HireQuest (HQI) Upgraded to Buy: Here's What You Should Know

Core Viewpoint - HireQuest, Inc. (HQI) 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 Impact - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of changing earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Rising earnings estimates for HireQuest indicate an improvement in the company's underlying business, likely leading to an increase in stock price [5][10]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank stock-rating system categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a proven track record of Zacks Rank 1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - The system maintains a balanced distribution of "buy" and "sell" ratings, ensuring that only the top 20% of stocks receive a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating [9][10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions for HireQuest - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, HireQuest is expected to earn $0.64 per share, with no year-over-year change [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for HireQuest has increased by 60%, reflecting positive sentiment among analysts [8].