The Zacks Analyst Blog Morgan Stanley, Union Pacific, The Southern and Aware

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – November 7, 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 Morgan Stanley MS, Union Pacific Corp. UNP, The Southern Co. SO and Aware, Inc. AWRE.Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:Top Stock Reports for Morgan Stanley, Union Pacific and Southern Co.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 Morgan Stanley, Union Pacific Corp. and The Southern Co., as well as a micro-cap stock Aware, 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 >>> Pre-Markets Improve on Big Earnings Morning Today's Featured Research ReportsMorgan Stanley’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry over the year-to-date period (+34.4% vs. +33.3%). The company’s focus on wealth and asset management operations, along with its strategic alliances and acquisitions, will aid the top line. Its deal to buy EquityZen will help it tap the rapidly growing private markets landscape.The performance of the investment banking (IB) business will continue to be driven by a strong pipeline. The Zacks analyst project total revenues and IB fees to increase 11.7% and 12.8% in 2025, respectively. However, costs will remain elevated due to expansion efforts. The Zacks analyst projects total expenses to rise 9.1% in 2025.While trading revenues have been increasing, growth in the same might become challenging in the future because of the volatile nature of the business. Yet, the company’s efficient capital distributions reflect a solid balance sheet.(You can read the full research report on Morgan Stanley here >>>)Shares of Union Pacific have underperformed the Zacks Transportation - Rail industry over the year-to-date period (-3.1% vs. +2.4%). The company which recently inked a deal to buy Norfolk Southern, is suffering big time as e-commerce sales have normalized and consumer markets have softened.Geopolitical uncertainty and high inflation continue to hurt consumer sentiment. Reduced fuel surcharge revenues, too, are a concern. Due to these headwinds, volumes are suffering. Operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) remains under pressure, mainly due to revenue woes. Given the soft freight market scenario, the revenue weakness is likely to persist.To combat the revenue weakness, UNP is looking to cut costs. In the meantime, it continues to pay dividends. UNP is also active on the buyback front. Considering all these factors, investors are advised to wait for a better entry point. Our thesis is supported by the Neutral recommendation on the stock.(You can read the full research report on Union Pacific here >>>)Southern Company’s shares have gained +13.7% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry’s gain of +22.6%. This company, a leading U.S. electric utility in the Southeast, offers a solid opportunity with its recession-proof model, substantial load pipeline, and investments in regulated utilities like natural gas and battery storage.Southern Company’s strategic contracts and protective tariff structures provide a stable earnings outlook, while its $76 billion capital plan supports growth through grid modernization. Management has signaled a potential upward revision in earnings growth by 2027.However, Southern faces risks from its high leverage, which limits financial flexibility, and its cautious approach to nuclear energy may leave it behind peers. Also, regulatory challenges, economic slowdowns, and increasing competition from decentralized energy solutions pose threats. Therefore, the company warrants a cautious stance from investors.(You can read the full research report on Southern Company here >>>)Shares of Aware have gained +16.4% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Internet - Software and Services industry’s gain of +34.4%. This microcap company with a market capitalization of $47.34 million operates in a growing global market for secure, standards-aligned biometric identity solutions, leveraging its Awareness platform and AwareID to capture demand across financial, government and enterprise sectors. Its SaaS-first strategy is gaining traction, with recurring revenue comprising 69.3% of total sales and solid subscription revenues.Strong liquidity supports self-funded growth, while federal and enterprise contracts enhance visibility. Platform innovations enhance competitiveness. Yet license revenue remains volatile, recurring growth trails peers and cash burn persists amid higher fixed costs.Leadership transitions and slow commercial conversion pose execution risks. The valuation suggests investors are pricing in limited near-term growth, offering potential upside if AWRE executes on its SaaS transition and profitability goals.(You can read the full research report on Aware here >>>)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 Previewreports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>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 Morgan Stanley (MS): Free Stock Analysis Report Southern Company (The) (SO): Free Stock Analysis Report Union Pacific Corporation (UNP): Free Stock Analysis Report Aware, Inc. (AWRE): Get Free ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks