Key Stock Updates for Alphabet, Morgan Stanley, and ServiceNow
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 29 2025
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Zacks Research Daily Highlights
Featured Stocks: Today's report includes research on 16 major stocks, notably Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL), Morgan Stanley (MS), and ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW), along with micro-cap stocks New England Realty Associates Limited Partnership (NEN) and Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (BAER). The micro-cap research is unique in the country.
Market Insights: The 'Ahead of Wall Street' article provides insights into economic releases and their potential impact on market actions, available for free on the Zacks homepage.
Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL)
Performance Overview: GOOGL shares have increased by 11.8% year-to-date, slightly below the Zacks Internet - Services industry’s 13.1% gain. The company is experiencing strong growth in its cloud and search segments.
Cloud Growth: Google Cloud's annual revenue run rate has surpassed $50 billion, driven by advancements in AI infrastructure and Generative AI Solutions. The Circle to Search feature is now active on over 300 million devices, and AI Overviews reach over 2 billion users monthly, increasing global queries by over 10%.
Challenges: Despite growth, GOOGL faces litigation issues and intense competition in the cloud sector.
Morgan Stanley (MS)
Stock Performance: MS shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry, rising 48.7% compared to 43.5% over the past year.
Growth Drivers: The company is focusing on wealth and asset management, with projected investment banking fees and total revenues expected to grow by 3.9% and 3.6%, respectively, in 2025.
Concerns: Operating expenses are anticipated to rise by 7% this year, and uncertainty in capital market performance poses a risk.
ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW)
Market Position: ServiceNow shares have outperformed the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry, with a 7.3% increase compared to a decline of 8.6% in the industry.
Business Growth: The company reported 11 deals exceeding $5 million in net new annual contract value in Q2 2025 and raised its subscription revenue guidance for 2025 to between $12.775 billion and $12.795 billion, indicating a growth rate of 19.5-20%.
Future Outlook: ServiceNow is on track to exceed $15 billion in subscription revenues by 2026, bolstered by AI and machine learning technologies.
New England Realty Associates Limited Partnership (NEN)
Stock Performance: NEN shares have underperformed, declining by 1% compared to the Zacks Real Estate - Operations industry’s 19.2% gain.
Financial Challenges: The company faces a 26% increase in debt to $511.2 million and a rising residential vacancy rate of 2.4%.
Positive Developments: The acquisition of Hill Estates adds 399 units, enhancing cash flows, while rental income grew by 5% in H1 2025 to $41.5 million.
Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (BAER)
Stock Performance: BAER shares have underperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry, declining 24.1% compared to a 13.3% gain in the industry.
Operational Risks: The company faces cash burn and reliance on low-margin work, with a concentration on federal contracts posing risks.
Growth Potential: BAER operates the only CL-415EAF Scooper fleet in the U.S., benefiting from long-term government contracts and a $46 million sale-leaseback that improves liquidity.
Additional Reports
Other Notable Stocks: The report also highlights Waste Management, Seagate Technology, and Synchrony Financial, focusing on their respective growth strategies and challenges.
Market Trends: The semiconductor market is projected to grow from $452 billion in 2021 to $971 billion by 2028, indicating significant opportunities for companies in this sector.
Investment Recommendations: Zacks Investment Research offers insights into the best stocks for the upcoming month, emphasizing the importance of strategic investments in high-growth sectors.
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Analyst Views on WM
Wall Street analysts forecast WM stock price to rise
20 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 211.460
Low
223.00
Averages
247.61
High
266.00
Current: 211.460
Low
223.00
Averages
247.61
High
266.00
About WM
Waste Management, Inc. is a provider of environmental solutions. The Company provides collection, recycling, and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout the United States and Canada. Its segments include East Tier, West Tier, Recycling Processing and Sales, WM Renewable Energy, and WM Healthcare Solutions. East Tier primarily consists of geographic areas located in the Eastern U.S., the Great Lakes region and all of Canada. The West Tier primarily includes geographic areas located in the Western U.S., including the upper Midwest region and British Columbia, Canada. Recycling Processing and Sales includes the processing and sales of materials collected from residential, commercial, and industrial customers. WM Renewable Energy develops, operates, and promotes projects for the beneficial use of landfill gas. WM Healthcare Solutions includes Regulated Waste and Compliance Services and Secure Information Destruction services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Analysis of Bill Gates Foundation's Investment Portfolio
- Portfolio Overview: The Gates Foundation Trust manages over $31.6 billion in assets, with 63% allocated to three large-cap stocks, indicating a preference for stable returns amidst market volatility.
