The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights S&P Global, Cloudflare, Canadian Natural Resources, Star Group and Hour Loop

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 16 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks and ETFs 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: S&P Global Inc. SPGI, Cloudflare, Inc. NET and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. CNQ, Star Group, L.P. SGU and Hour Loop, Inc. HOUR.

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Stock Reports for S&P Global, Cloudflare & Canadian National

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 S&P Global Inc , Cloudflare, Inc. and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., as well as two micro-cap stocks Star Group, L.P. and Hour Loop, Inc. 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 >>>

Today's Featured Research Reports

S&P Global’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Securities and Exchanges industry over the past six months (+2.4% vs. -0.8%). The company maintain a Neutral recommendation on SPGI after the stock gained 2.7% over the past three months. Recurring benchmark revenues, rising AI adoption and targeted acquisitions support long-term growth, while the Mobility spin has sharpened the portfolio. 

Productivity gains are improving margins and buybacks and dividends support per-share returns. Offsetting these positives are an elevated cost base, sizable debt and current liabilities above current assets. Competition remains intense across ratings, market data and AI-enabled analytics. 

Market Intelligence is also being reset, with slower-growing platforms requiring disciplined execution. Durable franchises and better efficiency support the outlook, but financial and execution risks could limit near-term upside and keep the overall risk-reward balanced for investors.

(You can read the full research report on S&P Global here >>>)

Shares of Cloudflare have outperformed the Zacks Internet - Software industry over the past six months (+58.3% vs. +18.2%). The company is benefiting from enterprise demand for integrated security, networking and developer services as AI reshapes Internet traffic and application development. Large-customer expansion, higher net retention and broader Workers adoption support durable revenue growth, while multi-product contracts deepen platform use. 

Management’s raised 2026 outlook and positive free cash flow provide room to fund network capacity and product investment. However, gross-margin compression, intense competition, macro uncertainty and a major workforce restructuring create execution and profitability risks.

International exposure and a stretched valuation add further sensitivity if growth moderates. These offsetting factors leave the long-term opportunity attractive, but the risk-reward profile appears balanced at current levels.

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

Canadian Natural’s shares have gained +7.9% over the past six months against the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - Canadian industry’s gain of +10.4%. The company benefits from its diversified portfolio, strong production and low-cost, long-life assets. Its focus on liquids-rich projects, operational efficiency and export opportunities could support durable cash-flow generation. 

The company also maintains an attractive shareholder-returns while recent acquisitions may create further opportunities through operational synergies. However, significant exposure to oil sands creates sensitivity to commodity-price volatility and regulatory uncertainty.

Future growth also depends on adequate pipeline and export capacity, exposing the company to potential market-access constraints. Planned maintenance activity could temporarily weigh on production and earnings momentum, while ESG-related scrutiny may restrict valuation expansion, supporting a Neutral stance.

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

Shares of Star have gained +6.3% over the past six months against the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry’s gain of +10.9%. This microcap company with a market capitalization of $418.02 million has its investment case balance between consolidation opportunities and resilient profitability against structural customer and cost pressures. 

Star’s acquisition strategy can expand local density, customer reach and service cross-selling, while HVAC services diversify revenue and support retention. Hedging programs and solid liquidity provide added protection against weather, commodity and interest-rate volatility while preserving flexibility for acquisitions, debt reduction and capital returns. 

However, persistent customer attrition, energy conversions and weaker price-protected renewals could constrain organic growth. Elevated commodity costs may pressure working capital and margins, while insurance and service-cost volatility can limit operating leverage. Tariff uncertainty adds another layer of risk to costs and capital planning.

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

Hour Loop’s shares have gained +1% over the past six months against the Zacks Internet - Commerce industry’s gain of +12.6%. This microcap company with a market capitalization of $63.71 million is delivering strong growth, with second-quarter 2026 revenues rising 25.2% and orders up 19.4%, supported by higher order values. 

Hour Loop’s proprietary software, automated repricing and broad SKU base support scalable merchandising, while international revenues are expanding rapidly. Profitability remains intact, with first-half revenues growing faster than operating expenses and stockholders’ equity rising. The company also benefits from U.S. e-commerce expansion and its presence on Amazon’s dominant marketplace. 

However, the upside is tempered by weak cash flow, rising inventory, 2026 repayment obligations and heavy dependence on Amazon, which generates about 97% of revenues. Tariffs, platform-policy changes and intense competition could further pressure margins and liquidity. The shares trade at a steep EV/sales discount to peers, though EV/EBITDA remains elevated.

(You can read the full research report on Hour Loop 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.

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