ITT (ITT) Moves to Buy: Rationale Behind the Upgrade

Core Viewpoint - ITT has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to an upward 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 changes in earnings estimates, which are closely correlated with near-term stock price movements [2][4]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Business Improvement Indicators - Rising earnings estimates and the Zacks rating upgrade for ITT suggest an improvement in the company's underlying business, which could lead to higher stock prices as investors respond positively [5][10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions for ITT - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, ITT is expected to earn $6.48 per share, unchanged from the previous year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 2.1% over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System Overview - 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 averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [7]. - The upgrade of ITT to a Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].