The Zacks Analyst Blog Philip Morris, Booking Holdings, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Elite Pharmaceuticals and National Research

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – March 24, 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 Philip Morris International Inc. PM, Booking Holdings Inc. BKNG, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV BUD, Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ELTP and National Research Corp. NRC.Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:Top Stock Reports for Philip Morris, Booking Holdings and Anheuser-BuschThe 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 Philip Morris International Inc., Booking Holdings Inc. and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, as well as two micro-cap stocks Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and National Research Corp. 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 >>>Ahead of Wall StreetThe 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 >>> Pre-Markets Sinking on Dimming Outlook Today's Featured Research ReportsPhilip Morris’ shares have outperformed the Zacks Tobacco industry over the past year (+74.8% vs. +63.4%). The company’s strong pricing power and an expanding smoke-free product portfolio have been driving the company. For the fourth quarter of 2024, net revenues increased 7.3%, driven by higher combustible tobacco pricing and increased smoke-free product volumes.The company has been making significant progress with its smoke-free transition, with products like IQOS and ZYN contributing to strong performance. In fact, Philip Morris aims to become substantially smoke-free by 2030.However, foreign currency fluctuations are impacting earnings, with a projected 22-cent-per-share currency headwind in 2025. Despite regulatory challenges, including increased tobacco restrictions, the company’s strategic cost-saving measures and operational efficiency continue to drive profitability.(You can read the full research report on Philip Morris here >>>)Shares of Booking Holdings have outperformed the Zacks Internet - Commerce industry over the past year (+25.5% vs. +19.5%). The company is benefiting from a favorable travel demand environment, owing to the growing demand for global leisure travel demand. Substantial improvement in its booking trends remains a major tailwind.Solid momentum in booked room nights is contributing well to the gross bookings growth. Strong growth in rental car and airline ticket units is a major positive. Also, strong momentum across the merchant, and advertising and other businesses are key growth drivers for BKNG. The growing alternative accommodation business and flight capabilities are tailwinds for the company.However, sluggishness in its agency business due to the declining trend in agency bookings is a major headwind. Also, geopolitical tensions and market uncertainities remain concerning for the company.(You can read the full research report on Booking Holdings here >>>)Anheuser-Busch’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Beverages - Alcohol industry over the past year (+7.2% vs. -13%). The company’s pricing actions, continued premiumization, and other revenue-management initiatives have been aiding results. BUD’s premiumization efforts also bode well. It has been focused on premium beer offerings, aligning with consumer preferences in the alcohol industry.BUD continues to build a diverse portfolio of global, international, craft and specialty premium brands. The expansion of its Beyond Beer portfolio, and investments in B2B platforms, e-commerce and digital marketing bode well.BUD’s relentless execution, brand investments and accelerated digital transformation aided sales in fourth-quarter 2024. However, AB InBev has been witnessing higher SG&A costs for a while now. The Zacks analyst expect SG&A costs to rise 1.5% year over year in 2025.(You can read the full research report on Anheuser-Busch here >>>)Shares of Elite Pharmaceuticals have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Drugs industry over the past year (+204.3% vs. -7%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $488.78 million is expanding its product portfolio with recent FDA approvals, including generic Vyvanse, Methotrexate and Acetaminophen-Codeine tablets.Elite Pharmaceuticals benefits from in-house manufacturing efficiencies, reducing reliance on third-party suppliers. A shift to direct sales has boosted margins and pricing control, though revenues fell 7.6% in third-quarter fiscal 2025 to $14.4 million from the $15.5 million in the prior-year quarter due to shipment delays and declining licensing fees.Industry tailwinds, including generic drug demand and patent expirations, provide growth opportunities. ELTP faces industry-wide pricing pressures, rising debt and competitive threats. Litigation over its OxyContin generic poses risks while increasing inventory and potential financing needs could impact cash flow and shareholder dilution.(You can read the full research report on Elite Pharmaceuticals here >>>)National Research’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Business - Information Services industry over the past year (-62.9% vs. +13.2%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $343.95 million is facing declining contract renewal rates (-4% in 2024) and high client concentration (17% of revenues from top 10 clients) pose risks. Competitive pressures from larger players, regulatory uncertainties and cybersecurity threats further challenge NRC’s performance.Nevertheless, NRC Health is strengthening its market position through strategic partnerships with major healthcare providers, expanding its client base and enhancing revenue stability. The company is leveraging AI-driven solutions, such as Huey AI, to optimize patient engagement and improve efficiency, differentiating itself in a competitive market.Rising demand for patient-centered healthcare, driven by value-based care models, further supports NRC’s growth. Cost-cutting measures, including workforce reductions and automation, enhance margins, while disciplined financial management ensures long-term stability.(You can read the full research report on National Research 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 >>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 Previewreports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.com                                     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.7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysJust released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +24.3% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >>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 Philip Morris International Inc. (PM): Free Stock Analysis Report Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD): Free Stock Analysis Report Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ELTP): Get Free Report Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG): Free Stock Analysis Report National Research Corporation (NRC): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks