Core Viewpoint - Waste Connections reported quarterly earnings of $1.13 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.07 per share, and showing an increase from $1.04 per share a year ago, indicating a 5.61% earnings surprise [1][2] Financial Performance - The company achieved revenues of $2.23 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.42%, and up from $2.07 billion year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Waste Connections has exceeded consensus EPS estimates three times and topped revenue estimates four times [2] Stock Performance - Waste Connections shares have increased approximately 15.3% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with a -10.1% decline in the S&P 500 [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.34 on revenues of $2.41 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $5.26 on revenues of $9.52 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Waste Connections is mixed, which may change following the recent earnings report [6] Industry Context - The Waste Removal Services industry, to which Waste Connections belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 23% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting potential challenges ahead [8]

Core Viewpoint - Lam Research (LRCX) reported quarterly earnings of $1.04 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1 per share, and showing an increase from $0.78 per share a year ago, indicating a positive earnings surprise of 4% [1][2] Financial Performance - The company achieved revenues of $4.72 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.64%, and up from $3.79 billion in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Lam Research has consistently exceeded consensus EPS estimates and revenue estimates [2] Stock Performance - Lam Research shares have declined approximately 12.1% since the beginning of the year, compared to a decline of 10.1% for the S&P 500 [3] - The stock's immediate price movement will largely depend on management's commentary during the earnings call [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.96 on revenues of $4.54 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $3.73 on revenues of $17.73 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Lam Research is currently favorable, resulting in a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for the stock, indicating expected outperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Electronics - Semiconductors industry, to which Lam Research belongs, is currently ranked in the top 16% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable industry outlook [8]

Core Viewpoint - Churchill Downs reported quarterly earnings of $1.07 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.08 per share, and down from $1.13 per share a year ago, indicating a negative earnings surprise of -0.93% [1] - The company posted revenues of $642.6 million for the quarter, which also fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.68%, but showed an increase from $590.9 million year-over-year [2] Financial Performance - Over the last four quarters, Churchill Downs has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times [2] - The company has also topped consensus revenue estimates two times in the same period [2] - Year-to-date, Churchill Downs shares have declined approximately 22.9%, compared to a 10.1% decline in the S&P 500 [3] Future Outlook - The company's earnings outlook is crucial for investors, as it includes current consensus earnings expectations for upcoming quarters and any recent changes to these expectations [4] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the next quarter is $3.24 on revenues of $942.99 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $6.58 on revenues of $2.94 billion [7] Industry Context - The Gaming industry, to which Churchill Downs belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 42% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting potential challenges ahead [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which could impact the stock's performance [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the reliability of Wall Street analysts' recommendations, particularly focusing on Deckers (DECK), and emphasizes the importance of using these recommendations in conjunction with other analytical tools like Zacks Rank for making informed investment decisions [1][5][10]. Summary by Sections Brokerage Recommendations - Deckers has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.85, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy, based on 20 brokerage firms' recommendations [2]. - Out of the 20 recommendations, 11 are Strong Buy and 1 is Buy, which accounts for 55% and 5% of all recommendations respectively [2]. Limitations of Brokerage Recommendations - Solely relying on the ABR for investment decisions may not be advisable, as studies show that brokerage recommendations often fail to guide investors effectively towards stocks with high price appreciation potential [5]. - Analysts from brokerage firms tend to exhibit a strong positive bias in their ratings due to vested interests, issuing five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" [6][10]. Zacks Rank as an Alternative - Zacks Rank is presented as a more reliable tool, categorizing stocks into five groups based on earnings estimate revisions, which have shown a strong correlation with near-term stock price movements [8][11]. - The Zacks Rank is updated more frequently than the ABR, reflecting timely changes in analysts' earnings estimates [12]. Current Earnings Estimates for Deckers - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Deckers has declined by 1.2% over the past month to $5.88, indicating growing pessimism among analysts regarding the company's earnings prospects [13]. - This decline in consensus estimates has resulted in a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) for Deckers, suggesting caution despite the Buy-equivalent ABR [14].

Core Viewpoint - Ryder reported quarterly earnings of $2.46 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.40 per share, and showing an increase from $2.14 per share a year ago, indicating a positive earnings surprise of 2.50% [1][2] Financial Performance - Ryder's revenues for the quarter ended March 2025 were $3.13 billion, which fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.26%, compared to $3.1 billion in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, the company has consistently surpassed consensus EPS estimates, but has not been able to beat revenue estimates during the same period [2] Stock Performance - Ryder shares have declined approximately 12% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has decreased by 10.1% [3] - The current Zacks Rank for Ryder is 4 (Sell), indicating expectations of underperformance in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $3.23 on revenues of $3.26 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $13.54 on revenues of $13.2 billion [7] - The trend of estimate revisions for Ryder has been unfavorable leading up to the earnings release [6] Industry Context - The Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry, to which Ryder belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 17% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a challenging environment for stock performance [8]

While earnings and revenue growth expectations are important in evaluating the potential strength in a stock, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. For Journey Medical, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1100% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. And a negative trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't usually translate into price appreciation. So, make sure to keep an eye on D ...

