Company Performance - Morgan Stanley (MS) has returned 17.4% year-to-date, outperforming the average return of 11.8% for Finance companies [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Morgan Stanley's full-year earnings has increased by 2.8% over the past three months, indicating improved analyst sentiment and earnings outlook [3] Industry Comparison - Morgan Stanley is part of the Financial - Investment Bank industry, which has an average year-to-date return of 23.1%, suggesting that MS is slightly underperforming its industry [5] - In contrast, Aviva (AVVIY) has significantly outperformed both the Finance sector and its own industry, returning 57.1% year-to-date [4][6] Sector Ranking - The Finance sector, which includes 869 individual stocks, currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of 2, indicating strong performance relative to other sectors [2] - Morgan Stanley has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), reflecting its favorable position within the Finance sector [3]

Core Viewpoint - Aviva (AVVIY) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on rising earnings estimates, which are crucial for stock price movements [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of earnings estimate revisions, which have a strong correlation with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - For Aviva, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share (EPS) for the fiscal year ending December 2025 is projected at $1.38, showing no year-over-year change, but estimates have increased by 4.2% over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Aviva's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Company Performance - Aviva (AVVIY) has gained approximately 43.5% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the average return of 9.9% for Finance companies [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Aviva's full-year earnings has increased by 4.2% over the past quarter, indicating improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook [3] Industry Comparison - Aviva is part of the Insurance - Life Insurance industry, which consists of 16 companies and currently ranks 77 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This industry has an average gain of 3.7% year-to-date, showing that Aviva is performing better than its peers [5] - In contrast, Northern Trust Corporation, another strong performer in the Finance sector, belongs to the Banks - Major Regional industry, which has 10 stocks and is ranked 38, with a year-to-date gain of 7.2% [6]

Group 1 - EPR Properties is a notable stock within the Finance sector, currently ranked 5 among 16 groups in the Zacks Sector Rank [2] - The Zacks Rank system indicates that EPR Properties has a ranking of 2 (Buy), suggesting a favorable outlook for the stock [3] - EPR Properties has seen a year-to-date gain of approximately 27.7%, significantly outperforming the average Finance sector return of 4.4% [4] Group 2 - EPR Properties is categorized under the REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry, which ranks 91 among 21 stocks in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] - The REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry has experienced a decline of about 5.6% year-to-date, indicating that EPR Properties is performing better than its peers in this specific industry [6] - Another Finance stock, Aviva, has also outperformed the sector with a year-to-date increase of 40.8% and is categorized under the Insurance - Life Insurance industry, which ranks 71 [5][7]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of fundamental, income-oriented, long-term analysis conducted by buy-side hedge professionals across various sectors in developed markets globally [1] - It invites readers to engage in discussions regarding investment ideas, highlighting a collaborative approach to investment analysis [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific stock recommendations or investment advice, maintaining a neutral stance on the suitability of investments for individual investors [2][3] - It clarifies that the author has no current positions in any mentioned companies and does not plan to initiate any within the next 72 hours, ensuring transparency in the analysis [2]

Group 1 - Aviva is highlighted as an attractive income investment in the European insurance sector due to its high-dividend yield [1] - The author has extensive experience in the financial markets, specifically in portfolio management and analysis [1] Group 2 - No stock or derivative positions are held by the author in any mentioned companies, nor are there plans to initiate such positions [2] - The article reflects the author's personal opinions and is not influenced by compensation from any company [2]

Core Insights - EPR Properties is currently outperforming the Finance sector, with a year-to-date gain of approximately 24.8% compared to the sector's average return of 5.3% [4] - The Zacks Rank for EPR Properties is 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook and improving analyst sentiment [3] - EPR Properties is part of the REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry, which has seen an average loss of 5.1% this year, further highlighting EPR's strong performance [6] Company Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPR's full-year earnings has increased by 1.5% over the past quarter, reflecting a positive trend in earnings outlook [4] - EPR Properties is ranked 87 in the Zacks Industry Rank, indicating its relative strength within its industry [6] Comparison with Peers - Aviva has also outperformed the Finance sector with a year-to-date return of 41.5% and a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [5] - The Insurance - Life Insurance industry, to which Aviva belongs, is currently ranked 134 and has seen a modest increase of 1.3% this year [6]

Group 1 - GDS Holdings Limited (GDS), a data center operator from China, has seen a 12.5% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - monday.com Ltd. (MNDY), a software applications company, has experienced a 6.5% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC), a gold-mining company, has seen a significant 41.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Healthcare Services Group, Inc. (HCSG), which provides management, administrative, and operating services, has seen a 7.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Aviva plc (AVVIY), an insurance, retirement, and wealth products company, has seen a 3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3]

Group 1 - Aviva has shown strong year-to-date performance with a return of approximately 16.5%, significantly outperforming the Finance sector, which has returned an average of -2.6% [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Aviva's full-year earnings has increased by 0.8% over the past 90 days, indicating improved analyst sentiment and a stronger earnings outlook [4] - Aviva is ranked 5 in the Zacks Sector Rank among 859 companies in the Finance group, and it holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting it has characteristics to outperform the market in the near term [2][3] Group 2 - Aviva is part of the Insurance - Life Insurance industry, which consists of 16 companies and currently ranks 40 in the Zacks Industry Rank; this industry has seen an average loss of 6.5% year-to-date, highlighting Aviva's relative strength [6] - EPR Properties, another Finance stock, has returned 6.4% since the beginning of the year and has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), with a consensus EPS estimate increase of 1.1% over the past three months [5] - The REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry, to which EPR Properties belongs, is ranked 138 and has experienced a year-to-date decline of -10.7%, further emphasizing Aviva's superior performance in comparison [6]

Group 1 - EPR Properties is a member of the Finance sector, which includes 867 individual stocks and holds a Zacks Sector Rank of 2 [2] - EPR Properties has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook based on earnings estimates and revisions [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPR's full-year earnings has increased by 1.3% in the past quarter, reflecting improved analyst sentiment [4] Group 2 - EPR Properties has returned approximately 17.4% year-to-date, outperforming the Finance sector's average return of 4.1% [4] - EPR Properties belongs to the REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry, which has an average loss of 4.4% this year, indicating EPR's strong performance relative to its peers [6] - Aviva is another Finance stock that has outperformed the sector with a year-to-date return of 23.7% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5][6]