
Core Viewpoint - Range Resources (RRC) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system is based on the consensus measure of EPS estimates from sell-side analysts, reflecting the company's changing earnings picture [1][2]. - A strong correlation exists between earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements, making the Zacks rating system valuable for investors [4][6]. Institutional Investor Influence - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of a company's shares, impacting stock price movements through their large transactions [4]. Business Improvement Indicators - The upgrade in rating for Range Resources signifies an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to drive stock appreciation [5][10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending December 2024, Range Resources is projected to earn $2.15 per share, reflecting a decrease of 10.4% from the previous year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 23.5% over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System Overview - The Zacks Rank system categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a historical average annual return of +25% for Zacks Rank 1 stocks since 1988 [7]. - Only the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a 'Strong Buy' or 'Buy' rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions [9][10].