Southern Missouri Bancorp(SMBC) ZACKS·2024-10-31 17:00Core Viewpoint - Southern Missouri Bancorp (SMBC) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on rising earnings estimates, which are a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the correlation between changes in earnings estimates and stock price movements, particularly influenced by institutional investors who adjust their valuations based on these estimates [4][6]. - For the fiscal year ending June 2025, Southern Missouri Bancorp is projected to earn $4.90 per share, reflecting an 11.1% increase from the previous year, with a 4.3% rise in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank system categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a proven track record of Zacks Rank 1 stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - The upgrade of Southern Missouri Bancorp to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].