Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors select stocks with the highest potential to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - The Style Scores categorize stocks into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score, each assessing different investment characteristics [3][4][5][6] - Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios [3] - Growth Score evaluates a company's future earnings and financial health to find sustainable growth opportunities [4] - Momentum Score identifies trends in stock prices and earnings estimates to optimize entry points for investments [5] - VGM Score combines all three styles to highlight stocks with the best overall potential [6] Zacks Rank and Performance - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to assist in stock selection [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +23.64% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - Investors are encouraged to focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal returns [9] Stock Analysis: Nasdaq Inc. (NDAQ) - Nasdaq Inc. is currently rated 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of B, indicating a stable position [11] - The company is projected to experience a year-over-year earnings growth of 17.7% for the current fiscal year, supported by positive earnings estimate revisions [12] - Nasdaq has an average earnings surprise of +4.4%, making it a potential candidate for growth investors [12]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the reliability of brokerage recommendations, particularly focusing on Analog Devices (ADI), and highlights the potential misalignment of interests between brokerage analysts and retail investors [1][10]. Brokerage Recommendations - Analog Devices has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.64, indicating a position between Strong Buy and Buy, based on recommendations from 33 brokerage firms [2]. - Of the 33 recommendations, 21 are classified as Strong Buy (63.6%) and 3 as Buy (9.1%) [2]. Limitations of Brokerage Recommendations - Solely relying on brokerage recommendations for investment decisions may not be advisable, as studies suggest they 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, with a ratio of five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" [6][10]. Zacks Rank as an Alternative - The Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock rating tool, categorizes stocks from Strong Buy to Strong Sell and is based on earnings estimate revisions, showing a strong correlation with near-term stock price movements [8][11]. - The Zacks Rank is updated more frequently than the ABR, making it a more timely indicator of future price movements [12]. Earnings Estimates for Analog Devices - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Analog Devices has increased by 0.8% over the past month to $7.75, reflecting growing analyst optimism regarding the company's earnings prospects [13]. - The recent change in consensus estimates, along with other factors, has resulted in a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) for Analog Devices, suggesting a potential for stock price appreciation [14].

Earnings Report - Worthington Steel, Inc. is set to release its first-quarter earnings results on September 24, with analysts expecting earnings of 72 cents per share, an increase from 56 cents per share in the same period last year [1] - The company projects quarterly revenue of $736 million, down from $834 million reported a year earlier [1] Recent Performance - On June 25, Worthington Steel reported fourth-quarter earnings of $1.05 per share, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of 82 cents per share [2] - Following this report, Worthington Steel shares increased by 0.3%, closing at $33.68 [2] Analyst Ratings - Keybanc analyst Matthew Gilmor maintained an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $34 to $36 on September 16, 2025, with an accuracy rate of 68% [7] - Seaport Global analyst Martin Englert initiated coverage on the stock with a Neutral rating on March 11, 2024, having an accuracy rate of 49% [7]

Group 1 - Cintas Corporation is set to release its first-quarter earnings on September 24, with analysts expecting earnings of $1.2 per share, an increase from $1.1 per share in the same period last year [1] - The company's quarterly revenue is projected to be $2.7 billion, up from $2.5 billion a year earlier [1] - Cintas has increased its quarterly cash dividend from 39 cents to 45 cents as of July 29 [1] Group 2 - Cintas shares experienced a slight decline of 0.2%, closing at $199.51 [2] - Analysts have provided various ratings and price targets for Cintas, with RBC Capital setting a target of $240, Baird at $230, Morgan Stanley at $220, JP Morgan at $239, and Wells Fargo at $221 [7]

Group 1 - AutoZone is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings on September 23, with expected earnings of $50.95 per share, a decrease from $51.58 per share in the same period last year [1] - The company projects quarterly revenue of $6.25 billion, slightly up from $6.21 billion a year earlier [1] - In the third quarter, AutoZone reported earnings per share of $35.36, missing the analyst consensus estimate of $37.17, while quarterly sales reached $4.46 billion, reflecting a 5.4% year-over-year increase [2] Group 2 - AutoZone's same-store sales grew by 3.2%, driven by strength in the domestic segment [2] - Analysts have provided various ratings and price target adjustments for AutoZone, with Raymond James raising the price target to $4,900 and maintaining a Strong Buy rating [5] - Other analysts, including those from JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, Barclays, and UBS, have also raised their price targets, indicating a generally positive outlook for the stock [5]

