Top Research Reports for American Express, Intuitive Surgical & Shopify

Wednesday, April 1, 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 American Express Co. (AXP), Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) and Shopify Inc. (SHOP), as well as a micro-cap stock Utah Medical Products, Inc. (UTMD). 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, attempting 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 Foolin': ADP Jobs Led by Small Companies

Today's Featured Research Reports

American Express’ shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry over the past year (+11.1% vs. -17.2%). The company is benefiting from strong spending growth, particularly from Millennials and Gen Z, supported by experience-driven rewards, travel and dining platforms and expanding digital capabilities.

Strategic acquisitions and partnerships across travel, lifestyle and small-business ecosystems further strengthen engagement and transaction volumes. Investments in AI, digital payments and B2B solutions are also enhancing long-term growth prospects. Strong cash generation and steady capital returns remain supportive.

However, rising expense intensity, elevated credit-loss provisions amid weakening consumer credit trends and relatively high leverage could pressure margins and earnings stability if macro conditions remain challenging. AXP’s fourth-quarter earnings missed estimates. The Zacks analyst reiterates our Neutral recommendation on the stock.

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

Shares of Intuitive Surgical have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Instruments industry over the past six months (+4% vs. -2.6%). The company delivered a strong fourth-quarter, beating revenue and EPS estimates. The da Vinci 5 system gained momentum with 303 placements, raising its installed base to 1,232, alongside approvals in Europe and Japan for a phased rollout.

Utilization surpassed the Xi platform, supported by force feedback and Case Insights, while rising trade-ins highlighted upgrade demand. Global procedures grew 19% year over year, with 16% growth in the U.S. and 24% OUS, driven by benign general and non-urology surgeries in India, Korea, and distributor markets. System placements totaled 427, showing strong demand.

However, gross margin slipped on higher costs and tariffs, while OUS markets remain pressured by budget constraints. Medicaid policy uncertainty is a risk, but ISRG issued 2026 growth guidance to 13–15% and margins to 67–68%.

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

Shopify’s shares have gained +17.9% over the past year against the Zacks Internet - Services industry’s gain of +72.6%. The company’s prospects are benefiting from an expanding merchant base. New merchant-friendly tools like Shop Minis, Shop Cash, and Sign in with Shop -- along with Shop Pay solutions -- is helping SHOP win merchants regularly.

Shopify’s investment in AI-driven tools, such as Catalog, Universal Cart, and Sidekick, is helping merchants improve customer engagement and streamline operations. Shopify’s expanding international footprint with strong growth in Europe is a key catalyst. A rich partner base is helping SHOP expand its merchant base. Strong free cash flow margin reflects solid liquidity and supports share repurchase programs.

However, Shopify faces gross margin pressure due to higher hosting costs, the three-month paid trial program, and the expanded PayPal partnership, which carries lower margins.

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

Shares of Utah Medical Products have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Products industry over the past year (+13.5% vs. -21.1%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $197.44 million enters 2026 with a fortress balance sheet (~$86 million cash, no debt), providing exceptional flexibility for dividends, buybacks, and potential acquisitions without dilution.

Despite a weak 2025, structural tailwinds support earnings recovery, including ~$1.6 million in G&A savings from amortization roll-off and a shift toward higher-margin direct biopharma sales. Its diversified specialty device portfolio and strong regulatory track record underpin stable, high-quality cash flows. Consistent shareholder returns further enhance per-share value.

However, near-term risks persist: ~$2.5 million (~6%) revenue loss from OEM/China exits, weak backlog, and softness in international markets create uncertainty around revenue replacement. Margin pressure remains due to limited pricing power, operating leverage, and tariff headwinds. Valuation remains below historical averages and modestly below peers.

(You can read the full research report on Utah Medical Products here >>>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras (PBR), Southern Copper Corp. (SCCO) and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (AEM).

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

AmEx (AXP) Aided by Strong Card Member Spending Amid High Costs

Intuitive Surgical's (ISRG) da Vinci System Helps Offset Risks

Product Rollouts and Growing Merchant Base Aid Shopify (SHOP)

Featured Reports

High Prices Aid Southern Copper (SCCO), Lower Production Ail
The Zacks analyst believes Southern Copper is poised well to gain on high metal prices and its expansion actions. However lower production levels due to lower grades might impair results.

Growth Projects, Higher Prices Aid Agnico Eagle (AEM)
Per the Zacks analyst, the company will benefit from investment in growth projects to expand output and higher realized gold prices amid headwinds from higher costs.

Seagate (STX) Gains From Increasing Data Center and AI Demand
Per the Zacks analyst, Seagate's cost-efficient, high-density, and reliable storage gives it a competitive edge in serving hyperscale cloud providers, social media and AI-driven enterprises.

Paychex (PAYX) Gains From Cloud Computing Market Amid High Competition
Per the Zacks analyst, Paychex benefits from an expanding cloud computing market and rising client adoption of cloud computing solutions. Rising competition from other players is an overhang.

Mixed-Use Assets and Buyouts Aid Federal Realty (FRT) Amid High Debt
Per the Zacks Analyst, Federal Realty's focus on mixed-use assets development and strategic portfolio rebalancing in the premium market bodes well for future growth. However, a high debt burden ails.

Mohawk (MHK) Gains on Non-Residential Strength Amid Housing Weakness
Per the Zacks analyst, Mohawk benefits from non-residential demand, supported by pricing actions and product innovation. However, weak residential remodeling and low housing turnover mar prospects.

Xenon (XENE) Lead Candidate Progressing Well, Dependency a Woe
Per the Zacks's Analyst, Xenon's clinical studies on azetukalner for treating epilepsy and other neuro disorders are progressing well. However, the lack of other candidates in its pipeline is a woe.

New Upgrades

Petrobras (PBR) to Gain from Strong Production Growth
The Zacks analyst believes that Petrobras' strong production levels in 2025, representing about 11% year over year growth, strengthens its market position.

Planned Investments, Permian Basin Focus Aid Occidental (OXY)
Per the Zacks analyst Occidental's investments to strengthen infrastructure and strong contribution from Permian Basin operation will drive its performance over the long run.

Affirm (AFRM) Rides On Active Merchant Numbers and GMV Growth
Per the Zacks analyst, growth in Affirm's active merchant numbers and improvement in Gross Merchandise Value to fuel its top line. New deals and expansions will support performance boost.

New Downgrades

Pilgrim's Pride (PPC) Faces Demand Shift and Competitive Pressures
Per the Zacks analyst, shifting consumer behavior and intense industry competition may pressure Pilgrim's Pride's sales volumes, pricing power and margins in a challenging demand environment.

MongoDB (MDB) Faces Hyperscaler Rivalry and Conversion Risk
Per the Zacks analyst, MongoDB faces hyperscaler competition and structural uncertainty in converting developer adoption into enterprise revenue.

Rise in Accounts Receivables, Weather Fluctuations Ail CWCO
Per the Zacks analyst, CWCO's performance can be adversely impacted by delays in the collection of accounts receivables, and weather fluctuations during the second half of the year reducing demand.

5 Stocks Set to Double

Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the coming year. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +112%, +171%, +209% and +232%.

Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.

Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>

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Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (PBR): Free Stock Analysis Report

American Express Company (AXP): Free Stock Analysis Report

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG): Free Stock Analysis Report

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM): Free Stock Analysis Report

Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO): Free Stock Analysis Report

Utah Medical Products, Inc. (UTMD): Free Stock Analysis Report

Shopify Inc. (SHOP): Free Stock Analysis Report

New England Realty Associates Limited Partnership (NEN): Free Stock Analysis Report

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

Zacks Investment Research