The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Walmart, Alibaba, Shell, Omega Flex and Weyco

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – September 11, 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: Walmart Inc. WMT, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. BABA, Shell plc SHEL, Omega Flex, Inc. OFLX and Weyco Group, Inc. WEYS.Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:Top Analyst Reports for Walmart, Alibaba & 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 Walmart Inc., Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Shell plc, as well as two micro-cap stocks Omega Flex, Inc. and Weyco Group, Inc. 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 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 >>> PPI Cools Notably: Is a 50 bps Rate Cut in the Works?Today's Featured Research ReportsShares of Walmart have gained +13.4% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Retail - Supermarkets industry's gain of +14.2%. The company is benefiting from the inherent strength of its highly diversified business model. The company's strong omnichannel strategy has boosted traffic at physical stores and digital platforms.Walmart's focus on improving delivery services is successful, leading to steady grocery market share gains. Upsides like these, along with growth in newer ventures like advertising and membership, fueled second-quarter fiscal 2026 results, wherein earnings and revenues increased year over year, and e-commerce sales surged. For the fiscal third quarter, management expects consolidated net sales growth of 3.75-4.75% at constant currency.However, the company has been witnessing deleveraged operating expenses for a while now. In addition, tariff-related woes remain concerning.(You can read the full research report on Walmart here >>>)Alibaba's shares have outperformed the Zacks Internet - Commerce industry over the year-to-date period (+73.9% vs. +15.9%). The company reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 results with total revenue of $34.5 billion, up 2% year-over-year. Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders surged 78% to $6 billion. Diluted earnings per ADS reached $2.51, while adjusted earnings per ADS declined 10% to $2.06.China E-commerce segment revenue grew 10% to $19.5 billion, International Digital Commerce rose 19% to $4.8 billion, and Cloud Intelligence Group expanded 26% to $4.6 billion driven by AI demand. The company maintained strong liquidity with $81.75 billion in cash and investments.Despite revenue growth, adjusted earnings declined amid competitive pressures and higher operational costs in key segments. Growing macroeconomic uncertainties and unfavorable foreign exchange fluctuations remain risks.(You can read the full research report on Alibaba here >>>)Shares of Shell have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry over the year-to-date period (+19.4% vs. +7.9%). This company which is 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 >>>)Omega Flex's shares have underperformed the Zacks Steel - Pipe and Tube industry over the year-to-date period (-17.2% vs. +2.8%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $344.22 million is facing challenges which include a 15% Y/Y drop in operating profit, flat sales, rising R&D and overhead costs, and persistent legal liability exposure.Heavy reliance on cyclical U.S. construction adds risk amid macro softness. Valuation is mixed: EV/Sales at 2.91x (above industry, below sector/market) and EV/EBITDA at 13.64x (above industry, below S&P).Nevertheless, Omega Flex maintains a strong balance sheet with $50.7 million in cash and no debt, offering flexibility to fund growth, dividends and acquisitions without financial strain. Stable dividends highlight consistent shareholder returns backed by solid cash flows.Growth is supported by global construction trends, green building adoption, and expansion into healthcare infrastructure via MediTrac, which provides faster, safer alternatives to copper systems. International presence, particularly in Europe, offers diversification and scaling potential beyond the United States.(You can read the full research report on Omega Flex here >>>)Shares of Weyco have underperformed the Zacks Shoes and Retail Apparel industry over the year-to-date period (-18.7% vs. -3.4%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $286.09 million have seen its profitability strained due to weak volumes, tariff-driven margin compression and retailer caution. Legacy dress and casual categories face structural headwinds, while international operations offer limited offset.Inventory buildup adds liquidity risk. Shares are down 20% YTD, and are trading at steep discounts (0.74x EV/Sales, 5.87x EV/EBITDA) vs peers. Nevertheless, Weyco maintains a debt-free balance sheet with $78.5 million in cash/securities and ample credit capacity, providing flexibility to navigate macro uncertainty, tariff pressures and sustain shareholder returns.Operating cash flow of $14.4 million in 1H25 funded $5 million in dividends and $3.1 million in buybacks, underscoring disciplined capital allocation. Shareholder returns remain central. Supply chain diversification — reducing the China exposure to 60% and expanding into Vietnam, Cambodia and India — enhances sourcing resilience.(You can read the full research report on Weyco 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.7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysJust released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.5% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >>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 Walmart Inc. (WMT): Free Stock Analysis Report Weyco Group, Inc. (WEYS): Free Stock Analysis Report Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA): Free Stock Analysis Report Omega Flex, Inc. (OFLX): 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