The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Oracle, IBM, Merck and Earth Science Tech

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – May 15, 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: Oracle Corp. ORCL, IBM Corp. IBM, Merck & Co., Inc. MRK and Earth Science Tech, Inc. ETST.

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Stock Reports for Oracle, IBM and Merck

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 Oracle Corp., IBM Corp. and Merck & Co., Inc., as well as a micro-cap stock Earth Science Tech, 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 >>>

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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 >>> No Econ Reports Equals Good News in Pre-Market

Today's Featured Research Reports

Oracle’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Software industry over the past year (+39.2% vs. +10%). The company is gaining from the ongoing momentum across its cloud business, driven by the strong uptake of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and Autonomous Database offerings, including from winning cloud-computing contracts from AI-focused startups.

The solid adoption of cloud-based applications, comprising NetSuite Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Fusion ERP, bodes well. ORCL’s partnership with Amazon for Oracle Database@AWS and general availability of Oracle Database@Google holds promise. Oracle’s Gen 2 Cloud is driving artificial intelligence clientele. Its share buybacks and dividend policy are noteworthy.

The Zacks analyst expects fiscal 2025 net sales to grow 7.7% from fiscal 2024. However, higher spending on product enhancements toward the cloud platform amid increasing competition in the cloud domain is likely to limit margin expansion.

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

Shares of IBM have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Integrated Systems industry over the past year (+61.5% vs. -2.5%). The company is poised to benefit from strong demand for hybrid cloud and AI, driving growth in Software and Consulting. The company’s growth is expected to be driven primarily by analytics, cloud computing, and security in the long haul.

IBM’s core technology platform for AI capabilities watsonx is gaining significant market traction across industries. The company is collaborating with SAP to tap generative AI technology within the retail industry. The collaboration is likely to facilitate higher productivity and help accelerate business transformation in consumer-packaged goods and retail firms.

However, stiff competition in various end markets is straining profits. Stringent cost-cutting efforts to boost margins beyond a certain threshold are likely to impact product quality. IBM’s frequent acquisitions have escalated integration risks.

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

Merck’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the year-to-date period (-26% vs. -4.7%). The company’s rising competitive pressure on the diabetes franchise and persistent challenges for Gardasil in China remain overhangs. There are concerns about Merck’s ability to successfully navigate the Keytruda loss of exclusivity period and potential competition for the drug.

Nevertheless, Merck’s first-quarter earnings and sales beat estimates. Its blockbuster drug, Keytruda, and new products have been driving sales. With continued label expansion into new indications, particularly earlier-stage launches, Keytruda is expected to see continued growth.

Animal health is also contributing to growth. Merck boasts a strong cancer pipeline, including Keytruda, which should drive long-term growth. Merck is investing in M&A activity to strengthen its pipeline.

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

Shares of Earth Science Tech have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry over the year-to-date period (+11.4% vs. -7.8%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $42.53 million posted a 311.6% year-over-year revenue surge to $24.4 million for the nine months ended Dec. 31, 2024, driven by RxCompound and Peaks. The vertically integrated model, new revenue from shipping and balanced customer mix support scalability.

Operating cash flow rose to $2.4 million, reflecting tighter working capital controls. Gross margin held firm at 72.7% despite a 1,151% spike in salaries. Strategic acquisitions expanded pharmacy and telehealth capabilities, but integration, liquidity ($0.5 million cash against $2.3 million liabilities), and revenue concentration risks loom.

Share buybacks amid short-term debt, opaque marketing ROI, and thin net margins (8.5%) raise sustainability questions. Execution and financial discipline will be critical to support ongoing growth. The P/B ratio signals premium pricing based on asset expectations.

(You can read the full research report on Earth Science Tech here >>>)

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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.

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