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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights NextEra, Applied Materials and Petroleo Brasileiro

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 5, 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: NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE - Free Report) , Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT - Free Report) and Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras (PBR - Free Report) .

Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Research Reports for NextEra Energy, Applied Materials and Petrobras

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 NextEra Energy, Inc., Applied Materials, Inc. and Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras. 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 >>> Pre-markets Back in the Green to Start New Trading Week

Today's Featured Research Reports

Shares of NextEra Energy have gained +0.2% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry’s gain of +14.4%. The company’s second-quarter earnings and revenues were better than estimates. NextEra Energy continues to expand its operations through organic projects and acquisitions.

The company will add more renewable projects to its portfolio and has nearly 30 GW of renewable projects in backlog. Florida’s improving economy is boosting its unit, FPL's customer base. NextEra Energy has ample liquidity to meet its debt obligations. The company’s consistent investment is helping it to strengthen and expand operations.

Yet, due to the nature of NextEra Energy’s business, it is subject to complex rules and regulations. Risks in operating nuclear power-based generation units, unfavorable weather conditions and increasing supply costs can adversely impact earnings.

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

Applied Materials’ shares have gained +12.4% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry’s gain of +15.7%. The company is benefiting from strength in the Semiconductor Systems, owing to a rebound in the semiconductor industry, particularly in the foundry logic space. Consistent progress in the services is aiding Applied Global Services’ performance.

Solid momentum in the subscription and display businesses is a plus. Its strength in IoT, Communications, Auto, Power and Sensors (ICAPS) is likely to continue aiding its position in the semiconductor industry. Its diversified portfolio remains its key growth driver. Our model estimate indicates revenues will witness a CAGR of 5.7% through fiscal 2025-2027.

However, increasing U.S.-China tensions and export restrictions on semiconductor manufacturing equipment may undermine its near-term growth prospects. Slow memory market recovery and rising operating costs remain other major concerns.

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

Shares of Petrobras have gained +1% over the year-to-date period against the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry’s gain of +5.9%. The company’s state-run oil and natural gas giant Petrobras is riding high on the back of its impressive portfolio, particularly in the country’s pre-salt reservoirs. It is the operator in most of these areas and holds interests in them ranging from 20% to 100%.

This puts Petrobras in an enviable position to maintain an impressive production growth profile for years to come. Meanwhile, Petrobras is investing in renewable diesel and low-carbon projects, though its energy transition lags behind peers. With significant exposure to the volatile Brazilian real, the company faces currency risk.

Having said all of this, Petrobras is still reeling under huge debt burden cannot be overlooked. Being a state-controlled entity, Petrobras also faces political and regulatory uncertainties. As such, Petrobras warrants a cautious stance at the moment.

(You can read the full research report on Petrobras 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.


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) - free report >>

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (PBR) - free report >>

Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) - free report >>

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