- Berkshire Hathaway: 26% of the trust's investments are in Berkshire Hathaway, a company with a market cap exceeding $1 trillion, providing robust financial support to the foundation through its diversified operations and consistent cash flow generation.
- Waste Management: 20% of the trust is invested in Waste Management, which not only maintains a strong position in waste collection but also shows growth potential in renewable energy and healthcare waste disposal, despite its stock performance being lackluster.
- Canadian National Railway: The trust holds 17% in Canadian National Railway, which, while facing economic challenges and stock underperformance, retains a strong transportation network and a relatively low debt ratio, offering some defensive qualities within the investment portfolio.
See More
Investment Overview of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Foundation Donations: Since 2000, the Gates Foundation has donated approximately $8.5 billion to 1,472 grantees, highlighting its significant impact on global philanthropy, although its investment decisions are managed separately from charitable activities.
- Portfolio Structure: As of the first quarter, the Gates Foundation Trust had over $31.6 billion in assets, with 63% invested in just three large-cap stocks, reflecting a preference for stable and mature companies, particularly Berkshire Hathaway.
- Role of Berkshire Hathaway: As the largest stock in the portfolio, Berkshire Hathaway boasts a market cap exceeding $1 trillion, showcasing its advantages in wealth preservation and growth, despite not growing as rapidly as pure-play AI companies.
- Challenges for Canadian National Railway: With 17% of the Gates Trust's investments in Canadian National Railway, which transports over $181 billion in goods annually, the stock has struggled due to trade tensions and economic downturns, yielding only a 1.5% gain over the past five years.
See More
Bill Gates Foundation Investment Insights
- Wealth Donation Plan: Bill Gates plans to donate nearly all of his wealth over the next 20 years, with the foundation expected to spend over $200 billion during this period, reflecting his ongoing commitment to combat global poverty and disease.
- Portfolio Structure: The Gates Foundation trust fund is primarily composed of value stocks, with Microsoft remaining a significant holding; despite recent share sales, Gates retains approximately $43 billion in Microsoft stock.
- Berkshire Hathaway Holdings: The foundation's largest position is in Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares, which account for 25% of the portfolio, bolstered by Warren Buffett's annual donations, ensuring a steady influx of funds for the foundation.
- WM Company Performance: WM, the second-largest holding in the foundation's portfolio at 18%, benefits from its strong market position and sustainable business initiatives, leading to margin improvements despite challenges posed by climate change.
See More
Gates Foundation Shifts Focus to Value Stocks
- Investment Strategy Shift: The Gates Foundation's investment managers are favoring value stocks over growth stocks, with two primary value stocks trading around fair value, indicating a preference for stable returns that may enhance the fund's long-term financial stability.
- Microsoft Share Donation Plan: Gates plans to donate nearly all of his Microsoft shares over the next 20 years, currently holding 103 million shares worth about $43 billion, which will reduce the fund's reliance on Microsoft while providing more capital to support its philanthropic mission.
- Berkshire Hathaway's Continued Investment: Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares account for about 25% of the fund's portfolio, benefiting from Warren Buffett's annual donations; despite high spending requirements, the fund has managed to retain a significant number of shares, reflecting a strong commitment to value investing.
- WM's Market Position: WM, formerly Waste Management, constitutes about 18% of the fund, leveraging its 262 active landfills and strong scale advantages, with EBITDA margins reaching 29.8% last quarter, showcasing growth potential in sustainable energy and medical waste, although its current P/E ratio of nearly 27 suggests a premium price for its competitive advantages.