Core Insights - Tesla reported quarterly earnings of $0.27 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.44 per share, and down from $0.45 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of -38.64% [1] - The company posted revenues of $19.34 billion for the quarter, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.85%, and down from $21.3 billion year-over-year [2] - Tesla shares have declined approximately 43.7% year-to-date, compared to a 12.3% decline in the S&P 500 [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.57 on revenues of $24.62 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.61 on revenues of $103.99 billion [7] - The trend of estimate revisions for Tesla has been unfavorable, resulting in a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) for the stock, indicating expected underperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Automotive - Domestic industry, to which Tesla belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 15% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a challenging environment for stock performance [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]

Core Insights - Glacier Bancorp (GBCI) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.48 per share, a 65.5% increase year-over-year, with revenues projected at $225.35 million, reflecting a 14.7% increase [1] Earnings Projections - The consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged over the past 30 days, indicating analysts' reassessment of their initial projections [1][2] - Revisions to earnings projections are crucial for predicting investor behavior and stock price performance [2] Key Metrics Forecast - Analysts predict an 'Efficiency Ratio' of 67.1%, down from 74.4% in the same quarter last year [4] - 'Non-accrual loans' are expected to reach $24.16 million, up from $20.74 million year-over-year [4] - 'Total non-performing assets' are forecasted at $32.01 million, compared to $25.43 million a year ago [4] Financial Performance Indicators - 'Average Balances - Total earning assets' are projected at $25.91 billion, down from $26.44 billion in the same quarter last year [5] - 'Total Non-Interest Income' is expected to be $32.47 million, an increase from $29.99 million year-over-year [5] - 'Net Interest Income' is forecasted at $192.36 million, up from $166.48 million in the same quarter last year [6] - 'Net interest income (tax-equivalent)' is projected at $194.79 million, compared to $170.47 million a year ago [7] Stock Performance - Over the past month, shares of Glacier Bancorp have declined by 14%, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has decreased by 8.9% [7] - GBCI currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting its performance may align with the overall market in the near future [7]

Core Viewpoint - Valero Energy (VLO) is expected to report a significant decline in quarterly earnings and revenues, with analysts predicting earnings of $0.43 per share, an 88.7% decrease year-over-year, and revenues of $28.45 billion, a 10.4% decrease from the previous year [1]. Earnings Estimates - Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised upward by 8.3%, indicating a collective reassessment by analysts [2]. - Revisions to earnings projections are crucial for predicting investor behavior and are strongly correlated with short-term stock price performance [3]. Revenue Projections - Analysts estimate 'Total operating revenues - Renewable diesel' at $635.55 million, reflecting a 55% decrease from the prior-year quarter [5]. - The 'Total operating revenues - Ethanol' is projected to be $997.56 million, indicating a 9.6% decline from the year-ago quarter [5]. - 'Total operating revenues - Refining' is expected to be $27.22 billion, showing a year-over-year change of -9.7% [6]. Refining Margins - The consensus for 'U.S. Mid-Continent region - Refining margin per barrel of throughput' is $8.98, down from $13.20 in the same quarter last year [6]. - For the 'U.S. West Coast region - Refining margin per barrel of throughput', the estimate is $11.51, compared to $12.62 a year ago [7]. - The 'U.S. Gulf Coast region - Refining margin per barrel of throughput' is projected at $8.87, down from $14.11 in the same quarter last year [7]. Throughput Volumes - Analysts predict 'Refining - Total Throughput volumes per day' to be 2,824.11 thousand barrels of oil, an increase from 2,760 thousand barrels of oil year-over-year [8]. - 'U.S. Gulf Coast region - Throughput volumes per day' is expected to reach 1,732.09 thousand barrels of oil, up from 1,594 thousand barrels of oil in the same quarter last year [8]. - 'U.S. Mid-Continent region - Throughput volumes per day' is forecasted at 426.77 thousand barrels of oil, down from 452 thousand barrels of oil a year ago [9]. Regional Insights - 'North Atlantic region - Throughput volumes per day' is estimated at 465.99 thousand barrels of oil, slightly up from 449 thousand barrels of oil in the previous year [10]. - The estimated 'North Atlantic region - Refining margin per barrel of throughput' is $11.82, down from $15.67 in the same quarter last year [10]. Stock Performance - Valero Energy shares have returned -17.5% over the past month, underperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which saw a -8.9% change [11].

Company Performance - Southern First (SFST) reported quarterly earnings of $0.65 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.61 per share, and showing a significant increase from $0.31 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 6.56% [1] - The company posted revenues of $26.5 million for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.95%, compared to $21.31 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Southern First has consistently surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times and topped consensus revenue estimates three times [2] Stock Outlook - Southern First shares have declined approximately 18.7% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has decreased by 12.3% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.65 on revenues of $26.31 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.67 on revenues of $106.66 million [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Southern First is currently favorable, leading to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) for the stock, indicating expected outperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Banks - Southeast industry, to which Southern First belongs, is currently ranked in the top 33% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a positive outlook for stocks within this sector [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]