Wintrust(US:WTFC) ZACKS·2026-01-27 18:01Core Viewpoint - Wintrust Financial (WTFC) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on rising earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system focuses on changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements, particularly due to institutional investors adjusting their valuations based on these estimates [4][6]. - For Wintrust, the increase in earnings estimates suggests an improvement in the company's underlying business, likely leading to higher stock prices as investors respond positively to this trend [5][8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies 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]. - Wintrust's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending December 2026, Wintrust is expected to earn $12.26 per share, with a 2.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months, reflecting analysts' growing confidence in the company's performance [8].