
Core Viewpoint - Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][2]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [3][5]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to price movements based on their buying or selling activities [3]. Business Improvement Indicators - The upgrade in earnings estimates for Cal-Maine suggests an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to drive the stock price higher [4][9]. - Cal-Maine is projected to earn $15.59 per share for the fiscal year ending May 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 174% [7]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [6][8]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a 'Strong Buy' rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions and potential for market-beating returns [8][9]. Recent Performance of Cal-Maine - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cal-Maine has increased by 82.6%, highlighting a positive trend in earnings expectations [7].