Top Stock Reports for Walmart, Intuitive Surgical & Lam Research

Wednesday, November 19, 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 Walmart Inc. (WMT), Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) and Lam Research Corp. (LRCX), as well as a micro-cap stock BV Financial, Inc. (BVFL). 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.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.Today's Featured Research ReportsShares of Walmart have gained +11.7% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Retail - Supermarkets industry’s gain of +13.2%. 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 cc. However, the company has been witnessing deleveraged operating expenses for a while now. In addition, tariff-related woes remain concerning.Intuitive Surgical’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Instruments industry over the year-to-date (+6.6% vs. +0.8%). The company delivered a strong third-quarter, beating revenue and EPS estimates. The da Vinci 5 system gained momentum with 240 U.S. placements, raising its installed base to 929, alongside approvals in Europe and Japan for phased rollout. Utilization surpassed the Xi platform, supported by force feedback and Case Insights, while rising trade-ins highlighted upgrade demand. Global procedures grew 19% year over year, with 16% growth in the U.S. and 24% OUS, driven by benign general and non-urology surgeries in India, Korea, and distributor markets. System placements totaled 427, showing strong demand. However, gross margin slipped on higher costs and tariffs, while OUS markets remain pressured by budget constraints. Medicaid policy uncertainty is a risk, but ISRG raised 2025 growth guidance to 17–17.5% and margins to 67–67.5%.Shares of Lam Research have outperformed the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry over the year-to-date (+109.3% vs. +35.2%). The company is riding on its strength across 3D DRAM and advanced packaging technologies. Growing etch and deposition intensity owing to increasing technology inflections in 3D architectures is a plus. A rebound in the System business due to improving memory spending is an upside. Strategic investments in research and development activities position it well to capitalize on the growing wafer fab equipment (WFE) spending. Foundry/logic, DRAM and NAND investments are expected to be higher year over year. Solid demand related to high-bandwidth memory is a plus. The Zacks analyst model estimates suggest total revenues are expected to witness a CAGR of 8.5% through fiscal 2026 to 2028. However, global spending on mature nodes is likely to remain soft in the near term. Growing trade and tariff tensions between the United States and China are a concern.BV Financial’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Banks - Northeast industry over the past year (+3.9% vs. -5.5%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $152.35 million offers a balanced risk/reward profile, supported by disciplined loan growth, robust capital management, and a conservative balance sheet. Loans reached $746.1 million in Q3 2025, driven by commercial and CRE lending, while delinquencies remained low at 0.47%. An $8.2 million allowance for credit losses underscores its underwriting strength. BV Financial returned $18 million via buybacks, boosting EPS and book value per share, while eliminating $15 million in FHLB debt, reducing funding risk. Liquidity remains strong with $63.5 million in cash. However, rising deposit costs (+$7.9 million interest expense YTD), operating expense inflation (+29% in comp), and heavy CRE concentration (52.7% of loans) pose earnings risks. Weak fee income and limited digital treasury services constrain revenue diversification. Shares trade at a discount (0.89x P/B), underperforming sector averages.Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR), APA Corp. (APA) and Ormat Technologies, Inc. (ORA).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 ReadWalmart (WMT) Benefits from Impressive E-Commerce OperationsIntuitive Surgical's (ISRG) da Vinci System Helps Offset RisksLam Research (LRCX) Benefits From Traction in 3D DRAMFeatured ReportsAUM Growth Supports KKR and Co. (KKR), Amid Rising Operating ExpensesPer the Zacks analyst, KKR's expanding investment strategies continue to drive assets under management (AUM) growth. Yet, rising commission and compensation expenses may pressure profitability.APA Corporation (APA) to Gain from Suriname PortfolioThe Zacks analyst believes that APA's on schedule progress toward mid-2028 first oil points to significant cash flow potential but is worried about the exposure to oil price fluctuations.Acquisitions Aid Ormat Technologies (ORA) Amid Poor SolvencyPer the Zacks analyst, Ormat Technologies is likely to benefit from profitable strategic acquisitions and power purchase agreements. Yet its poor financial ratios indicate weak solvency position.Qualys (QLYS) Rides on Product Strength, Marketing EffortsPer the Zacks analyst, Qualys benefits from expanding product capabilities, which helps it gain customers. Increasing marketing efforts are also an upside.IB Business Revival Aids Moelis and Company (MC), Higher Costs AilPer the Zacks analyst, the revival of investment banking (IB) activities, organic growth and global expansion will keep aiding Moelis and Company's financials, while rising expenses remain a concern.Strength in HBP Segment to Aid Griffon (GFF) Amid High DebtPer the Zacks analyst, Griffon's Home and Building Products (HBP) segment is fueled by robust activity in the residential market. However, high debt remains a woe for the company.Syfovre Sales Drive Apellis' (APLS) Revenues, Overdependence a WoePer the Zacks Analyst, Syfovre is driving the topline and has potential for label expansion. However, APLS' heavy reliance on its sales for growth, amid rising competition, adds risk.New UpgradesRobust Public Spending and Miller Acquisition Benefit EMCOR (EME)Per the Zacks analyst, EMCOR is gaining from robust public infrastructure spending, with major growth seen in the network and communications sector. Also, Miller Electric's buyout bodes well.Radian Group (RDN) is Set to Grow on New Insurance WrittenPer the Zacks analyst, Radian is set to grow on new insurance written aided by strong mortgage origination market, higher refinance activity and higher private mortgage insurance penetration rates.Blackbaud (BLKB) Gains on Strong Portfolio and Share BuybackPer the Zacks analyst, Blackbaud is gaining from a robust product portfolio, a steady share repurchases strategy, and margin expansion, which is contributing to growth momentum.New DowngradesHigh Expenses and Rising Competition Hurt Booz Allen (BAH)Per the Zacks analyst, investments in scaling operations and expanding the workforce to meet growing demand are hiking Booz Allen's operating expenses. Rising competition is another overhang.Schneider (SNDR) Grapples With Challenging Insurance DynamicsThe Zacks Analyst is worried about the fact that the adverse effect of claims costs has led to SNDR full-year tempered earnings outlook. Macro-economic uncertainty continues to remain an overhangHain Celestial (HAIN) Faces Pressure as North America SlowsPer the Zacks analyst, Hain Celestial's soft North America performance remains a headwind, with Q1 organic sales down due to weaker snack volumes and persistent regional challenges.#1 Semiconductor Stock to Buy (Not NVDA)The incredible demand for data is fueling the market's next digital gold rush. As data centers continue to be built and constantly upgraded, the companies that provide the hardware for these behemoths will become the NVIDIAs of tomorrow.One under-the-radar chipmaker is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. It specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be.See This Stock Now for Free >>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 APA Corporation (APA): Free Stock Analysis Report Walmart Inc. (WMT): Free Stock Analysis Report Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG): Free Stock Analysis Report Lam Research Corporation (LRCX): Free Stock Analysis Report KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR): Free Stock Analysis Report Ormat Technologies, Inc. (ORA): Free Stock Analysis Report BV Financial, Inc. (BVFL): 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