Investors might want to bet on Abrdn PLC Unsponsored ADR (SLFPY) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.Indivi ...

Core Viewpoint - Woori Bank has received a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) upgrade due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, indicating a positive outlook for its stock price [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is primarily influenced by changes in a company's earnings potential, which is strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Rising earnings estimates for Woori Bank suggest an improvement in its underlying business, which could lead to higher stock prices as investors respond positively [5][10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Woori Bank is expected to earn $8.74 per share, unchanged from the previous year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 2.5% over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Woori Bank'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].

Core Viewpoint - Dell Technologies has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on rising earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][2]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system is effective for individual investors as it focuses on earnings estimate revisions, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [2][3]. - Institutional investors rely on earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to price movements based on their buying or selling actions [3]. Business Improvement Indicators - The upgrade in Dell Technologies' rating reflects an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to drive the stock price higher as investors recognize this trend [4]. Importance of Earnings Estimate Revisions - Research shows a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and stock movements, making it beneficial for investors to track these revisions [5]. - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks based on earnings estimates, with a proven track record of generating significant returns for top-rated stocks [6]. Current Earnings Estimates for Dell Technologies - Dell Technologies is projected to earn $9.54 per share for the fiscal year ending January 2026, with no year-over-year change, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 1% over the past three months [7]. Zacks Rating System Overview - The Zacks rating system maintains a balanced distribution of ratings, ensuring that only the top 20% of stocks receive a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions [8][9]. - Dell Technologies' upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for higher stock movement in the near term [9].

Hengan International Group Co., Ltd. Unsponsored ADR (HEGIY) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current ...

Core Viewpoint - HF Sinclair has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (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 emphasizes the importance of earnings estimate revisions, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - HF Sinclair's rising earnings estimates reflect an improvement in its underlying business, likely leading to an increase in stock price [5]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, HF Sinclair is expected to earn $3.57 per share, unchanged from the previous year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 50.9% over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with only the top 20% receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions [9][10]. - HF Sinclair's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Core Viewpoint - Lynas Corp. 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 Performance - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are closely correlated with stock price movements [4][6]. - For the fiscal year ending June 2026, Lynas is expected to earn $0.20 per share, with a 33.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups, with only the top 20% receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions [9][10]. - Lynas's upgrade places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Core Viewpoint - Marubeni Corp. has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][4]. Earnings Estimates and Revisions - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Marubeni indicates expected earnings of $22.81 per share for the fiscal year ending March 2026, showing no year-over-year change [9]. - Over the past three months, analysts have raised their earnings estimates for Marubeni by 19.6% [9]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks rating system is based solely on a company's changing earnings picture, tracking EPS estimates from sell-side analysts [2]. - The system classifies stocks into five groups, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [8]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a "Strong Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions [10][11]. Market Implications - Rising earnings estimates and the Zacks rating upgrade suggest an improvement in Marubeni's underlying business, likely leading to increased stock price [6]. - The correlation between earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements highlights the importance of tracking these revisions for investment decisions [7].

Cintas (CTAS) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.2 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.19 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.1 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +0.84%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this uniform rental company would post earnings of $1.07 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.09, delivering a surprise of +1.87%.Over the last four quarters, the comp ...

Core Viewpoint - The average brokerage recommendation (ABR) for AppFolio (APPF) is 1.86, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy, based on recommendations from seven brokerage firms [2] Brokerage Recommendation Trends - The current ABR of 1.86 is derived from seven recommendations, with four classified as Strong Buy, accounting for 57.1% of the total recommendations [2] - Despite the positive ABR, caution is advised as studies indicate limited success of brokerage recommendations in predicting stock price increases [5][10] Zacks Rank vs. ABR - Zacks Rank categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimate revisions, with a strong correlation to near-term stock price movements [8][11] - The Zacks Rank for AppFolio is 3 (Hold), indicating a more cautious outlook compared to the ABR [15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AppFolio's current year earnings remains unchanged at $5.36, suggesting stable analyst views on the company's earnings prospects [14] Analyst Bias - Analysts from brokerage firms tend to exhibit a positive bias in their ratings due to vested interests, often issuing more favorable ratings than warranted [6][10] - This bias can mislead investors, making it essential to use brokerage recommendations as a validation tool rather than a sole decision-making factor [7][11]

Core Viewpoint - Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) has experienced a stock return of -5.6% over the past month, underperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% and the Zacks Medical - Instruments industry's -5.4% [1] Earnings Estimate Revisions - The consensus earnings estimate for the current quarter is $1.99 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +8.2% [4] - The consensus earnings estimate for the current fiscal year is $8.17, indicating a year-over-year change of +11.3%, remaining unchanged over the last 30 days [4] - For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate is $9.18, representing a +12.4% change from the previous year, with a slight decrease of -0.2% over the past month [5] - Intuitive Surgical has a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating potential underperformance in the near term due to recent changes in earnings estimates [6] Revenue Growth Forecast - The consensus sales estimate for the current quarter is $2.41 billion, showing a year-over-year increase of +18.2% [10] - For the current fiscal year, the sales estimate is $9.78 billion, indicating a +17.1% change, while the next fiscal year's estimate is $11.14 billion, reflecting a +14% change [10] Last Reported Results and Surprise History - In the last reported quarter, Intuitive Surgical generated revenues of $2.44 billion, a year-over-year increase of +21.4%, with an EPS of $2.19 compared to $1.78 a year ago [11] - The company reported a revenue surprise of +3.93% compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate and an EPS surprise of +14.06% [11] - Intuitive Surgical has consistently beaten consensus EPS estimates in the last four quarters and topped revenue estimates three times during this period [12] Valuation - Intuitive Surgical is graded D on the Zacks Value Style Score, indicating it is trading at a premium compared to its peers [16]