Voya (VOYA) Upgraded to Buy: Here's Why

Core Viewpoint - Voya Financial (VOYA) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Institutional investors often rely on earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Voya's Earnings Outlook - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Voya is expected to earn $8.35 per share, with a 0.4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 reflects an improvement in Voya's underlying business, which is likely to drive the stock price higher [5][10]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have generated an average annual return of +25% 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].