Zacks Analyst Blog Features Visa, Merck, Southern Company, Community Bancorp, and Comstock

Podcast Overview: Episode #467 of the Zacks Market Edge Podcast features host Tracey Ryniec and guest Mark Zinski discussing three small-cap stocks in real estate and banking to consider for 2026, moving away from AI-focused investments.

Comstock Holding Companies (CHCI): This asset manager and developer in the Washington DC area has seen a 64% increase in shares year-to-date, with a market cap of $135 million and a price-to-book ratio of 2.4, but does not pay dividends.

C&F Financial Corp. (CFFI): A Virginia-based bank with a market cap of $224 million, C&F Financial has a dividend yield of 2.7% and is attractively priced with a P/B ratio of 0.9, despite a 3.4% decline in shares year-to-date.

Bank of the James Financial Group (BOTJ): This Central Virginia bank has a market cap of $80 million, pays a dividend yielding 2.2%, and has seen a 12.2% increase in shares year-to-date, trading at a P/B ratio of 1.2.

Featured Stocks: The Zacks Analyst Blog highlights stocks including Visa Inc., Merck & Co., The Southern Co., Community Bancorp, and Comstock Holding Companies, with a focus on their recent performance and market outlook.

Visa Inc. Overview: Visa's shares have outperformed its industry, driven by strong earnings, growth in cross-border transactions, and investments in technology, although it faces challenges from rising expenses and regulatory pressures.

Merck & Co. Insights: Merck has underperformed its industry due to competitive pressures and challenges with its key drug, Keytruda, but has seen growth from new products and is pursuing M&A to enhance its pipeline.

Southern Company and Microcap Stocks: Southern Company shows stable growth potential despite high leverage risks, while Community Bancorp and Comstock Holding Companies have outperformed their respective industries, supported by strong earnings and strategic growth initiatives.