Wednesday, December 21, 2022 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 Linde plc (LIN), BP p.l.c. (BP) and PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL). 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 >>> Shares of Linde, the maker of industrial gases, have held up better than the peer group as well as the broader market. The stock is down -5% this year vs. the decline of -8.2% for the Zacks Diversified Chemicals industry and -7.3% decline for the Zacks Basic Materials sector.

Driving the stock's momentum is the wide range of applications for its industrial gases, Linde is making the world more productive by the day. The company’s primary products in industrial gases include oxygen, which is used as life support in hospitals. Its process gas, like hydrogen, is being utilized for clean fuels, while its high-purity and specialty gases are employed to manufacture electronics. Linde has long-term contracts with on-site customers backed by minimum purchase requirements, thereby securing stable cashflows. The firm reported strong third-quarter results, owing to increased prices and volumes across all end markets, except for healthcare. (You can read the full research report on Linde here >>>) BP shares have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry over the past year (+28.9% vs. +15.9%). The company has a strong portfolio of upstream projects, backing impressive production growth. BP boasted that the target of adding a net production of 900 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2021 from key projects was met successfully. It set an aggressive energy transition plan to capitalize on the mounting demand for clean energy. Although there is no production from its Russia incorporated joint ventures, BP is projecting higher upstream volumes this year. Before reporting its December-quarter results, the energy major is willing to complete an additional $2.5 billion in share buy-backs. However, the leading integrated energy company’s balance sheet is considerably more levered than most peers, limiting its financial flexibility. Also, increasing production & manufacturing costs have been affecting the company's income. (You can read the full research report on BP here >>>) Shares of PayPal have underperformed the Zacks Internet - Software industry over the past year (-63.6% vs. -62.5%). The company trimmed its guidance for revenue growth in anticipation of an economic downturn, which might slow down consumer spending. This is a major negative. Further, intensifying market competition and foreign exchange headwinds remain risks. However, PayPal’s third quarter results were driven by strong growth in total payments volume owing to increasing net new active accounts. Strengthening customer engagement was a positive. Strong performance by Venmo contributed well to the TPV growth. The Zacks analyst believe growing transaction revenues are likely to continue driving the top-line growth. Also, solid momentum across peer to peer and PayPal Checkout experiences is a tailwind. Further, PayPal’s growing traction in the United States remains a major positive. Considering the abovementioned facts, the Zacks analyst expect net revenues in 2022 to rise 8.4% from 2021. (You can read the full research report on PayPal here >>>) Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include BHP Group Limited (BHP), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD) and Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB). Director of Research Sheraz Mian 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>>>

Linde's (LIN) Contracts With Minimum Volume Requirements Aid

BP to Benefit From Renewable Energy Project in Australia

PayPal (PYPL) Benefits From Increasing Total Payment Volume

Project Investments, Productivity to Aid Air Products (APD) While Air Products faces headwinds from higher power and fuel costs, it should gain from investments in high-return industrial gas projects and productivity actions, per the Zacks analyst.n

Kimberly-Clark's (KMB) Cost-Cutting Aid Amid Rising Inflation Per the Zacks analyst, Kimberly-Clark has been taking robust steps to lower costs amid inflationary pressure. The company generated savings of $80 million from the FORCE program in the third quarter.

Land Acquisition Move Aid PulteGroup (PHM), Slow Demand Ail Per the Zacks analyst, land acquisition strategies and focus on entry-level buyers bode well for PulteGroup amid slow demand due to higher mortgage rates, supply-chain issues and rising inflation.

Renewable Initiatives Aid AES Amid Declining Price Issue Per the Zacks analyst, AES Corp is investing heftily in clean energy to boost its renewable generation portfolio. Yet, declining wholesale price of electricity can hurt the stock

Expeditors (EXPD) Rides on Dividends & Buyback, Expenses Ail The Zacks analyst likes the shareholder-friendly measures adopted by Expeditors. However, rising operating expenses are concerning as they are likely to keep the bottom line under pressure.

Intra-Cellular (ITCI) Sole Drug Caplyta Aid Growth Amid Rivalry Per the Zacks analyst, Intra-Cellular's sole drug, Caplyta is driving the top-line. The drug's label expansion studies also hold promise. However, heavy dependence on Caplyta for growth remains a woe.

Solid Product Suite Aid NextGen (NXGN) Amid Stiff Competition The Zacks analyst is upbeat about NextGen's robust product portfolio despite its operation in a highly competitive market.

Investment in Growth Projects to Aid BHP Group (BHP) The Zacks analyst appreciates BHP's focus on investing in commodities that will help it ride on growing global trends such as decarbonization as well as its efforts to make operations more efficient.

Arista (ANET) Rides on Software-Driven, Data-Centric Model Per the Zacks analyst, Arista is likely to benefit from scalable infrastructure, a software-driven and data-centric approach to help customers build cloud architecture and enhance cloud footprint.

Patterson-UTI (PTEN) to Gain from Proprietary Apex Rigs The Zacks analyst believes that Patterson-UTI Energy's technologically-advanced Apex rigs help it to consolidate activity levels and maintain strong margins.

Rising Costs, Poor Asset Quality Hurt Ally Financial (ALLY) Per the Zacks analystp, elevated costs due to Ally Financial's efforts to launch products and grow inorganically will hurt profits. Deteriorating asset quality due to rising provisions is another woe.

