The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Netflix, Salesforce, Shell, Investors Title and Smith-Midland

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – October 10, 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: Netflix, Inc. NFLX, Salesforce, Inc. CRM, Shell plc SHEL, Investors Title Co. ITIC and Smith-Midland Corp. SMID.Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:Top Analyst Reports for Netflix, Salesforce and ShellThe 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 Netflix, Inc., Salesforce, Inc. and Shell plc, as well as two micro-cap stocks Investors Title Co. and Smith-Midland 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 StreetThe 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 opening, 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 Flat as Q3 Earnings Season Kicks Off Today's Featured Research ReportsNetflix shares have outperformed the Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry over the year-to-date period (+36.6% vs. +31.6%). The company is benefiting from its growing subscriber base, thanks to a robust localized and foreign-language content portfolio and healthy engagement levels with about two hours of viewing per member per day, indicating strong member retention.NFLX's advertising tier now accounts for more than 55% of new sign-ups in available markets. NFLX has set an ambitious target to double its revenues by 2030 and reach a $1 trillion market capitalization, supported by a diversified content strategy, including international programming, live events, and gaming initiatives.The 2025 content slate with returning hit shows like Squid Game, Wednesday and Stranger Things hold promise. However, stiff competition in the streaming space from Apple, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ is a headwind.(You can read the full research report on Netflix here >>>)Shares of Salesforce have underperformed the Zacks Computer - Software industry over the year-to-date period (-28.2% vs. +22.1%). The company is facing stiff competition and unfavorable currency fluctuations are concerns. Softening IT spending amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties may hurt its growth prospects.Nevertheless, Salesforce is benefiting from a robust demand environment as customers are undergoing a major digital transformation. Its sustained focus on aligning products with customer needs is driving the top line.Continued deal wins in the international market are another growth driver. The buyout of Slack has positioned it as a leader in enterprise team collaboration and improved its competitive standing compared to Microsoft Teams.Salesforce's strategy of continuous expansion of generative AI offerings will help it tap the growing opportunities in the space. Our estimates suggest that Salesforce's revenues are expected to witness a CAGR of 8.6% through fiscal 2025-2028.(You can read the full research report on Salesforce here >>>)Shell's shares have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry over the year-to-date period (+22.2% vs. +9.4%). The company being a London based oil supermajor, looks fairly balanced at the moment. The start-up of LNG Canada and leadership in projects like Whale and Mero-4 strengthen its LNG and upstream portfolio, offering resilience against oil price volatility.Cost savings of nearly $4 billion since 2022 and a disciplined capital strategy underpin its free cash flow growth target, while consistent $3-3.5 billion quarterly buybacks and a 4% dividend yield enhance shareholder returns.However, the year over year fall in revenues and earnings in the second quarter of 2025 underscores exposure to commodity cycles. Weak chemicals margins, falling upstream production, and risks of LNG oversupply further weigh on outlook. Additionally, Shell's slower transition toward renewables raises ESG concerns. Hence investors are advised to hold the stock.(You can read the full research report on Shell here >>>)Shares of Investors Title have outperformed the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry over the past year (+24.6% vs. +9.2%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $492.79 million delivered robust H1 2025 results, with net premiums up 10.1% to $100.8 million and EPS rising 14.9% to $8.16, showcasing strong underwriting and operational efficiency. Non-title revenues climbed 17.2%, driven by like-kind exchange services, now contributing 25% of pre-tax income, enhancing earnings durability.A steady 46 cents per share quarterly dividend and ongoing buyback capacity highlight consistent shareholder returns. Geographic exposure to growth markets like TX (+15.2%) and FL (+20.7%) supports organic expansion. The firm's debt-free balance sheet with $90M in liquidity and $266 million equity provides strategic flexibility.However, rising claims reserves (+129.8%), higher agent commissions, and sensitivity to 1031 exchange reforms and interest rate volatility pose risks. Despite these, shares are up 10% YTD and trade at a discount (1.49x EV/sales vs. 2.36x sub-industry).(You can read the full research report on Investors Title here >>>)Smith-Midland's shares have gained +2.2% over the past year against the Zacks Building Products - Concrete and Aggregates industry's gain of +20.8%. This microcap company with a market capitalization of $190.49 million and an expanding barrier rental fleet is transforming its revenue model toward high-margin, recurring income, with rental revenue jumping to $14.2 million in the first half of 2025 and driving a 360bps margin gain.Growth in proprietary Soundwall and SlenderWall systems, alongside rising Easi-Set modular building sales, enhances diversification and captures infrastructure-driven demand. Royalties climbed 53%, reinforcing asset-light, high-margin income. Operating leverage and cost discipline doubled net income to $7.5 million. A $54-million backlog supports visibility amid infrastructure tailwinds.However, risks include customer concentration, dependence on one-off projects, unresolved internal control weaknesses, elevated working capital, and exposure to input cost inflation. As such, the stock warrants a cautious stance.(You can read the full research report on Smith-Midland here >>>)Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?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 access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@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.Zacks' Research Chief Picks Stock Most Likely to "At Least Double"Our experts have revealed their Top 5 recommendations with money-doubling potential – and Director of Research Sheraz Mian believes one is superior to the others. Of course, all our picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier recommendations like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.See Our Top Stock to Double (Plus 4 Runners Up) >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Salesforce Inc. (CRM): Free Stock Analysis Report Netflix, Inc. (NFLX): Free Stock Analysis Report Investors Title Company (ITIC): Free Stock Analysis Report Smith-Midland Corp. (SMID): Get Free Report Shell PLC Unsponsored ADR (SHEL): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks