Top Analyst Reports for Salesforce, S&P & Intuit

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 12 major stocks, including Salesforce, Inc. (CRM), S&P Global Inc. (SPGI) and Intuit Inc. (INTU), as well as two micro-cap stocks Kewaunee Scientific Corp. (KEQU) and Key Tronic Corp. (KTCC). 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 Up on Cooling Metrics, Decent Q3 Reports

Today's Featured Research Reports

Shares of Salesforce have declined -4.7% over the past year against the Zacks Internet - Software industry’s decline of -5.5%. The company’s sensitivity of enterprise spending to macroeconomic conditions, intense competition across CRM, data and AI workflows, and rising leverage and interest costs tied to debt-funded repurchases. 

Pending acquisitions not only enhance product portfolio but also increase integration demands. With meaningful growth drivers and execution risks, we view the risk-reward profile as balanced. Nevertheless, Salesforce is extending its CRM franchise through Agentforce, Data 360 and an interface strategy that brings its data and workflows into more AI surfaces. 

Recurring revenues and backlog remain healthy, while rising agent usage, premium bundle bookings and Slack activity support management’s expectation for organic revenue reacceleration. The company also continues to generate cash and return capital. 

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

S&P’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Securities and Exchanges industry over the past year (-3.4% vs. +4.4%). The company is facing elevated cost base, sizable debt and current liabilities above current assets. Competition remains intense across ratings, market data and AI-enabled analytics. Market Intelligence is also being reset, with slower-growing platforms requiring disciplined execution. 

Durable franchises and better efficiency support the outlook, but financial and execution risks could limit near-term upside and keep the overall risk-reward balanced for investors. Nevertheless, the Zacks analyst maintain a Neutral recommendation on SPGI after the stock declined 10% over the past year. 

Recurring benchmark revenues, rising AI adoption and targeted acquisitions support long-term growth, while the Mobility spin has sharpened the portfolio. Productivity gains are improving margins and buybacks and dividends support per-share returns

(You can read the full research report on S&P here >>>)

Shares of Intuit have underperformed the Zacks Computer - Software industry over the past year (-49.3% vs. -9.1%). The company’s fiscal 2027 marks a deliberate reset toward customer acquisition, with slower company growth expected as Intuit lowers DIY tax ARPC and increases sales and product investment. Online paying customer growth has slowed, Mailchimp faces churn, and desktop revenues are expected to decline. 

These tradeoffs leave a balanced outlook: the platform retains multiple long-term growth levers, but execution on customer growth and the tax pricing reset must improve before a more constructive view is warranted.

Nevertheless, Intuit’s scale across small-business software, tax and consumer finance remains an advantage. QuickBooks Online services, mid-market adoption, assisted tax and Credit Karma broaden monetization beyond core accounting and filing products, while AI-driven workflows can deepen engagement. Capital returns support per-share value. 

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

Kewaunee Scientific’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Instruments - Scientific industry over the past year (-28.6% vs. +42.7%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $95.32 million sees its profitability exposed to project timing, construction activity, input-cost inflation and tariff pressures. Elevated corporate expenses and integration investments continue to weigh on earnings conversion. 

Although the balance sheet has improved through debt reduction, lower liquidity and ongoing capital commitments limit financial flexibility. Share dilution from equity compensation may also restrain per-share earnings growth.

Nevertheless, Kewaunee’s investment case is supported by a broader laboratory products portfolio following the Nu Aire acquisition, expanding its offerings, distribution reach and reducing reliance on laboratory furniture. A healthy backlog provides near-term revenue visibility, while international operations diversify earnings through turnkey laboratory design, engineering and project management capabilities that strengthen customer relationships. 

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

Shares of Key Tronic have underperformed the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry over the past year (-33.7% vs. +20.9%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $23.68 million has risks which include revenue pressure from customer concentration and program transitions, ongoing profitability volatility from restructuring and utilization challenges, and execution risk tied to new program ramps and production transfers. 

KTCC also faces financial risk from elevated leverage, limited cash reserves, and continued investment needs, making results sensitive to delays in demand recovery or program launches. Nevertheless, Key Tronic is repositioning its manufacturing footprint toward the United States and Vietnam to support customer demand for more resilient supply chains. 

New program wins across automotive and industrial markets, combined with its vertically integrated design and testing capabilities, strengthen customer relationships and support long-term growth. Capacity expansion and added technical capabilities further enhance its ability to win higher-value programs. 

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Canadian National Railway Co. (CNI), HF Sinclair Corp. (DINO) and Tyler Technologies, Inc. (TYL).

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

Salesforce (CRM) Benefits From Agentforce Adoption

IHS Markit Buyout Aids S&P Global (SPGI) Amid Rising Expenses

AI and Mid-Market Growth Aid Intuit (INTU), Yet Tax Reset Risks Linger

Featured Reports

Dividends, Buyback Aid Canadian National (CNI) Amid High Debt
Per the Zacks Analyst, Canadian National's measures to reward shareholders through dividends and share buybacks are encouraging. High debt remains a concern.

Public Sector Cloud Migration, Acquisitions Aid Tyler (TYL)
Per the Zacks analyst, Tyler is benefiting from the public sector's ongoing transition from on-premise to scalable cloud-based systems. Buyouts like CODY Systems and For The Record are positive.

Kymera (KYMR) KT-621 Promises Potential Amid a Competitive Landscape
Per the Zacks analyst, Kymera's lead candidate KT-621, being evaluated for atopic dermatitis and asthma, promises potential. However, successful development and commercialization holds the key.

AV Focus & Expanding Rider Demand Aid Lyft (LYFT) Amid High Costs
The Zacks analyst is impressed with Lyft's partnership-led strategy on autonomous vehicles. Rising rider demand is another tailwind. High costs are, however, concerning.

Northern Oil & Gas' Diversified Portfolio Supports Growth
The Zacks analyst believes that Northern Oil and Gas' diversified non-operated model supports growth and capital flexibility, though reliance on third-party operators limits operational control.

New Upgrades

HF Sinclair (DINO) to Benefit From Strong Refining Margins
Per the Zacks analyst, HF Sinclair's diversified refining network, crude-processing flexibility, and favorable regional crack spreads are expected to boost margins as global fuel supplies tighten.

Protagonist's (PTGX) Collaborations Strengthen Growth Outlook
The Zacks analyst is encouraged by this year's FDA approvals of two medications developed using Protagonist's platform, expanding future milestone and royalty opportunities for the company.

New Downgrades

Fresenius Medical Care (FMS) Continues to Face Macro Challenges
Per the Zacks analyst, macro challenges like volume uncertainty, fading reimbursement benefits, China pricing actions and inflation keep near-term prospects constrained for Fresenius Medical Care.

Applied Digital (APLD) Faces Rising Debt and Execution Risks
Per the Zacks analyst, Applied Digital faces rising debt, elevated losses, customer concentration and execution risks as financing costs and tenant delivery delays threaten sustainable cash flow.

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

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