Lincoln National (LNC) Upgraded to Strong Buy: Here's Why

Core Viewpoint - Lincoln National (LNC) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate, which reflects EPS estimates from sell-side analysts, and changes in these estimates are strongly correlated with stock price movements [4][6]. - Rising earnings estimates for Lincoln National suggest an improvement in the company's underlying business, which could lead to higher stock prices as investors respond positively [5][10]. Recent Performance and Projections - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Lincoln National is expected to earn $7.85 per share, with no year-over-year change, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 7.3% over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rating System Overview - 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 [7][9]. - The upgrade of Lincoln National to Zacks Rank 1 places it in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].