Top Analyst Reports for Exxon Mobil, Home Depot & IBM

Wednesday, July 16, 2025The 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 Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) and ISM Corp. (IBM), as well as a micro-cap stock Friedman Industries, Inc. (FRD). 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 >>> Strong Q2 Earnings, Cooling PPI Lead Pre-Markets HigherToday's Featured Research ReportsExxon Mobil’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry over the year-to-date period (+6.7% vs. +4.9%). The company’s high-value assets in the Permian Basin and Guyana drive robust production growth, doubling upstream earnings since 2019. The Pioneer acquisition and Guyana ramp-up have enhanced profitability, while a robust structural savings strengthen resilience. With a lower exposure to debt capital, XOM supports steady cash flows, dividends, buybacks and investments in high-return projects. The company reported better-than-expected Q1 earnings fueled by higher production from Guyana, Permian, and structural cost savings. Yet, refining profits weakened due to a significant fall in industry refining margins. The refining margin pressure intensifies the reliance on upstream operations which is vulnerable to fluctuating oil and gas prices. Commodity price volatility challenges profitability, especially as crude prices dipped due to the impact of OPEC+ output hikes.(You can read the full research report on Exxon Mobil here >>>)Shares of Home Depot have declined -1.3% over the past year against the Zacks Retail - Home Furnishings industry’s decline of -5.2%. The company faces softer demand in big-ticket discretionary categories, reflecting consumer caution amid high interest rates. Margin pressure, currency headwinds, and macroeconomic uncertainty also remain key risks. HD is also navigating a complex global trade environment, with rising tariffs. Nevertheless, the company continues to benefit from its progress in building an interconnected shopping experience, synergies from the SRS acquisition, expansion of its Pro ecosystem, strategic digital investments, and new store openings. These factors contributed to robust top-line growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, driven by increased engagement in Spring-related purchases and smaller-scale home improvement projects.(You can read the full research report on Home Depot here >>>)IBM’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Integrated Systems industry over the past year (+54.8% vs. +16.8%). The company is poised to benefit from strong demand for hybrid cloud and AI, driving growth in Software and Consulting. The company’s growth is expected to be driven primarily by analytics, cloud computing, and security in the long haul. The acquisition of Hakkoda has strengthened its data expertise and augmented its capability to support clients’ AI transformation initiatives. IBM is collaborating with SAP to tap generative AI technology within the retail industry. The collaboration is likely to facilitate higher productivity and help accelerate business transformation in consumer-packaged goods and retail firms. However, declining net sales in the Consulting segment, owing to soft demand in some end markets, are straining margins. Macroeconomic headwinds are worrisome. IBM’s frequent acquisitions have escalated integration risks.(You can read the full research report on IBM here >>>)Shares of Friedman Industries have gained +5.8% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Metal Products - Procurement and Fabrication industry’s gain of +9.9%. This microcap company, with a market capitalization of $112.03 million, is executing a value-driven transformation marked by tangible book value growth through strategic acquisitions, capital-efficient expansion (notably the high-margin Sinton facility) and disciplined capital allocation. The Sinton plant, now fully operational, delivers superior margins and supports long-term flat-roll growth. Hedging programs enhance margin stability amid steel price volatility, while flat-roll scale, customer diversification and geographic reach enhance stability.Yet, structural margin compression from falling prices and weak demand in both flat-roll and tubular segments, persistent inventory turnover risk, elevated debt and rising interest costs pose headwinds. Despite challenges, FRD’s low valuation and exposure to steel market tailwinds offer long-term upside with risks tied to pricing and execution.(You can read the full research report on Friedman Industries here >>>)Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Abbott Laboratories (ABT), ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW) and CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (CRWD).Mark VickerySenior EditorNote: 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 Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>Today's Must ReadExxonMobil's (XOM) Permian Basin & Guyana Assets Aid GrowthHome Depot's (HD) Focus on Pro Customers to Bolster GrowthIBM Rides on Strong Customer Addition in Software SegmentFeatured ReportsAbbott (ABT) EPD Gains in Emerging Space on Branded GenericsThe Zacks analyst is hopeful about Abbotts branded generics model which may help the company to further intensify its Established Pharmaceuticals Division (EPD) arm in key emerging countries.Growing Customer Base & Partnerships Aid ServiceNow (NOW)Per the Zacks analyst, ServiceNow benefits from rising adoption of its workflows from companies undergoing digital transformation. Also, expanding partner base is a tailwind.CrowdStrike (CRWD) Rides on Product Strength, AcquisitionsPer the Zacks analyst, CrowdStrike is gaining from solid contributions of its growth-oriented products, primarily Falcon platform. Also, buyouts like Adaptive Shield and Flow Security are positive.Strong Revenue Growth & Liquidity Aid Deutsche Bank (DB)Per the Zacks analyst, Deutsche Bank's rising revenues from capital-light units boost growth. Also, strong liquidity and stable deposits support capital distribution efforts.Acquisitions & Strong Balance Sheet Benefits Rollins (ROL)Per the Zacks analyst, buyouts accelerate Rollins' business development and expand its global reach. A robust balance sheet position strengthens financial stability, raising investor appeal.Investments, Clean Generation Focus Aid PPL Corporation (PPL)Per the Zacks analyst, PPL's strategic investment of $20 billion during 2025-2028 should strengthen its infrastructure. Focus on renewables projects should further boost margins.Cost Cuts Aid Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG) Amid Hawthorne WoesWhile the company faces headwinds in the Hawthorne segment, it should gain from supply-chain cost savings, leading to margin improvements, per the Zacks analyst. New UpgradesAffirm (AFRM) Rides On Active Merchant Numbers & GMV GrowthThe Zacks Analyst expects growth in Affirm's active merchant count and improvement in Gross Merchandise Value to drive its top line. New deals and expansions will further enhance performance.Strong Demand for Key Drugs Drive BioMarin's (BMRN) SalesWhile BioMarin's key drugs like Vimzim and Naglazyme continue to drive sales, the Zacks Analyst is encouraged by rapid uptake for dwarfism drug Voxzogo which has opened up a new sales opportunity.Sturdy Comps Run to Fuel Grocery Outlet's (GO) Top LinePer the Zacks analyst, Grocery Outlet's opportunistic purchasing, marketing efforts and new product offerings facilitate comparable-store sales growth. Management expects comps growth of 1-2% in 2025.New DowngradesU.S. Cellular (USM) Plagued by Soft Demand, Stiff CompetitionPer the Zacks analyst, intensifying competition in the wireless market combined with a declining postpaid and prepaid retail connections will likely hinder U.S. Cellular's top line.Rising Expenses Squeeze Acadia Healthcare's (ACHC) MarginsPer the Zacks analyst, rising salaries, benefits and supply costs are likely to keep pressuring Acadia Healthcare's margins. It is also still recovering from last year's reputational hit.Caesars (CZR) Struggles With Rising Costs & Regional SetbacksPer the Zacks analyst, Caesars Entertainment faces pressure from rising expenses and external challenges. Adverse weather events and localized disruptions have weighed on the company's operations. Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and SellsWe're not kidding.Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent. Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity.Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators, and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone.See Stocks 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 Abbott Laboratories (ABT): Free Stock Analysis Report International Business Machines Corporation (IBM): Free Stock Analysis Report Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM): Free Stock Analysis Report The Home Depot, Inc. (HD): Free Stock Analysis Report ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW): Free Stock Analysis Report Friedman Industries Inc. (FRD): Get Free Report CrowdStrike (CRWD): 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