Top Research Reports for Mastercard, AstraZeneca & Sandisk

Wednesday, October 14, 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 Mastercard Inc. (MA), AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) and Sandisk Corp. (SNDK). 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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Today's Featured Research Reports

Mastercard’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry over the past year (+7.2% vs. -5.2%). The company benefits from the secular shift toward electronic payments, supported by a scalable, asset-light model that can convert rising transaction volumes into attractive incremental economics.

Resilient consumer spending and cross-border demand provide revenue visibility, while growing value-added services broaden the earnings base beyond core payment processing. Strategic partnerships, acquisitions and expansion into emerging payment flows further extend its addressable market. Strong cash generation also supports continued reinvestment, acquisitions and shareholder returns. 

However, rising rebates and incentives signal greater competitive pricing pressure, while merchant litigation and alternative payment rails could weaken network economics. Its premium valuation also limits upside. As such, we have a Neutral recommendation on the stock.

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

Shares of AstraZeneca have underperformed the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry over the past year (-7.2% vs. +7.5%). The company’s several blockbuster drugs like Farxiga, Brilinta, Symbicort and Soliris have lost patent exclusivity and are facing generic erosion. Recent pipeline setbacks are a concern. Estimates remain mixed ahead of Q3 earnings. The company has a mixed record of earnings surprises in recent quarters.

Nevertheless, AstraZeneca’s key drugs like Lynparza, Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Ultomiris and Fasenra should keep driving revenues. New drugs are also contributing to growth. Two new drugs, Etcamah in breast cancer and Baxfendy in hypertension, are already approved this year. 

AstraZeneca’s pipeline is also strong, with several pivotal data readouts lined up over the next 18 months. Backed by its new products and pipeline drugs, AstraZeneca expects to generate $80 billion in total revenues by 2030. 

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

Sandisk’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer- Storage Devices industry over the past year (+927.2% vs. +229.6%). The company is benefiting from AI inference demand that is lifting enterprise SSD needs and increasing datacenter exposure. BiCS8, BiCS9 and BiCS10 support higher density, performance and power efficiency, while long-term customer agreements improve demand visibility and margin durability. 

Management also targets substantial free cash flow and continued excess-cash returns to shareholders. Offsetting these positives, supply growth remains deliberately constrained, non-NBM business stays exposed to market pricing, and execution across technology transitions is critical. 

HBF adds longer-term optionality but is not yet included in the financial model. These drivers support an Outperform view as structural AI demand, contracted business gains and cash-generation prospects outweigh supply, pricing, customer-mix and execution risks.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Exelon Corp. (EXC), General Mills, Inc. (GIS) and Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (HALO).

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

Mastercard's (MA) Strong Payment Trends Aid Growth, Rising Costs Hurt

Key Drugs to Aid AstraZeneca (AZN) Sales in 2026, Pipeline Strong

Sandisk's (SNDK) Prospects Ride on AI Demand and Enterprise SSD Growth

Featured Reports

Cost Discipline and Data Center Demand Support Exelon (EXC)
Per the Zacks analyst, Exelon will benefit from rising data center demand and disciplined costs. Its $41.7 billion capital plan and targeted dividend growth should support long-term earnings growth.

General Mills (GIS) Foodservice Momentum Builds on Share Gains
Per the Zacks analyst, General Mills' Foodservice business benefits from breakfast leadership, operator-focused innovation and broad share gains, with organic sales up 4% in first-quarter fiscal 2027.

PBF Energy's (PBF) High-Complexity, Diversified Refining Network Aids
Per the Zacks analyst, PBF Energy's highly complex refining systems support the processing of diverse crude slates into higher-value fuels. Its cost-saving initiatives enhance profitability.

Netskope (NTSK) Gains From AI Security Amid Growth Challenges
Per the Zacks analyst, rising AI security demand, broader product adoption and improved revenue outlook are aiding NTSK. But negative free cash flow, retention challenges and booking risks persist.

RDN Aids From Mortgage Insurance Strength and Investment Income
Per the Zacks analyst, mortgage insurance strength, Inigo diversification and higher investment income support Radian Group's growth, while elevated expenses and rising loan defaults remain risks.

ZIM Rides on Transpacific Strength, Fleet Modernization Efforts
Per the Zacks Analyst, Transpacific strength, commercial agility and fleet modernization efforts support earnings recovery potential and cost efficiency for ZIM.

OPKO Health (OPK) Builds Growth Through Pipeline and Partnerships
Per the Zacks analyst, OPKO Health's pharmaceutical portfolio, strategic partnerships and advancing clinical pipeline offer multiple avenues for growth, with potential milestone and royalty revenues.

New Upgrades

Halozyme's (HALO) ENHANZE Drug Delivery Technology Aid Growth
Per the Zacks Analyst, Halozyme's collaboration deals with large pharma companies related to ENHANZE technology, drives revenues growth. The company's restructuring initiatives are also encouraging.

CECO Builds Growth Visibility With Margin and Synergy Gains
According to the Zacks analyst, CECO benefits from robust industrial demand, a growing backlog, structural margin gains, Thermon synergies and strong cash conversion supporting growth and deleveraging

AMC Entertainment (AMC) Strong Moviegoing Demand to Drive Growth
Per the Zacks analyst, AMC Entertainment's stronger moviegoing demand, market share gains, premium formats, growing merchandise sales and higher guest spending are likely to drive performance.

New Downgrades

Pinterest (PINS) Faces Rising Costs and Intense Competition
Per the Zacks analyst, Pinterest faces risks from rising AI and infrastructure costs, intense competition and reliance on advertising, which could pressure profitability and limit revenue growth.

Growing Capital Needs and Project Execution Risks Hurt TeraWulf (WULF)
Per the Zacks analyst, TeraWulf hurts from rising project costs, execution risks and pre-revenue expenses. Rising funding needs and lengthy project timelines threaten margins and near-term cash flows.

Rising Expenses, Credit Quality Concerns Weigh on Deutsche Bank (DB)
Per the Zacks analyst, Deutsche Bank's rising expenses, driven by restructuring and technology costs, are likely to pressure profitability. Higher provisions for credit losses pose an additional risk.

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

Zacks Investment Research