Why Virtu Financial (VIRT) is a Top Stock for the Long-Term

Core Insights - Zacks offers various investment opportunities and tools aimed at long-term success in the stock market [1] - The Zacks Focus List is a curated portfolio of 50 stocks expected to outperform the market over the next 12 months [3][4] Performance Metrics - In 2020, the Focus List gained 13.85% annually, outperforming the S&P 500's return of 9.38% [5] - Cumulatively, the Focus List has returned 2,519.23% from February 1, 1996, to March 31, 2021, compared to the S&P's 854.95% [5] Methodology - The Focus List relies on earnings estimate revisions from brokerage analysts, which assess various factors affecting future earnings [6] - Stocks are selected based on upward earnings estimate revisions, indicating potential future price momentum [7][10] - The Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock-rating model, classifies stocks into five groups based on four main factors: Agreement, Magnitude, Upside, and Surprise [9] Spotlight on Virtu Financial - Virtu Financial, a market-leading financial services firm, was added to the Focus List on July 31, 2023, at $18.90 per share [11][12] - Since its addition, shares have increased by 64.71% to $31.13, with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [12] - Six analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards for fiscal 2024, with the consensus estimate increasing by $0.48 to $2.96 [12] - Virtu's earnings are projected to grow by 60.9% for the current fiscal year [12]