When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.Sterling Infrastructure currently has an average ...

Shares of Cummins (CMI) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 9.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $547.43 in the previous session. Cummins has gained 7.1% since the start of the year compared to the 10.6% move for the Zacks Auto-Tires-Trucks sector and the 57.9% return for the Zacks Automotive - Internal Combustion Engines industry.What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consens ...

Key Takeaways Robinhood continues to show notable platform momentum through its quarterly results. HOOD posted records for sales, net deposits, and Gold subscribers in its latest release. Platform activity remains strong, with ARPU soaring 82% YoY throughout its latest period. Robinhood Markets (HOOD) , through its subsidiaries, provides a platform to trade stocks, options, crypto, futures (including event contracts), invest for retirement, and earn with Robinhood Gold. The stock currently sports the highly ...

Company Performance - Boston Scientific (BSX) closed at $97.79, with a gain of +2.42%, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.62% on the same day [1] - Prior to this trading session, BSX shares had increased by 1.75%, contrasting with the Medical sector's decline of 1.22% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.59% [1] Earnings Projections - The company is expected to release its earnings on February 4, 2026, with projected EPS of $0.78, reflecting an 11.43% increase year-over-year [2] - Revenue for the upcoming quarter is anticipated to be $5.27 billion, indicating a 15.44% increase compared to the same quarter last year [2] Fiscal Year Estimates - For the entire fiscal year, earnings are projected at $3.04 per share, representing a +21.12% change from the previous year, while revenue is estimated at $20.06 billion, showing no change [3] - Recent analyst estimate revisions for Boston Scientific suggest positive short-term business trends, which are typically seen as favorable for the business outlook [3] Stock Valuation - Boston Scientific is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 27.65, which is higher than the industry average of 19.35 [6] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.69, compared to the Medical - Products industry's average PEG ratio of 1.71 [6] Industry Ranking - The Medical - Products industry, part of the Medical sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 162, placing it in the bottom 34% of over 250 industries [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Company Performance - Intrusion Inc. closed at $1.21, down 3.97% from the previous trading session, underperforming the S&P 500 which gained 0.62% [1] - The stock has decreased by 16% over the past month, compared to a loss of 1.47% in the Computer and Technology sector and a gain of 0.59% in the S&P 500 [1] Upcoming Earnings - Analysts expect Intrusion Inc. to report earnings of -$0.09 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 75% [2] - Revenue is projected to be $2.06 million, indicating a 22.32% increase compared to the same quarter last year [2] Full Year Estimates - For the full year, earnings are projected at -$0.41 per share, showing a change of +74.85% from the previous year, while revenue is expected to remain at $7.67 million [3] - Recent revisions to analyst forecasts are important as they reflect short-term business trends and can indicate analyst optimism about the company's profitability [3] Zacks Rank and Industry Performance - The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), currently rates Intrusion Inc. at 4 (Sell) [5] - The Computer - Networking industry, part of the Computer and Technology sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 43, placing it in the top 18% of over 250 industries [6]

In the latest close session, Pilgrim's Pride (PPC) was down 5.42% at $37.55. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.62%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.99%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.65%. Shares of the poultry producer witnessed a gain of 3.39% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Consumer Staples sector with its loss of 1.6%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.59%.Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of ...

In the latest trading session, Coupang, Inc. (CPNG) closed at $23.53, marking a +2.8% move from the previous day. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.62%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.99%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.65%. Shares of the company have depreciated by 16.25% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 0.14%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.59%.The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings ...

Kinder Morgan (KMI) closed the most recent trading day at $26.82, moving -3.87% from the previous trading session. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.62%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.99%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.65%. Prior to today's trading, shares of the oil and natural gas pipeline and storage company had gained 2.24% outpaced the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 0.26% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.59%.Investors will be eagerly watching ...

Group 1 - Plug Power's stock closed at $2.40, reflecting a +1.05% change from the previous day's closing price, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.62% [1] - Over the past month, Plug Power's shares have appreciated by 9.72%, contrasting with the Computer and Technology sector's decline of 1.47% and the S&P 500's increase of 0.59% [1] Group 2 - Analysts expect Plug Power to report earnings of -$0.11 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 93.33%, with revenue forecasted at $219.96 million, representing a 14.88% increase compared to the same quarter last year [2] - For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of -$0.8 per share and revenue of $701.76 million, reflecting changes of +70.15% and 0% respectively from the previous year [3] Group 3 - Recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Plug Power are noteworthy, as they often indicate changing near-term business trends, with upward revisions suggesting analysts' positive outlook on the company's operations and profit generation capabilities [4] - The Zacks Rank system, which evaluates stocks from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), has shown that 1 stocks have generated an average annual return of +25% since 1988, with Plug Power currently holding a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [6] Group 4 - The Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry, part of the Computer and Technology sector, holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 91, placing it in the top 38% of over 250 industries, indicating strong performance potential [7]

Marathon Petroleum (MPC) closed the most recent trading day at $170.42, moving -2.58% from the previous trading session. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.62%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.99%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.65%. Coming into today, shares of the refiner had lost 7.76% in the past month. In that same time, the Oils-Energy sector gained 0.26%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.59%. Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Marathon ...