Earnings Report - Ferguson Enterprises Inc. is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings results on September 16, with expected earnings of $3.01 per share, an increase from $2.98 per share in the same period last year [1] - The company is projected to report quarterly revenue of $8.39 billion, up from $7.95 billion a year earlier [1] Dividend Declaration - On September 11, Ferguson's board declared a dividend of 83 cents per share [2] - Following the announcement, Ferguson Enterprises shares rose by 0.7%, closing at $225.72 [2] Analyst Ratings - Wells Fargo analyst Sam Reid maintained an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $230 to $250 [4] - Morgan Stanley analyst Annelies Vermeulen also maintained an Overweight rating, increasing the price target from $195 to $220 [4] - Truist Securities analyst Keith Hughes maintained a Buy rating [4] - Oppenheimer analyst Scott Schneeberger maintained an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $189 to $235 [4] - RBC Capital analyst Mike Dahl maintained an Outperform rating, increasing the price target from $189 to $231 [4]

Core Viewpoint - Brokerage recommendations, particularly for Royal Caribbean (RCL), suggest a strong buy sentiment, but reliance solely on these recommendations may not be advisable due to potential biases and lack of predictive success [5][10][11]. Brokerage Recommendation Summary - Royal Caribbean has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.60, indicating a position between Strong Buy and Buy, based on 25 brokerage firms' recommendations [2]. - Out of the 25 recommendations, 17 are Strong Buy (68%) and 1 is Buy (4%) [2]. Zacks Rank Insights - The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock rating tool, provides a more reliable indicator of near-term price performance compared to ABR, as it is based on earnings estimate revisions [8][11]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Royal Caribbean's current year earnings remains unchanged at $15.6, suggesting stable analyst views on the company's earnings prospects [14]. - Royal Caribbean currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating a cautious stance despite the favorable ABR [15].

Earnings Report - Macy's, Inc. is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings results on September 3, with analysts expecting earnings of 19 cents per share, a decrease from 53 cents per share in the same period last year [1] - The anticipated quarterly revenue is $4.7 billion, down from $4.94 billion a year earlier [1] - The company's board declared a regular quarterly dividend of 18.24 cents per share on August 22 [1] Stock Performance - Macy's shares increased by 2% to close at $13.49 on Tuesday [2] - Analysts have provided various ratings and price targets for Macy's stock, reflecting differing outlooks on the company's performance [2] Analyst Ratings - Telsey Advisory Group maintained a Market Perform rating with a price target of $14 [7] - JP Morgan maintained a Neutral rating and raised the price target from $12 to $16 [7] - Citigroup kept a Neutral rating and increased the price target from $11 to $12 [7] - Morgan Stanley maintained an Equal-Weight rating but reduced the price target from $14 to $12 [7] - Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral and cut the price target from $17 to $12 [7]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the reliability of brokerage recommendations, particularly focusing on Kinder Morgan (KMI), and emphasizes the importance of using these recommendations in conjunction with other research tools like the Zacks Rank [1][5][10]. Brokerage Recommendations for Kinder Morgan - Kinder Morgan has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.95, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy, based on recommendations from 20 brokerage firms [2]. - Out of the 20 recommendations, 10 are classified as Strong Buy and 1 as Buy, representing 50% and 5% of the total recommendations respectively [2]. Limitations of Brokerage Recommendations - The article highlights that relying solely on brokerage recommendations may not be wise, as studies show limited success in guiding investors to stocks with the best price increase potential [5]. - Brokerage firms often exhibit a positive bias in their ratings due to vested interests, leading to a disproportionate number of favorable ratings compared to negative ones [6][10]. Comparison with Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is presented as a more reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, based on earnings estimate revisions rather than brokerage recommendations [8][11]. - Unlike the ABR, which is based solely on brokerage recommendations, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model that reflects timely changes in earnings estimates [9][12]. Current Earnings Estimates for Kinder Morgan - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Kinder Morgan's earnings for the current year remains unchanged at $1.27, suggesting stability in analysts' views regarding the company's earnings prospects [13]. - The Zacks Rank for Kinder Morgan is currently 3 (Hold), indicating a cautious approach despite the Buy-equivalent ABR [14].

Core Viewpoint - Analyst recommendations play a significant role in influencing stock prices, but their reliability is questionable, particularly for Gray Media (GTN) [1][5][10]. Group 1: Analyst Recommendations - Gray Media has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.67, indicating a position between Strong Buy and Buy, with 66.7% of the six recommendations being Strong Buy [2][5]. - Despite the positive ABR, relying solely on this information for investment decisions may not be prudent, as studies show brokerage recommendations often fail to guide investors effectively [5][10]. - Brokerage analysts tend to exhibit a strong positive bias in their ratings, with five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" [6][10]. Group 2: Zacks Rank vs. ABR - The Zacks Rank, which is based on earnings estimate revisions, is a more reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance compared to the ABR [8][11]. - The Zacks Rank is displayed in whole numbers (1 to 5) and is updated more frequently, reflecting timely changes in earnings estimates, unlike the ABR which may not be current [9][12]. - For Gray Media, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has declined by 54.2% over the past month, leading to a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell), suggesting caution despite the favorable ABR [13][14].