Top Analyst Reports for ExxonMobil, Automatic Data Processing & Cadence

Friday, September 25, 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 ExxonMobil Holdings Corp. (XOM), Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) and Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS), as well a micro-cap stock BranchOut Food Inc. (BOF). 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 >>> Pre-Markets Higher Despite Increasing Bond Yields

Today's Featured Research Reports

ExxonMobil’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry over the year-to-date period (+37.4% vs. +14.9%). The company’s investment case remains balanced between advantaged upstream growth and persistent market risk.

Record Permian output, continued Guyana development and LNG expansion support long-duration production and cash flow, while structural cost savings and low leverage strengthen financial flexibility and shareholder returns.  However, earnings remain exposed to volatile oil, gas, refining and chemical markets, with Middle East disruptions adding operating uncertainty. 

The pause of the Baytown blue hydrogen project due to insufficient demand also highlights weaker commercial visibility for emerging businesses and greater policy sensitivity. Product Solutions results can swing sharply with market conditions, while returns from newer investments depend on execution, customer adoption and durable demand over time.

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

Shares of Automatic Data Processing have gained +4.6% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Internet - Software industry’s gain of +11.7%. The company’s global scale, broad HCM suite and AI-enabled service model support steady revenue growth and operating efficiency.

Automatic Data Processingss expanding enterprise offerings and targeted acquisitions deepen workforce management and compensation capabilities, while recurring cash generation supports dividends and share repurchases. However, the PEO business faces margin compression from zero-margin benefit pass-throughs, workers’ compensation and selling costs. 

Competition for clients and skilled associates remains a risk and Employer Services retention is expected to ease modestly. Regulatory complexity also raises execution demands across ADP’s footprint, even as it supports demand for compliance expertise. The Zacks analyst maintain a Neutral recommendation on it in anticipation of a cheaper entry for investors.

(You can read the full research report on Automatic Data Processing here >>>)

Cadence’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Software industry over the year-to-date period (+3% vs. -5%). The company is benefiting from higher design complexity and rising customer spend on AI-driven automation. Amid rapid AI expansion, the Cadence.ai portfolio has been gaining strength and the new product launches (like ChipStack, ViraStack and InnoStack AI Super Agents) are expected to aid in sustaining the momentum. 

The hardware systems continue to gain traction from AI, high-performance computing ("HPC"), robotics and automotive companies. Record backlog and a higher 2026 revenue outlook support visibility, while recurring revenues remain a stabilizing feature of the model. 

Management now expects 2026 revenues in the band of $6.26-$6.34 billion compared with $5.3 billion in 2025. Stiff competition in the EDA space, along with heavy reliance on international markets and high goodwill and intangible assets on the balance sheet, remain concerns. 

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

Shares of BranchOut Food have outperformed the Zacks Food - Miscellaneous industry over the year-to-date period (+22.3% vs. -0.7%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $63.25 million has its investment case increasingly supported by better revenue visibility, expanding recurring retail programs, a growing ingredient business and broader product applications. 

Rising factory utilization and improved sourcing could strengthen unit economics as production scales, while European private-label opportunities add another potential growth channel. However, the outlook remains balanced by meaningful execution and financial risks. Liquidity remains tight, growth requires substantial working capital, and continued financing could lead to dilution. 

Manufacturing is concentrated at a single facility, while customer concentration remains high. Sustained operating leverage will depend on converting higher volumes into improved profitability while keeping manufacturing and corporate costs under control.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include FirstEnergy Corp. (FE), Gen Digital Inc. (GEN) and BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. (BBIO).

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

Advantaged Upstream Growth & LNG Expansion to Aid ExxonMobil (XOM)

Buyouts Aid Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Amid Rising Talent Costs

Cadence (CDNS) Rides on AI Advancements & Design Activity

Featured Reports

Data Center Demand and Grid Investment Aid FirstEnergy Corp.(FE)
Per the Zacks analyst, FirstEnergy Corp. benefits from rising contracted and pipeline data-center demand. Its grid investments strengthen reliability and support long-term earnings growth.

Gen Digital (GEN) Rides on Product and Customer Strength
Per the Zacks analyst, Gen Digital is gaining from solid demand for ID theft protection solutions such as dark web monitoring and ID advisor. Continued stabilization of customer count is a positive.

BridgeBio's (BBIO) New Potential Launches to Cut Dependency on Attruby
The Zacks analyst is encouraged by BridgeBio's potential product launches over the next 12 months. Three candidates are under FDA review, with the earliest approval decision expected before 2026-end.

Kirby (KEX) Benefits From Share Buyback Amid Rising Expenses
Per the Zacks analyst, rewarding shareholders through share buybacks boosts investor confidence and positively impacts Kirby's bottom line. Rising expenses continue to act as a concern.

Uranium Energy (UEC) Bets on Growth Projects, Execution Risks Remain
As per the Zacks analyst, Uranium Energy is poised to gain from its two operating in-situ recovery platforms and project pipeline. However elevated costs and regulatory delays remain risks.

Fastly's (FSLY) Platform Expansion Supports Growth Amid Rising Risks
Fastly benefits from deeper platform adoption, improving margins and cross-sell opportunities, but traffic volatility, pricing pressure and customer concentration temper the outlook.

Retail Growth & Cost Discipline Aid Cracker Barrel (CBRL)
Per the Zacks analyst, Cracker Barrel benefits from retail sales growth, lower costs and disciplined expense management. Also, improving guest metrics and loyalty engagement bode well.

New Upgrades

Teleflex (TFX) Streamlines Portfolio as Vascular Arm Gains Ground
The Zacks analyst is positive on Teleflex's focused portfolio, supported by Vascular growth, innovation, debt reduction and share repurchases that strengthen its long-term outlook.

Aerospace & Transportation Unit Benefits Constellium (CSTM)
Per the Zacks analyst, Constellium's Aerospace & Transportation segment is driven by higher revenue per ton, including higher metal prices. Its shareholder-friendly measures are encouraging.

Transaction Growth & AI Workflows Aid BILL Holdings (BILL) Prospects
Per the Zacks analyst, BILL Holdings gains from rising transaction activity, wider product adoption and AI workflows. Partnerships expand distribution, while spend tools deepen customer engagement.

New Downgrades

On Holding AG (ONON) Faces Tariff, Cost Pressures Outlook
Per the Zacks analyst, ONON faces tariff uncertainty and rising SG&A costs as reinvestment in brand, retail and capacity expansion weighs on profitability.

Elevated Costs, Regulatory Risks Weigh on Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Per the Zacks analyst, steadily mounting operating costs are expected to hurt Interactive Brokers. International complexity and capital efficiency risks could restrain future returns for shareholders.

Virtu Financial (VIRT) Gains from Market Making unit, Expenses High
Per the Zacks Analyst, Virtu Financial's Market Making segment is well-poised for growth due to growing retail engagement. However, elevated expenses are putting pressure on its margins.

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

Zacks Investment Research