|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
Chicago, IL – May 14, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Microsoft Corp. MSFT, Amazon.com, Inc. AMZN, Mastercard Inc. MA and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. CBL.
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 Microsoft Corp., Amazon.com, Inc. and Mastercard Inc., as well as a micro-cap stock CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. 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 >>>
The daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens and attempts to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning.
You can read today's AWS here >>> CPI Inflation Rate at +2.3%, Earnings Reports Mixed
Microsoft’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Software industry over the year-to-date period (+6.8% vs. +4.5%). The company’s Q3 fiscal 2025 earnings and revenues beat estimates, driven by strength in its AI business and Copilot adoption and backed by accelerating growth in Azure cloud infrastructure unit.
Productivity and Business Processes revenues rose due to strong adoption of Office 365 Commercial solutions. ARPU growth was driven by E5 as well as M365 Copilot. Intelligent Cloud revenues were driven by growth in Azure AI services and a rise in AI Copilot business. Focused execution drove non-AI services results aided by accelerated growth in the enterprise customer segment as well as some improvement in scale motions.
Xbox content and services revenues benefited from stronger-than-expected performance in third-party and first-party content. However, higher operating expenses and spending on Azure amid stiff competition in the cloud space remain concerns.
(You can read the full research report on Microsoft here >>>)
Shares of Amazon.com have gained +14.5% over the past year against the Zacks Internet - Commerce industry’s gain of +18.7%. The company’s first-quarter results were driven by Prime and AWS momentum. Strengthening AWS services portfolio and its growing adoption rate contributed well to AWS performance.
Ultrafast delivery services and expanding content portfolio were beneficial. Strengthening relationships with third-party sellers was a positive. Robust advertising business contributed well. Amazon’s expanding global presence, growing capabilities in grocery, pharmacy, healthcare and autonomous driving are key positives. Deepening focus on GenAI is a major plus.
However, Amazon announced mixed guidance for the second quarter. High tariffs imposed by President Trump on goods imported from China have cast uncertainty on retailers such as Amazon. AMZN's free cash flow has decreased significantly.
(You can read the full research report on Amazon.com here >>>)
Mastercard’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry over the past year (+28.8% vs. +24.9%). The company’s first-quarter earnings beat estimates. Its acquisitions are helping the company to grow addressable markets and drive new revenue streams. It expects mid-teens net revenue growth in 2Q25.
The accelerated adoption of digital and contactless solutions is providing an opportunity for its business to expedite its shift to the digital mode. Strong cash flow supports its growth initiatives and enables shareholder value-boosting efforts through repurchases and dividends. Operating cash flows surged 42.3% year over year in the first quarter of 2025.
However, its dividend yield is lower than the industry average. Steep operating expenses might stress its margins in the future. High rebates and incentives may weigh on net revenues. As such, the stock warrants a cautious stance.
(You can read the full research report on Mastercard here >>>)
Shares of CBL & Associates Properties have outperformed the Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry over the past year (+27% vs. +11.7%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $788.55 million have its balance sheet, driven by non-recourse debt and a $60 million year-over-year net debt reduction, enhances stability and minimizes refinancing risk.
Liquidity remains robust with $276 million in cash and marketable securities, supporting flexibility and a $25 million buyback plan. Asset sales totaling $73.3 million unlocked gains and aided deleveraging. Despite modest same-center NOI declines and tenant closures, leasing momentum persists, with strong new rent spreads and 90.4% occupancy.
A stable $1.50 FFO and $6.98–$7.34 guidance reinforce earnings visibility. While a 12.5–13.3% dividend yield and 18.3% annual growth offer total return appeal, rising expenses, soft tenant sales, sustainability risks and leasing headwinds pose risks. CBL’s valuation suggests relative value for investors seeking undervalued income-generating REITs.
(You can read the full research report on CBL & Associates Properties here >>>)
Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
See Stocks Free >>
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
https://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
| 2 min | |
| 16 min | |
| 1 hour | |
| 1 hour | |
| 1 hour | |
| 2 hours | |
| 2 hours | |
| 3 hours | |
| 3 hours | |
| 3 hours | |
| 4 hours | |
| 4 hours | |
| 5 hours | |
| 5 hours | |
| 5 hours |
Join thousands of traders who make more informed decisions with our premium features. Real-time quotes, advanced visualizations, backtesting, and much more.
Learn more about FINVIZ*Elite