Zacks analysts published research on 16 major stocks on October 14, 2026. Mastercard received a Neutral rating despite strong performance, citing competitive pricing pressure and premium valuation concerns. AstraZeneca faces patent erosion challenges but benefits from strong pipeline drugs and expects $80 billion in revenues by 2030. SanDisk received an Outperform rating, driven by AI inference demand and strong datacenter exposure. Other notable stocks analyzed include Exelon, General Mills, and Halozyme, with mixed outlooks across various sectors.

Merck's blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda generated $16.40 billion in first-half 2026 sales, up 4.2% year-over-year, with expectations for continued growth through 2028 when it reaches peak sales of $35 billion. However, the company faces significant headwinds as biosimilar competition is expected around 2028-2029, which will likely cause sharp sales declines. Merck stock has outperformed the industry year-to-date but currently holds a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) rating.

The global oncology market is experiencing rapid growth due to rising cancer incidence, aging populations, and medical advances including immunotherapies, targeted medicines, and personalized vaccines. Major pharmaceutical companies are investing heavily in oncology R&D, with innovations in antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and next-generation immunotherapies. Three companies highlighted for oncology exposure are Pfizer, Merit Medical Systems, and Abbott Laboratories.

Pfizer's oncology revenues rose 3% to $4.17 billion in Q2 2026, representing 27% of total revenues. The company expects Q3 growth driven by newer drugs like Padcev, Lorbrena, and Braftovi-Mektovi, offset by declines in Ibrance and Adcetris. Pfizer is advancing the dual PD-1/VEGF inhibitor PF-08634404 across nine studies including two pivotal phase III trials. The stock trades at an attractive valuation with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rating.

Eli Lilly's oncology segment is projected to generate $2.65 billion in Q3 2026 revenues, with growth driven by newer drugs like Jaypirca, Retevmo, and Inluriyo offsetting slower Verzenio sales. The company faces intense competition from AstraZeneca, Merck, and Pfizer in the oncology space. LLY stock has risen 10.6% year-to-date but trades at a premium valuation of 26.80x forward earnings.

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (IRWD) is experiencing strong prescription demand for its primary product Linzess, with U.S. net profit share surging 72.6% year-over-year in the first half of 2026. The company raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $460-$485 million, citing continued momentum from Linzess sales, recent FDA label expansion for pediatric patients, and favorable pricing dynamics. IRWD stock is trading at a valuation discount to the industry and carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rating.

Astrazeneca (AZN) closed at $158.61, up 1.33%, outperforming the S&P 500. The pharmaceutical company is expected to report earnings on October 30, 2026, with predicted EPS of $2.16 (down 9.24% YoY) and revenue of $16.07 billion (up 5.82% YoY). AZN holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) with a Forward P/E of 16.71, trading at a discount to its industry average of 22.46.

Merck's stock declined 7.2% recently after a strong 60% annual gain, but analysts view this as a healthy pullback. While the company faces near-term headwinds including Gardasil weakness, generic competition, and Keytruda's 2028 patent expiration, its expanding pipeline with 20 new drug launches expected by 2030 and strategic acquisitions position it for long-term growth. The company maintains a Hold rating with potential as a buying opportunity for long-term investors.

Summit Therapeutics announced a clinical collaboration with AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo to evaluate ivonescimab in combination with Datroway across multiple solid tumors, starting with a phase III study in first-line triple-negative breast cancer. This partnership builds on AstraZeneca's $2 billion investment in Summit announced the previous week, expanding ivonescimab's development pipeline and creating additional clinical and commercial opportunities.

Eli Lilly announced FDA approval for Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib) as a first-line treatment for previously untreated CLL/SLL patients without 17p deletion. The drug reduced disease progression or death risk by 80% versus chemoimmunotherapy in the phase III BRUIN CLL-313 study. Jaypirca sales grew 66% to $357 million in H1 2026, with the drug's non-covalent BTK inhibitor mechanism differentiating it from competitors like Brukinsa, Calquence, and Imbruvica.

Sanofi and Regeneron have expanded their longstanding alliance to co-develop four next-generation long-acting antibodies targeting type II inflammation. Regeneron will receive $1 billion upfront and up to $7 billion in milestone payments, with both companies equally sharing development costs and future profits. The collaboration builds on their successful Dupixent partnership, which generated €9.3 billion in sales in H1 2026 and is projected to reach €25 billion by 2030.

Europe's cancer metabolism-based therapeutics market is projected to grow from $1.12 billion in 2026 to $8.54 billion by 2035, representing a 25.3% CAGR. Growth is driven by Europe's high cancer burden, advances in molecular profiling, precision oncology adoption, and regulatory validation. Small molecules and oral administration routes dominate, with breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer as leading indications. Key players include AstraZeneca, Bayer, Novartis, Roche, and Servier.