Thursday, June 16, 2022The 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 The Procter & Gamble Co. (PG), Sony Group Corp. (SONY), and Diageo plc (DEO). 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 >>>Procter & Gamble shares have outperformed the Zacks Soap and Cleaning Materials industry over the past year (+1.6% vs. -7.9%). The company reported earnings surprise for more than three years, and revenues beat estimates for the eighth straight time in the quarter. Results were driven by improved productivity amid cost headwinds, along with the rising demand for cleaning products. Gains from cost productivity also aided results. Management lifted its fiscal 2022 view.It witnessed SG&A expense leverage, owing to savings from overhead and marketing expenses, and cost leverage gains due to higher sales and real estate. However, unfavorable mix, commodity cost inflation, increase in freight costs, product and packaging investments and other impacts hurt margins. It expects higher commodity and freight costs to persist in fiscal 2022.(You an read the full research report on Procter & Gamble here >>>)Sony shares have declined -14.5% over the past year against the Zacks Audio Video Production industry’s decline of -16.1%. The company expects operating margin for the fiscal year to be likely affected by decline in Pictures and G&NS segment operating incomes. A stiff rivalry and high costs pose as concerns. However, it remains focused on the premium segment of the branded products market to maximize growth. Its music experience, 360 Reality Audio, introduced to make listeners feel immersed in sound from all directions, bodes well.Nevertheless, sales are expected to improve due to the higher G&NS and I&SS segments. The company is also benefiting from an increase in sales in the Music, Pictures, Imaging & Sensing Solutions and Financial Services units. Strategic acquisitions and joint ventures bode well in the long haul. The company now is working towards achieving carbon neutrality ten years earlier than prior targeted deadline of 2050.(You an read the full research report on Sony here >>>)Diageo shares have declined -10.9% over the past year against the Zacks Beverages - Alcohol industry’s decline of -13.7%. The company is witnessing continued inflationary pressures and currency headwinds which are concerning. Moreover, margin growth was driven by supply productivity savings and price increases, which more than offset the higher cost inflation. It provided a decent view for fiscal 2022, with organic sales momentum likely to continue in the second half of fiscal 2022.However, continued recovery in the on-trade channel, strong consumer demand in the off-trade and market share gains, which also aided the company’s first-half fiscal 2022 performance. The company witnessed sales, operating margin and earnings growth in first-half fiscal 2021 driven by organic sales growth across all regions. Strong recovery in gross margin and operating cost leverage along with higher marketing investments aided organic operating margin growth.(You an read the full research report on Diageo here >>>)Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Toyota Motor Corp. (TM), Petroleo Brasileiro (PBR) and Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG).Mark VickerySenior EditorNote: 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 ReadHigh Demand & Productivity Plan Drives P&G's (PG) GrowthSONY to Gain from Brand Focus & Improving G&NS Segment SalesStrength in North America to Drive Diageo's (DEO) Top LineFeatured ReportsEV Push & Product Growth to Aid Toyota (TM) Amid High CostPer the Zacks analyst, Toyota's top line will gain from an intensive electrification push and portfolio expansion. Yet, commodity cost inflation and soaring R&D costs are likely to dent profits.Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) Rides on a Strong Robotics SuiteThe Zacks analyst is upbeat about Intuitive Surgical's strength in robot-based da Vinci surgical system despite its operation in a highly competitive market.Freight Revenues Bail out Canadian Pacific (CP), Costs HurtThe Zacks analyst is impressed with the uptick in freight revenues. Escalated costs are, however, hurting the bottom line.Robust Revenues Aid O'Reilly (ORLY), High Debt HurtsPer the Zacks analyst, O'Reilly gains from strength in revenues year-over-year led by e-commerce and store expansion efforts. However, an elevated leverage of 95% is concerningElectronic Arts (EA) Benefits From Solid Gaming PortfolioPer the Zacks analyst, Electronic Arts' top line benefits from a burgeoning user base on the back of a sturdy gaming portfolio. Improving Premiums Aid Arch Capital (ACGL), Cat loss AilPer the Zacks analyst, Arch Capital benefits from its diverse product and service portfolio that in turn has been fueling premiums. However, exposure to cat loss inducing underwriting volatility ails.U.S. Budget to Aid TransDigm (TDG) Amid Weak Travel DemandPer the Zacks analyst, expansionary budgetary policy adopted by the U.S. administration should benefit TransDigm. Yet poor demand for international travel might continue to hurt the stock. New UpgradesPetrobras (PBR) Aided by Brazil's Pre-Salt Oil ReservesThe Zacks analyst believes that Petrobras' stake in Brazil's huge pre-salt oil reserves puts it in an enviable position to maintain an impressive production growth profile for years to come.Enterprise (EPD) Banks On Its $4.6B Key Midstream ProjectsPer the Zacks analyst, Enterprise will generate additional fee-based revenues from its $4.6-BILLION key midstream projects under construction.Signet (SIG) to Keep Gaining From Omni-Channel CapabilitiesPer Zacks analyst, Signet is integrating physical stores with advanced virtual experiences through data-driven in-store consultations, and services like buy online pickup in-store and curbside optionsNew DowngradesDismal Traffic & High Costs Hurt Yum China's (YUMC) ProspectsPer the Zacks analyst, Yum China has been witnessing elevated costs owing to higher inflation in commodity, wage and delivery costs. Also, decline in traffic from pre-pandemic levels is a concern.Soft Comps Performance to Hurt Five Below's (OLLI) SalesPer the Zacks analyst, soft comparable sales performance may hurt Five Below's top line. The metric slid 3.6% in the first quarter. Management expects 2-5% decline in second-quarter comparable sales.Soft Product Shipment & Supply Chain Woes to Hurt Dolby (DLB)Per the Zacks analyst, pandemic induced global supply chain troubles and higher product costs is a major concern for Dolby. Weakness in product shipment is an added concern Special Report: The Top 5 IPOs for Your Portfolio Today, you have a chance to get in on the ground floor of one of the best investment opportunities of the year. As the world continues to benefit from an ever-evolving internet, a handful of innovative tech companies are on the brink of reaping immense rewards - and you can put yourself in a position to cash in. One is set to disrupt the online communication industry. Brilliantly designed for creating online communities, this stock is poised to explode when made public. With the strength of our economy and record amounts of cash flooding into IPOs, you don’t want to miss this opportunity.>>See Zacks’ Hottest IPOs NowWant 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 Toyota Motor Corporation (TM): Free Stock Analysis Report Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras (PBR): Free Stock Analysis Report Procter & Gamble Company The (PG): Free Stock Analysis Report Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG): Free Stock Analysis Report Diageo plc (DEO): Free Stock Analysis Report Sony Corporation (SONY): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research