See More
U.S. Industrial Activity Rebounds, Uncovering Investment Opportunities
- Industrial Production Surge: The U.S. industrial production index hit a six-year high in April, indicating a rebound in domestic industrial activity that is expected to enhance corporate production control and mitigate geopolitical risks.
- Agricultural Equipment Outlook: The USDA forecasts farm profits will reach $153.4 billion by 2026, stabilizing at high levels, suggesting Deere & Company's equipment sales may achieve mid-single-digit growth, driving a cyclical recovery in the industry.
- Waste Management Growth: Waste Management reported $25.2 billion in revenue last year, a 14% increase, and is poised to benefit from rising domestic consumer demand, with the global waste management market projected to grow to $426 billion by 2050.
- Diversified Investment Opportunities: Illinois Tool Works focuses on long-term strategies, and despite a 17% drop in stock price recently, its low-capital-cost product lineup positions it as one of the first beneficiaries of any industrial investment uptick, expected to continue stable revenue and profit growth.
See More
Signs of Recovery in Agricultural Machinery Sector
- Agricultural Machinery Outlook: The USDA forecasts that U.S. farms will achieve combined profits of $153.4 billion by 2026, stabilizing at 2025 levels, indicating a potential cyclical turnaround for the agricultural machinery sector after years of delayed equipment replacements.
- Industrial Activity Rebound: Domestic industrial production in the U.S. hit a six-year high in April, signaling a recovery in economic activity that could create a favorable market environment for manufacturers like Deere & Company, potentially driving sales growth.
- Waste Management Industry Potential: WM reported $25.2 billion in revenue for 2022, a 14% increase, and with global population growth and rising waste management needs, the municipal waste management market is expected to grow from $250 billion to $426 billion by 2050, positioning WM to capture significant market share.
- Illinois Tool Works Strategy: Illinois Tool Works focuses on long-term strategies, and despite facing short-term challenges, analysts expect it to continue achieving steady single-digit revenue growth, accompanied by faster profit growth, highlighting its potential benefits from a rebound in industrial investments.
See More
Analysis of Bill Gates Foundation's Investment Portfolio
- Portfolio Overview: The Gates Foundation Trust manages over $31.6 billion in assets, with 63% allocated to three large-cap stocks, indicating a preference for stable returns amidst market volatility.
- Berkshire Hathaway: 26% of the trust's investments are in Berkshire Hathaway, a company with a market cap exceeding $1 trillion, providing robust financial support to the foundation through its diversified operations and consistent cash flow generation.
- Waste Management: 20% of the trust is invested in Waste Management, which not only maintains a strong position in waste collection but also shows growth potential in renewable energy and healthcare waste disposal, despite its stock performance being lackluster.
- Canadian National Railway: The trust holds 17% in Canadian National Railway, which, while facing economic challenges and stock underperformance, retains a strong transportation network and a relatively low debt ratio, offering some defensive qualities within the investment portfolio.
See More
Investment Overview of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Foundation Donations: Since 2000, the Gates Foundation has donated approximately $8.5 billion to 1,472 grantees, highlighting its significant impact on global philanthropy, although its investment decisions are managed separately from charitable activities.
- Portfolio Structure: As of the first quarter, the Gates Foundation Trust had over $31.6 billion in assets, with 63% invested in just three large-cap stocks, reflecting a preference for stable and mature companies, particularly Berkshire Hathaway.
- Role of Berkshire Hathaway: As the largest stock in the portfolio, Berkshire Hathaway boasts a market cap exceeding $1 trillion, showcasing its advantages in wealth preservation and growth, despite not growing as rapidly as pure-play AI companies.
- Challenges for Canadian National Railway: With 17% of the Gates Trust's investments in Canadian National Railway, which transports over $181 billion in goods annually, the stock has struggled due to trade tensions and economic downturns, yielding only a 1.5% gain over the past five years.
