, supporting its 2025 outlook. The Medical Devices arm remains a key growth driver, led by the FreeStyle Libre CGM franchise, including the upcoming dual-analyte sensor integrating glucose and ketone monitoring.
In Diagnostics, Abbott's Alinity platforms and Point of Care tests are driving growth outside China, even as VBP-related pricing and volume pressures continue to create a drag. Abbott remains optimistic about its biosimilar strategy, which is expected to boost EPD sales. Within Nutrition, Abbott gains traction, driven by a strong Adult Nutrition and innovation across Ensure and Glucerna brands.
Yet, persistent challenges in the Diagnostics, along with tariff impacts, FX fluctuations, and macroeconomic headwinds, continue to weigh modestly on overall growth.
(You can read the full research report on Abbott here >>>)
Shell's shares have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry over the past year (+21.9% vs. +10.6%). This London-based oil supermajor looks fairly balanced at the moment. The company's third quarter 2025 results highlight resilience and disciplined execution across its portfolio.
Strong LNG performance, robust upstream output from projects like Whale and Mero showcase solid cash generation and shareholder commitment. Strategic divestments and targeted reinvestments underscore capital discipline and support long-term transition goals.
However, revenue decline alongside rising operating costs is pressuring margins. Chemical and product earnings plunged 65%, revealing downstream weakness, and renewables remain minimally profitable. With stable fundamentals offset by cyclical and structural headwinds, a neutral stance is justified—balancing solid financial health against uneven growth and energy-transition uncertainty.
(You can read the full research report on Shell here >>>)
Shares of Oak Valley have underperformed the Zacks Banks - West industry over the past year (-6.4% vs. -5%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $235.54 million is witnessing headwinds which include margin pressure from rising deposit costs, a 10% jump in non-interest expenses, and sluggish 0.6% loan growth. CRE loans account for 87% of the portfolio, exposing the bank to sector-specific risk. Additionally, $32.4 million in unrealized securities losses have weighed on book value.
Nevertheless, Oak Valley Bancorp posted strong liquidity growth in 2025, with cash surging 46.5% to $247.2 million, supported by 4.7% deposit growth and a 5% rise in total assets. Credit quality remains pristine, with zero non-accrual loans and minimal charge-offs, reflecting disciplined underwriting.
Strategic expansion into Downtown Lodi boosts regional market presence and supports long-term growth. Dividend payouts rose 33% year over year, underlining a shareholder-friendly capital approach.
(You can read the full research report on Oak Valley here >>>)
Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing Strategies
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached.
Get all the details here >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.