Top Analyst Reports for Visa, Lam Research & Caterpillar

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

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 Visa Inc. (V), Lam Research Corp. (LRCX) and Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), as well as two micro-cap stocks Q.E.P. Co., Inc. (QEPC) and Altigen Communications, Inc. (ATGN). 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 >>>

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You can read today's AWS here >>> New Reports Show Cooling Economy, Bond Yields Climb

Today's Featured Research Reports

Visa’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry over the year-to-date period (+2.9% vs. -6.8%). The company’s third quarter earnings beat estimates. Its scale and brand strength keep it at the center of global digital payments, with growth still driven by higher payment volumes, cross-border activity, and increasing transaction counts. 

Fiscal Q3 2026 results showed broad momentum across consumer payments, commercial, and money movement solutions, and value-added services. Investments in agentic commerce and stablecoin settlement, alongside targeted acquisitions and disciplined capital returns, should continue to extend its network value over time. 

However, client incentives and marketing spend are rising while adjusted net margin decreased to 54.1% in fiscal Q3 2026. Cash activity remains uneven across regions, valuation is still rich and regulatory and litigation risks remain elevated. As such, we have a Neutral recommendation on the stock.

(You can read the full research report on Visa here >>>)

Shares of Lam Research have outperformed the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry over the year-to-date period (+92.2% vs. +36.7%). The company is benefiting from AI-driven investment in memory, leading-edge foundry and advanced packaging. Rising process complexity is increasing demand for etch and deposition tools, while NAND conversions, advanced DRAM and larger packages expand its served market. 

Customer Support is scaling through upgrades, high utilization and early adoption of Equipment Intelligence and Dextro services. Record fiscal 2026 results, higher margin targets and a sizable September-quarter outlook reinforce execution. Cash generation and capital returns add support. 

However, equipment spending remains cyclical, China exposure is volatile, and export controls can disrupt demand. Competition, capacity limits and international exposure also remain risks. Overall, structural AI demand and rising technology content support the Outperform view.

(You can read the full research report on Lam Research here >>>)

Caterpillar’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Manufacturing - Construction and Mining industry over the year-to-date period (+50.8% vs. +47.4%). The company’s outlook is supported by broad demand across construction, mining and power markets, with rising sales to users and a record backlog improving revenue visibility. Order momentum remains strong across all primary segments. Power & Energy is benefiting from data-center power needs and healthy oil and gas activity, while capacity additions expand the company’s ability to serve multi-year demand. 

The Construction Industries segment remains supported by infrastructure, rental fleet investment and large projects. Mining demand is aided by elevated fleet age, commodity investment and technology adoption. 

Higher services revenues and cash generation add resilience and support shareholder returns. While tariffs remain a headwind, improved volume, pricing and management’s higher full-year outlook support an Outperform view. 

(You can read the full research report on Caterpillar here >>>)

Shares of Q.E.P have outperformed the Zacks Tools - Handheld industry over the year-to-date period (+33.3% vs. +20.9%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $157.78 million has an investment case underpinned by strong liquidity, minimal leverage, healthy cash generation and resilient core-channel demand, providing flexibility to fund operations, invest selectively and return capital to shareholders. Stable gross profitability and reliable fulfillment further support the durability of the business despite subdued home-improvement spending.

However, tariff and inflation pressures, rising operating costs and weak end-market demand could constrain earnings recovery. High customer concentration and direct-sourcing competition also create meaningful structural risks, while covenant compliance and asbestos litigation remain additional uncertainties. 

The current valuation suggests investors are pricing in operational resilience and earnings stability, leaving limited room for upside without a meaningful improvement in growth.

(You can read the full research report on Q.E.P here >>>)

Altigen’s shares have gained +29.1% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Communication - Components industry’s gain of +108.1%. This microcap company with a market capitalization of $14.15 million has seen its cloud transition gaining momentum as new cloud revenues have begun exceeding legacy churn, supported by its largest-ever cloud customer, larger enterprise wins and an expanding AI portfolio. 