See More
Bill Gates Foundation Investment Insights
- Wealth Donation Plan: Bill Gates plans to donate nearly all of his wealth over the next 20 years, with the foundation expected to spend over $200 billion during this period, reflecting his ongoing commitment to combat global poverty and disease.
- Portfolio Structure: The Gates Foundation trust fund is primarily composed of value stocks, with Microsoft remaining a significant holding; despite recent share sales, Gates retains approximately $43 billion in Microsoft stock.
- Berkshire Hathaway Holdings: The foundation's largest position is in Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares, which account for 25% of the portfolio, bolstered by Warren Buffett's annual donations, ensuring a steady influx of funds for the foundation.
- WM Company Performance: WM, the second-largest holding in the foundation's portfolio at 18%, benefits from its strong market position and sustainable business initiatives, leading to margin improvements despite challenges posed by climate change.
See More
Gates Foundation Shifts Focus to Value Stocks
- Investment Strategy Shift: The Gates Foundation's investment managers are favoring value stocks over growth stocks, with two primary value stocks trading around fair value, indicating a preference for stable returns that may enhance the fund's long-term financial stability.
- Microsoft Share Donation Plan: Gates plans to donate nearly all of his Microsoft shares over the next 20 years, currently holding 103 million shares worth about $43 billion, which will reduce the fund's reliance on Microsoft while providing more capital to support its philanthropic mission.
- Berkshire Hathaway's Continued Investment: Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares account for about 25% of the fund's portfolio, benefiting from Warren Buffett's annual donations; despite high spending requirements, the fund has managed to retain a significant number of shares, reflecting a strong commitment to value investing.
- WM's Market Position: WM, formerly Waste Management, constitutes about 18% of the fund, leveraging its 262 active landfills and strong scale advantages, with EBITDA margins reaching 29.8% last quarter, showcasing growth potential in sustainable energy and medical waste, although its current P/E ratio of nearly 27 suggests a premium price for its competitive advantages.
See More
U.S. Industrial Activity Rebounds, Uncovering Investment Opportunities
- Industrial Production Surge: The U.S. industrial production index hit a six-year high in April, indicating a rebound in domestic industrial activity that is expected to enhance corporate production control and mitigate geopolitical risks.
- Agricultural Equipment Outlook: The USDA forecasts farm profits will reach $153.4 billion by 2026, stabilizing at high levels, suggesting Deere & Company's equipment sales may achieve mid-single-digit growth, driving a cyclical recovery in the industry.
- Waste Management Growth: Waste Management reported $25.2 billion in revenue last year, a 14% increase, and is poised to benefit from rising domestic consumer demand, with the global waste management market projected to grow to $426 billion by 2050.
- Diversified Investment Opportunities: Illinois Tool Works focuses on long-term strategies, and despite a 17% drop in stock price recently, its low-capital-cost product lineup positions it as one of the first beneficiaries of any industrial investment uptick, expected to continue stable revenue and profit growth.
See More
Signs of Recovery in Agricultural Machinery Sector
- Agricultural Machinery Outlook: The USDA forecasts that U.S. farms will achieve combined profits of $153.4 billion by 2026, stabilizing at 2025 levels, indicating a potential cyclical turnaround for the agricultural machinery sector after years of delayed equipment replacements.
- Industrial Activity Rebound: Domestic industrial production in the U.S. hit a six-year high in April, signaling a recovery in economic activity that could create a favorable market environment for manufacturers like Deere & Company, potentially driving sales growth.
- Waste Management Industry Potential: WM reported $25.2 billion in revenue for 2022, a 14% increase, and with global population growth and rising waste management needs, the municipal waste management market is expected to grow from $250 billion to $426 billion by 2050, positioning WM to capture significant market share.
- Illinois Tool Works Strategy: Illinois Tool Works focuses on long-term strategies, and despite facing short-term challenges, analysts expect it to continue achieving steady single-digit revenue growth, accompanied by faster profit growth, highlighting its potential benefits from a rebound in industrial investments.
See More
