Top Analyst Reports for Walmart, Visa & Novo Nordisk

Tuesday, October 13, 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 Walmart Inc. (WMT), Visa Inc. (V) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO), as well as two micro-cap stocks Village Super Market, Inc. (VLGEA) and Empire Petroleum Corp. (EP). 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 >>> Mixed Pre-Markets Greet Fresh Q3 Earnings Reports

Today's Featured Research Reports

Walmart’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Retail - Supermarkets industry over the past year (+6.3% vs. +5.3%). The company’s value positioning and integrated omnichannel model provide a strong foundation for sustained growth. Traffic and market-share gains remain healthy, while e-commerce, marketplace, advertising and membership are expanding the revenue mix and improving digital economics. 

International operations and Sam’s Club add further diversification. However, elevated operating costs, pharmacy-related sales pressure and heavy capital spending can limit earnings leverage and free-cash-flow conversion. 

Continued price reinvestment supports customer loyalty and share gains but may restrain margin expansion, while currency swings can add volatility. While Walmart’s fundamentals remain resilient, stronger returns will depend on disciplined execution, productivity gains and successful monetization of its expanding retail ecosystem.

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

Shares of Visa have outperformed the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry over the past year (+12.6% vs. -6.5%). The company’s 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 rising 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, along with targeted acquisitions and disciplined capital returns, should continue to enhance the value of its network over time. 

However, rising client incentives and marketing expenses are weighing on V’s profitability, with adjusted net margin declining to 54.1% in fiscal Q3 2026. Cash activity remains uneven across regions, while the valuation remains elevated and regulatory and litigation risks persist. As such, we have a Neutral rating on the shares.

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

Novo Nordisk’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the past year (-29.6% vs. +30%). That the company raised its 2026 outlook offers limited comfort, as intensifying competition, pricing pressure and higher spending continue to weigh on growth, clouding hopes for a near-term turnaround. 

Nevertheless, Novo Nordisk was recently rebranded as Novo. Its semaglutide drugs for obesity and diabetes continue to drive growth through volume gains. Label expansions in other indications will likely boost sales. Higher-dose Wegovy is approved in the EU and the United States, which is a positive. 

Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill secured FDA approval for obesity and has already surpassed five million prescriptions since launch. Wegovy pill is also approved in the EU. The Ozempic pill has also been launched in the U.S. market for diabetes. Partnerships with OpenAI, AWS and Anthropic to boost drug discovery are a positive. 

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

Shares of Village Super Market have outperformed the Zacks Retail - Supermarkets industry over the past year (+37.6% vs. +5.3%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $650.88 million has seen its fiscal 2026 revenues increase 3.7%, supported by steady same-store sales growth, expanding digital demand and strong fresh-food performance. Robust operating cash flow of $108.8 million provides flexibility to fund expansion, store modernization and consistent dividends. 

Planned store openings in fiscal 2027 could drive incremental revenues, while its Wakefern affiliation offers purchasing efficiencies and competitive advantages. Established retail brands, loyalty programs and differentiated merchandising further strengthen customer engagement and market positioning. 

However, the company faces pressures from declining gross margins, rising operating expenses and increased promotional spending. Additionally, its heavily unionized workforce and potential pension obligations could increase operating costs. The stock trades at a discount to industry peers on an EV/sales and EV/EBITDA basis.

(You can read the full research report on Village Super Market here >>>)

Empire Petroleum’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - United States industry over the past year (-14.9% vs. +43.9%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $135.21 million has seen persistent liquidity constraints, negative operating cash flow and reliance on external financing. These remain significant concerns, increasing the potential for shareholder dilution. 

Declining production, elevated operating costs, commodity-price volatility and limited hedging further complicate the outlook. Moreover, uncertainty surrounding regulatory resolution in New Mexico and execution risks across development projects could delay anticipated benefits.

Nevertheless, Empire Petroleum’s long-term growth prospects are supported by its expanding Texas infrastructure, broader development inventory and ongoing efforts to enhance production across multiple regions. Its natural gas development initiatives, Louisiana drilling program and thermal recovery operations in North Dakota provide additional opportunities for production growth and improved operating efficiency.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Shopify Inc. (SHOP), Union Pacific Corp. (UNP) and Monster Beverage Corp. (MNST).

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

Walmart (WMT) Gains From Advertising & Membership Businesses

Visa (V) Benefits From Cross-Border Volume Growth, Rising Costs Weigh

NVO Growth Fueled by GLP-1 Drugs, Intense Competition a Woe

Featured Reports

Expanding Merchant Base and AI Adoption Aids Shopify (SHOP) Prospects
Per the Zacks analyst, Shopify's expanding merchant base, growing payments adoption, AI innovations and international expansion are driving growth prospects.

Operating Discipline Aids Union Pacific (UNP) Amid Freight Woes
The Zacks analyst is impressed with the company's efforts to drive its bottom line through cost control and operating discipline. The prolonged freight downturn is, however, a worry.

NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) Rides on Auto and AI Demand
Per the Zacks analyst, rising semiconductor content in software-defined vehicles and growing demand for AI-enabled processors are expanding NXPI's growth opportunities.

Strong Demand for GE HealthCare's (GEHC) Products Offsets Tariff Risk
Per the Zacks analyst, GE HealthCare's prospect is being driven by strong demand, rising backlog and recurring software and services sales. Tariff uncertainty and input inflation are key concerns.

Targa Resources (TRGP) to Benefit from Fee-Based Revenues
The Zacks analyst notes that more than 90% of Targa's estimated 2026 adjusted operating margin is fee-based, supporting earnings across volatile markets, but elevated debt remains a concern.

West Coast Demand Aids Essex Property Trust (ESS), Debt Poses Risks
Per the Zacks analyst, Essex Property Trust benefits from resilient West Coast rental demand and solid operating performance. However, soft Southern California leasing and high debt pose risks.

Wix (WIX) Gains from Broad-Based Demand, Partners Growth Softens
Per the Zacks analyst, Wix's Harmony and Base44 traction and cash generation support growth. However, softer Partners demand and reinvesting AI cost savings into Base44 marketing are concerns.

New Upgrades

Monster Beverage (MNST) Gains From Energy Drinks and Brand Innovations
Per the Zacks analyst, Monster Beverage benefits from rising global energy drink demand, new product launches and growing retail reach, driving stronger sales across its key brands and markets abroad.

Retail Growth & Interactive Gains Aid PENN Entertainment (PENN)
Per the Zacks analyst, PENN Entertainment benefits from strong retail demand, new property developments and better cost control. Also, improving iCasino profitability and digital engagement bode well.

Strong Loan Originations & Cost-Cutting Efforts Aid Navient (NAVI)
Per the Zacks analyst, growth in refinance and in-school loan originations aids Navient's loan portfolio expansion. Cost-cutting efforts and a leaner operating structure further enhance efficiency.

New Downgrades

Contract Timing and Lunar Costs Weigh on Intuitive Machines (LUNR)
Per the Zacks analyst, Intuitive Machines faces contract timing risks, lunar cost variability and limited GAAP profitability visibility. Premium valuation and execution risks remain concerns.

Sonic (SAH) Faces Tariff Risks and New-Vehicle Margin Pressure
Per the Zacks analyst, vehicle affordability and tariff pressures may weigh on Sonic's new-vehicle demand and margins, limiting earnings growth amid persistent pricing challenges

Cost Inflation & Sluggish Roofing Demand Weigh on Owens Corning (OC)
As per the Zacks analyst, sluggish Roofing demand, higher input costs and unfavorable inventory trends are pressuring Owens Corning's margins and near-term outlook.

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

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