Zacks Research Daily published a research update on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, featuring analyst reports for Meta Platforms (META), Pfizer (PFE), Salesforce (CRM), and micro-cap Smith-Midland Corp (SMID). The article notes that META shares have declined 7.9% over the past year, underperforming the broader Zacks Internet - Software industry which is down 16.2%. Analysts attribute this underperformance to rising cost inflation in AI infrastructure, persistent losses in Reality Labs, and elevated regulatory scrutiny. However, the report highlights that Meta is deepening its AI integration across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, with recent quarter data suggesting that recommendation upgrades and new advertiser tools are improving engagement and ad efficiency. Management remains committed to a multi-year buildout of frontier models and supporting data center capacity to maintain the core ads engine while expanding monetization in messaging and commerce, alongside the rollout of smart glasses as a new product vector. Regarding Pfizer, shares have gained 25.9% over the past year, outpacing the industry average which is up 29.9%. The company recently beat first-quarter estimates for both earnings and sales following a three-year period hampered by a sharp decline in COVID-related product revenue. Non-COVID operational revenues are recovering through key products like Vyndaqel, Padcev, and Eliquis, as well as new launches and acquired assets. Challenges remain regarding upcoming patent expirations on major drugs scheduled for 2026-2030, which could pressure growth, yet the company expects new and acquired products to partially offset these losses. Pfizer is also rebuilding its pipeline in oncology and obesity with expectations of driving growth starting in 2028, and it has provided revenue guidance for 2026 indicating mostly flat to slightly negative growth. For Salesforce (CRM), shares have significantly underperformed the Zacks Internet - Software industry over the past year, dropping 41.7% compared to the sector's decline of 16.2%. The primary concerns cited are stiff market competition and unfavorable currency fluctuations within a challenging macroeconomic environment that could impact future growth. Despite these headwinds, the report points to a robust demand environment as customers undergo major digital transformations, aligning products with customer needs has driven top-line growth, and continued deal wins in international markets serve as a growth driver. Acquisitions such as Slack, Informatica, Waii, and Convergence.ai have broadened the portfolio to compete better against enterprise software providers, while partnerships with Amazon and Alphabet aid international expansion. Salesforce’s strategy of continuously expanding its generative AI offerings aims to capitalize on growing opportunities in that specific space. Finally, the report covers Smith-Midland (SMID), a micro-cap company with a market capitalization of approximately $163.23 million, which has underperformed its Building Products - Concrete and Aggregates industry sector. The investment case centers on a shift toward higher-margin, recurring, and asset-light revenue streams supported by infrastructure demand. Barrier rentals are identified as the core growth driver, with nine-month rental revenues surging 88% year over year, aided by high utilization and margin-accretive MASH-compliant fleets. Specific product lines including Proprietary SlenderWall contributed $1.1 million in Q3 after no prior-year sales, soundwall growth rose 52% year over year, and Easi-Set modular buildings grew 50% year over year capturing public and infrastructure projects. Margins remained resilient at 26.8% due to disciplined cost control, a strong balance sheet supports investment, and a $54.8-million backlog combined with government infrastructure tailwinds provides visibility into growth for 2026.