What Makes First National (FXNC) a New Buy Stock

Core Viewpoint - First National Corp. (FXNC) 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 [4][6]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade for First National indicates a positive outlook for its earnings, suggesting potential buying pressure and an increase in stock price [3][5]. - First National is expected to earn $1.95 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, with no year-over-year change, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 2.6% over the past three months [8]. 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]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places First National in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].