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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Eli Lilly, Shell, ICICI Bank, Frequency Electronics and Vaso
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – December 23, 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: Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY - Free Report) , Shell plc (SHEL - Free Report) , ICICI Bank Ltd. (IBN - Free Report) , Frequency Electronics, Inc. (FEIM - Free Report) and Vaso Corp. (VASO - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Analyst Reports for Eli Lilly, Shell and ICICI Bank
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 Eli Lilly and Co., Shell plc and ICICI Bank Ltd., as well as two micro-cap stocks Frequency Electronics, Inc. and Vaso Corp.. 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.
Eli Lilly's shares have outperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the past year (+35.6% vs. +18.1%). Demand for the company's popular GLP-1 drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, remains strong, making them the company's key top-line drivers. Launches of these drugs in new international markets and improved supply from ramped-up production have led to strong year-to-date sales in 2025.
Lilly's other new drugs like Kisunla, Omvoh and Jaypirca are also contributing to its top-line growth. Lilly is also making rapid pipeline progress in obesity and diabetes with an oral GLP-1 obesity pill, orforglipron, expected to be launched next year.
Declining sales of Trulicity, rising pricing pressure on some drugs and potential competition in the GLP-1 diabetes/obesity market are some top-line headwinds.
Shares of Shell have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry over the past year (+22.7% vs. +14.3%). This oil supermajor, based in London, looks fairly balanced at the moment. Shell'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.
ICICI Bank's shares have underperformed the Zacks Banks - Foreign industry over the past year (-0.9% vs. +62.9%). The company's weak asset quality is a major headwind and which will likely hurt financials. Moreover, several macroeconomic concerns make us apprehensive about the company's growth prospects.
Also, rising operating expenses, primarily driven by technological investments and branch expansion, are expected to hurt bottom-line expansion to some extent in the near term. Nevertheless, ICICI Bank's increased dependence on domestic loans, strong retail loan demand, relatively higher interest rates and a stable funding base are expected to support its financials.
The company's efforts to digitize banking operations for retail and corporate clients, including cross-selling and upselling opportunities, are expected to continue supporting non-interest income.
Shares of Frequency Electronics have outperformed the Zacks Instruments - Control industry over the past six months (+122.3% vs. -4.7%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $470.5 million is capitalizing on strong momentum from U.S. defense contracts, securing multi-year government awards, such as the $3.1 million Patriot Missile system deal and $4.8 million in airborne synchronization orders.
Frequency Electronics' $82 million backlog, up 17% in six months, offers near-term revenue visibility, with 69% realizable within 12 months. The revenue mix is shifting toward defense, with non-space government work now 70% of sales. FEIM's Rubidium Atomic Clocks provide a technological edge in military avionics, reinforcing competitive positioning. A $20 million share repurchase plan supports shareholder returns.
However, gross margin contraction, a 58% drop in operating income, declining operating cash flow, and a shrinking high-margin satellite base present risks.
Vaso's shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Instruments industry over the past six months (+30.8% vs. +16.8%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $29.47 million operates a diversified three-segment model with improving revenue visibility, supported by rising deferred revenue and milestone-based billing that enhances predictability in seasonally strong periods.
The extension of its exclusive GE HealthCare sales agreement through 2030 anchors a significant share of revenue and supports long-term stability, while a debt-free balance sheet provides flexibility. Operating performance has improved with a return to quarterly profitability and a divestiture that supports focus on recurring IT services.
Key risks include heavy reliance on GE HealthCare, elevated SG&A that limits operating leverage, weak SaaS traction and underperformance in the equipment segment. Cash flow strength remains partly working-capital driven. The valuation indicates both potential upside and ongoing execution and scalability risks.
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.
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Eli Lilly, Shell, ICICI Bank, Frequency Electronics and Vaso
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – December 23, 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: Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY - Free Report) , Shell plc (SHEL - Free Report) , ICICI Bank Ltd. (IBN - Free Report) , Frequency Electronics, Inc. (FEIM - Free Report) and Vaso Corp. (VASO - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Analyst Reports for Eli Lilly, Shell and ICICI Bank
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 Eli Lilly and Co., Shell plc and ICICI Bank Ltd., as well as two micro-cap stocks Frequency Electronics, Inc. and Vaso Corp.. 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 >>> Pre-Markets Continue Higher. PSKY Not Done Pursuing WBD
Today's Featured Research Reports
Eli Lilly's shares have outperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the past year (+35.6% vs. +18.1%). Demand for the company's popular GLP-1 drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, remains strong, making them the company's key top-line drivers. Launches of these drugs in new international markets and improved supply from ramped-up production have led to strong year-to-date sales in 2025.
Lilly's other new drugs like Kisunla, Omvoh and Jaypirca are also contributing to its top-line growth. Lilly is also making rapid pipeline progress in obesity and diabetes with an oral GLP-1 obesity pill, orforglipron, expected to be launched next year.
Declining sales of Trulicity, rising pricing pressure on some drugs and potential competition in the GLP-1 diabetes/obesity market are some top-line headwinds.
(You can read the full research report on Eli Lilly here >>>)
Shares of Shell have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry over the past year (+22.7% vs. +14.3%). This oil supermajor, based in London, looks fairly balanced at the moment. Shell'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 >>>)
ICICI Bank's shares have underperformed the Zacks Banks - Foreign industry over the past year (-0.9% vs. +62.9%). The company's weak asset quality is a major headwind and which will likely hurt financials. Moreover, several macroeconomic concerns make us apprehensive about the company's growth prospects.
Also, rising operating expenses, primarily driven by technological investments and branch expansion, are expected to hurt bottom-line expansion to some extent in the near term. Nevertheless, ICICI Bank's increased dependence on domestic loans, strong retail loan demand, relatively higher interest rates and a stable funding base are expected to support its financials.
The company's efforts to digitize banking operations for retail and corporate clients, including cross-selling and upselling opportunities, are expected to continue supporting non-interest income.
(You can read the full research report on ICICI Bank here >>>)
Shares of Frequency Electronics have outperformed the Zacks Instruments - Control industry over the past six months (+122.3% vs. -4.7%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $470.5 million is capitalizing on strong momentum from U.S. defense contracts, securing multi-year government awards, such as the $3.1 million Patriot Missile system deal and $4.8 million in airborne synchronization orders.
Frequency Electronics' $82 million backlog, up 17% in six months, offers near-term revenue visibility, with 69% realizable within 12 months. The revenue mix is shifting toward defense, with non-space government work now 70% of sales. FEIM's Rubidium Atomic Clocks provide a technological edge in military avionics, reinforcing competitive positioning. A $20 million share repurchase plan supports shareholder returns.
However, gross margin contraction, a 58% drop in operating income, declining operating cash flow, and a shrinking high-margin satellite base present risks.
(You can read the full research report on Frequency Electronics here >>>)
Vaso's shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Instruments industry over the past six months (+30.8% vs. +16.8%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $29.47 million operates a diversified three-segment model with improving revenue visibility, supported by rising deferred revenue and milestone-based billing that enhances predictability in seasonally strong periods.
The extension of its exclusive GE HealthCare sales agreement through 2030 anchors a significant share of revenue and supports long-term stability, while a debt-free balance sheet provides flexibility. Operating performance has improved with a return to quarterly profitability and a divestiture that supports focus on recurring IT services.
Key risks include heavy reliance on GE HealthCare, elevated SG&A that limits operating leverage, weak SaaS traction and underperformance in the equipment segment. Cash flow strength remains partly working-capital driven. The valuation indicates both potential upside and ongoing execution and scalability risks.
(You can read the full research report on Vaso 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 >>
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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.