Top Stock Reports for Apple, Berkshire Hathaway & Goldman Sachs

Friday, October 23, 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 Apple Inc. (AAPL), Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.B) and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS), as well a micro-cap stock SIFCO Industries, Inc. (SIF). 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 Remain Spooked by AI Investment Capacity

Today's Featured Research Reports

Shares of Apple have gained +28.4% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Computer - Micro Computers industry’s gain of +33.5%. The company’s growing device ecosystem and expanding Services business support its long-term earnings outlook. The introduction of iPhone 18 Pro and Siri AI strengthens its focus on personalized intelligence and creates opportunities for future upgrades. 

Privacy-focused AI, Mac adoption and growing payments engagement reinforce customer loyalty. Healthy cash generation and continued shareholder returns provide additional support. 

However, supply constraints, rising memory costs and foreign-exchange movements remain concerns. Higher research spending and reduced tariff-refund benefits may weigh on margins. iPhone concentration, competitive pricing and regulatory changes also present risks. Apple’s expanding AI capabilities offer growth opportunities, but execution uncertainties and cost pressures support a Neutral recommendation.

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

Berkshire Hathaway shares have gained +8.8% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry’s gain of +9%. The company benefits from diversified businesses, disciplined underwriting and a large liquidity base that support durable earnings capacity and flexible capital allocation. Insurance float remains a low-cost funding source, while manufacturing, services, BNSF and Berkshire Hathaway Energy broaden the earnings mix.

Recent acquisitions and renewed share repurchases show multiple avenues for deploying capital. Still, insurance results remain exposed to catastrophe losses and rising claim frequency and severity.

Lower short-term rates are reducing insurance investment income, while BNSF and BHE require substantial capital spending. Greg Abel is now leading the company, leaving execution under the new leadership structure as an important watchpoint. These offsets support an overall balanced risk-reward profile and a Neutral view.

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

Shares of Goldman Sachs have outperformed the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry over the year-to-date period (+2.9% vs. +1.4%). The company’s earnings have surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters. Its third-quarter 2026 results benefited from strong revenue growth in the Global Banking & Markets and Asset & Wealth Management businesses. 

Improving deal activity and robust equity trading should support fee-income growth. Growing wealth assets, alternative fundraising and targeted acquisitions should expand the company’s recurring revenues. Its strong capital and liquidity position should support long-term growth and shareholder return. 

However, transaction-related and technology spending continues to rise and could weigh on Goldman's near-term profitability. Also, elevated provisions amid a volatile macro backdrop and high dependence on overseas revenues remain concerning for the company.

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

SIFCO Industries shares have outperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry over the year-to-date period (+261.4% vs. -12.7%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $126.15 million sees its growth prospects supported by defense demand, a healthy backlog and improving operating efficiency. Production volumes, favorable pricing and product mix support profitability, as SIF focuses on core aerospace and defense markets. 

However, weakness in commercial demand, skilled-labor constraints and elevated input costs could limit margin expansion. High working-capital requirements, borrowing costs and unresolved environmental matters also pose risks. Despite improving cash generation and lower debt, liquidity remains a concern. 

The valuation presents a mixed picture, suggesting potential investment opportunities while warranting caution given SIF’s operational and financial challenges. Sustained profitability improvements, effective backlog execution and stronger cash generation will be important in supporting its valuation going forward.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN), RTX Corp. (RTX) and United Rentals, Inc. (URI).

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

iPhone 18 Launch & Services Growth to Aid Apple's (AAPL) Prospects

Berkshire Hathaway Aids From Diversification, Disciplined Underwriting

Focus on IB & trading Aid Goldman's (GS) Growth, High Cost Ail

Featured Reports

Defense Orders Drive RTX Corp. (RTX) Amid Supply Chain Issues
Per the Zacks analyst, RTX Corporation is likely to benefit from increasing defense order growth from the Pentagon and US allies. Yet supply chain issues result in delays and increase costs.

General Motors (GM) Rides on Strong Pickup Sales Amid Cost Woes
While General Motors' leadership in the profitable full-size pickup segment is a key growth driver, rising commodity and logistics expenses are likely to dent GM's margins, per the Zacks analyst.

FactSet (FDS) Benefits From AI Adoption Amid High Competition
Per the Zacks analyst, FactSet gains from growing AI adoption across financial workflows, boosting client engagement and subscription growth. Rising competition is an overhang.

Abercrombie (ANF) Brand Strength Drives Sales Growth & Raised Outlook
Per the Zacks analyst, Abercrombie benefits from broad-based brand and regional growth, strategic partnerships and store optimization, while a raised fiscal 2026 outlook supports continued growth.

Hess Midstream (HESM) Benefits From Stable Fees and Lower Capex
Hess Midstream's fee-based contracts, rising free cash flow and disciplined capital allocation support its outlook. However, weaker volumes and rising maintenance costs concern the Zacks analyst.

Badger Meter (BMI) Benefits From Digital Water Adoption & Buyouts
Per the Zacks analyst, BMI benefits from growing cellular AMI adoption, recurring software revenues and strategic buyouts, though uneven project deployments and rising component costs pose risks.

Phibro (PAHC) Banks on Animal Health Strength, Macro Issues Stay
The Zacks analyst remains optimistic about Phibro's Animal Health momentum, alongside strategic benefits from its acquisition of Zoetis' MFA portfolio. Macroeconomic pressures can hurt its growth.

New Upgrades

Texas Instruments (TXN) Gains From Robust Data Center Demand
Per the Zacks analyst, Texas Instruments is benefiting from strong demand for power management and high-speed connectivity products used for handling AI workloads at data centers

Growing Rental Demand & Business Plans Aid United Rentals (URI)
Per the Zacks analyst, diversified project demand, acquisition strategies, specialty expansion and disciplined fleet management are benefiting United Rentals' growth prospects.

Universal Insurance (UVE) to Grow on Solid Florida Reform
Per the Zacks analyst, Universal Insurance is set to gain from post-reform Florida trends that support lower loss severity, non-catastrophe margins, and improved durability of underwriting returns.

New Downgrades

Merck (MRK) Faces Keytruda Patent Cliff, Slowing Gardasil Sales
Per the Zacks analyst, Merck's Keytruda, Winrevair and Welireg support sales growth. However, Keytruda's patent cliff, slowing Gardasil sales and rising acquisition-related costs remain concerns.

Sonoco (SON) Struggles With Cost Pressures and Weak Demand
Per the Zacks analyst, Sonoco faces mounting cost inflation, sluggish consumer demand and operational volatility, which continue to squeeze margins, weaken cash flows and cloud its earnings outlook.

Mining Losses and AI Spending Concerns Loom Over CleanSpark (CLSK)
Per the Zacks analyst, CleanSpark faces high mining losses, margin pressure and elevated cash burn. Heavy AI infrastructure spending, debt servicing costs and uncertain Texas grid approvals add risks.

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

Zacks Investment Research