CoreInteract, CoreEngage and CoreInsights broaden its addressable market and create cross-selling opportunities, while the Fiserv relationship offers a scalable channel into financial services. Its installed MAXCloud and MaxCS base also provides a lower-friction path for cloud migrations and AI adoption. 

However, the company's fiscal third-quarter revenues fell 14.2%, margins compressed, and customer concentration remained high at 74% for the top five customers and resellers. Rising development spending and impairment risk add uncertainty. At 0.86X EV/sales, valuation remains below industry levels and historical medians. 

(You can read the full research report on Altigen here >>>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include The Allstate Corp. (ALL), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (HMC) and Insmed Inc. (INSM).

Mark Vickery
Senior Editor

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 Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>

Today's Must Read

Visa (V) Rides On Cross Border Volume Growth, Expenses High

AI Chip Manufacturing Tool Demand Aids Lam Research's (LRCX) Prospects

Record Backlog & Improving End-Market Demand Aid Caterpillar (CAT)

Featured Reports

Insmed (INSM) Rides on Sales Uptake for Bronchiectasis Drug
The Zacks Analyst believes the demand for Insmed's Brinsupri, the first treatment for non-CF bronchiectasis, is strong. The drug is expected to achieve blockbuster status in 2026.

SoFi Technologies (SOFI) Gains From Member Growth Amid Credit Risks
Per the Zacks analyst, SoFi Technologies gains from deposit-led funding, broader product adoption and fee-based revenues. Yet, reliance on personal loans and weak tech-platform economics raise risks.

Solid Originations Aid Ally Financial's (ALLY) Top Line Amid Cost Woes
Per the Zacks analyst, strong originations and balance sheet optimization will support Ally Financial's net financing revenues. Product launches and focus on core operations will elevate costs.

Record Backlog, Higher Deliveries Support Growth at Embraer (EMBJ)
Per the Zacks analyst, Embraer benefits from a record backlog supported by strong demand across markets. Higher aircraft deliveries will also boost its growth.

Scaled User Base Drives Duolingo (DUOL) Amid Margin Compression
Per the Zacks analyst, Duolingo's scale and rapid product iteration underpin long-term optionality and ensure stability. Advertising costs and broader AI rollout pressure the margin.

V.F. Corporation's (VFC) Transformation Advances Despite Vans Woes
Per the Zacks analys, V.F. Corporation's raised fiscal 2027 outlook reflects stronger Outdoor momentum, cost savings and balance-sheet progress, though Vans weakness remains a key risk.

BlackBerry (BB) Buoyed by QNX & Secure Comms Strength, Healthy Margins
Per the Zacks analyst, continued design wins across the QNX and Secure Communications divisions cushion BlackBerry's top-line. Strong revenue and cost control drive higher profit margins.

New Upgrades

Allstate (ALL) Rides On Solid Protection Services Business
Per the Zacks analyst, Allstate's expanding Protection Services business offers diversification advantages that continues to support the company's top-line growth.

Hybrid Demand, Financial Services Sales Boost Honda's (HMC) Prospects
Per the Zacks analyst, HEVs remain Honda's core growth area over the next several years, especially in North America. Financial Services business also supports growth.

Inspire Medical (INSP) Rides on Clinical Gains, Market Expansion
Per the Zacks analyst, reimbursement recovery, clinical evidence, expanding patient access and a large underpenetrated U.S. market is supporting Inspire Medical's growth outlook.

New Downgrades

California Resources (CRC) Faces Commodity Headwinds
The Zacks analyst believes that California Resources faces earnings volatility from commodity swings, while falling 2026 EPS estimates and higher costs could pressure returns.

Margin Compression in China, Weakness in Europe to Ail Adient (ADNT)
Per the Zacks analyst, revenue growth in China is not likely to translate into an increase in profitability, resulting in margin compression. Volume weakness in Europe also remains a concern.

Caesars Entertainment (CZR) Faces Las Vegas and Margin Headwinds
Per the Zacks analyst, softer Las Vegas visitation, hotel rates and table play, along with weaker Digital margins, continue to weigh on Caesars Entertainment's prospects.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research