Supply Chain Issues to Mar Whirlpool's (WHR) Performance Per the Zacks analyst, Whirlpool has been witnessing high raw material costs and supply chain issues, which have resulted in higher freight costs. This is likely to persist in the first half of 2023.

Declining Admissions Hurt Revenues at Tenet Healthcare (THC) Per the Zacks Analyst, the company's revenues are likely to remain strained due to a decrease in adjusted admissions. A fall in cash balance remains a concern.

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Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD) : Free Stock Analysis Report

BP p.l.c. (BP) : Free Stock Analysis Report

BHP Group Limited Sponsored ADR (BHP) : Free Stock Analysis Report

KimberlyClark Corporation (KMB) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Linde plc (LIN) : Free Stock Analysis Report

PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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Paypal (PYPL) closed at $78.54 in the latest trading session, marking a +0.8% move from the prior day.

One company has celestial aspirations, while the other is looking to get back its positive momentum.

Electric vehicle (EV) stocks are soaring this week. EV maker Lucid Group (NASDAQ: LCID) was up by 30%, charging network company ChargePoint Holdings (NYSE: CHPT) was 24.1% above last Friday's closing price, and solid-state battery maker QuantumScape (NYSE: QS) was rising by 32.1% for the week, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Many growth stocks were rising this week as investors anticipated -- and received -- tamer inflation data that spurred hopes that the Federal Reserve would slow, or pause, interest rate hikes.

Overall, the December CPI report roughly met Street expectations, but there is still a lot of bearish commentary going around right now. Many financial prognosticators are forecasting another tough year for the stock market as the prospect of a recession looms large. However, that is certainly not the view of HSBC's Max Kettner. The strategist points out that the harbingers of doom are unlikely to be surprised by more negative developments with the markets already accounting for the fatalistic o

Units of KNOT Offshore Partners (NYSE: KNOP) are plummeting today, down by nearly 40% as of 10:30 a.m. ET. The sharp move lower came after the master limited partnership (MLP) focused on the shuttle tanker market made a significant distribution cut. KNOT Offshore Partners declared its fourth-quarter distribution payment.

Nio stock has solid chances of a recovery in 2023 thanks to new launches and a focus on market share.

EV maker Tesla's Shanghai gigafactory expansion is reportedly delayed amid data concerns.

Let's discuss the prospects of three high-yield stocks, which are offering dividend yields above 5% and are attractively valued right now. Thanks to the high dividends of these stocks, their shareholders are adequately compensated while waiting for the stock prices to appreciate. Verizon Communications , which was created by the merger between Bell Atlantic and GTE in 2000, is one of the largest wireless carriers in the U.S. The company generates approximately 75% of its revenue from its wireless business and the remaining 25% from broadband and cable services.

These two companies are in very different situations but could generate significant returns for investors.

Oil stocks dominate this list of today's top growth stocks. Across all sectors, 21 firms have estimates of 100%-1,220% for 2022.

Home improvement retailer Home Depot is making a nationwide change to how it pays hourly employees next week. The move was first reported by Business Insider.

(Bloomberg) -- Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. is speaking with potential lenders that would finance the company during bankruptcy proceedings, according to people with knowledge of the matter.Most Read from BloombergElon Musk Fan With 2,900% Gain Sees $1.5 Million Wiped AwayUS Inflation Cools Again, Putting Fed on Track to DownshiftT-Mobile Considers Buying Ryan Reynolds’s Mint MobileUniversal Plans New Family Resort in Texas, Las Vegas Horror AttractionBond Yields Tumble as Traders Dial Back Fed Wagers

MarketWatch Picks has highlighted these products and services because we think readers will find them useful; the MarketWatch News staff is not involved in creating this content. Prior to that, I had managed my investments passively. Is a variable annuity a good option for me?

OrganiGram (OGI) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of 0% and 1.43%, respectively, for the quarter ended November 2022. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?

Stocks were up this week, ahead of today’s inflation data. The gains reflected investor optimism that inflation will continue to scale back – a sentiment that was backed up by the actual numbers. The rate of price increases for December came in at a 0.1% decrease month-over-month, and at an increase of 6.5% annualized. These were exactly in-line with the forecasts, and mark a slowing down of inflation going forward. The slower pace is good news. With this scale-back – inflation’s annualized incr

The pandemic set off an intense race among pharmaceutical companies to produce effective vaccines against COVID-19. Novavax's critical weakness continues to be its manufacturing operations, which since mid-2021 have struggled to scale up to meet the company's ambitions -- never mind the purchase orders for which it already received payment from customers. Other major international purchasers inked deals for similarly large quantities in 2020 and 2021, driving Novavax's trailing-12-month revenue to grow to more than $1.8 billion, though it remains unprofitable.

EXAS, ZM, TSLA, ABBV, ZOM have been highlighted in this Market Edge article.

The business model is quite strong, but unless the broader economy improves, the stock price will not recover

Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor are moving higher even amid the company's weak guidance for fourth-quarter earnings.

Regardless, stock markets opened lower on Thursday, and cybersecurity stocks were among the bigger losers. CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ: CRWD) slumped 3.2% through 10 a.m. ET, Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) slipped 2.2%, and Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) dropped 2.6%. Following up on Wednesday's $1 Fortinet price target cut by Barclays (which cut the stock to $56 a share), this morning fellow investment bank Morgan Stanley announced it is lowering price targets on CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks as well.