Investors might want to bet on BGSF (BGSF) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.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 and following years.Individual investors ...

Investors might want to bet on Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. (TKOMY) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- 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 and follo ...

Core Viewpoint - Quest Diagnostics (DGX) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system reflects changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements, particularly due to institutional investors' reliance on these estimates for valuation [4][6]. - An increase in earnings estimates typically leads to higher fair value calculations for stocks, prompting institutional investors to buy or sell, thus affecting stock prices [4]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade for Quest Diagnostics signifies an improvement in its underlying business, which is expected to drive the stock price higher as investors respond positively to this trend [5][10]. - Analysts project that Quest Diagnostics will earn $9.70 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, with a slight increase of 0.1% in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system categorizes stocks based on earnings estimate revisions, with only the top 20% of stocks receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, indicating superior potential for market-beating returns [9][10]. - The Zacks Rank 2 for Quest Diagnostics places it among the top 20% of stocks covered by Zacks, suggesting a favorable outlook for the stock in the near term [10].

Group 1 - Quanex Building Products (NX) closed at $18.93, with a 9.3% gain over the past four weeks, and a mean price target of $37 indicates a potential upside of 95.5% [1] - The mean estimate includes three short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $5.57, where the lowest estimate of $31.00 suggests a 63.8% increase, and the highest estimate of $42.00 indicates a 121.9% surge [2] - Analysts show strong agreement on NX's ability to report better earnings than previously predicted, which supports the view of potential upside [4][11] Group 2 - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NX's current year earnings has increased by 1.8% over the last 30 days, with one estimate moving higher and no negative revisions [12] - NX holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates [13] - While the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of potential gains, it does provide a directional guide for price movement [14]

Group 1 - MongoDB (MDB) shares have increased by 10.5% over the past four weeks, closing at $209.2, with a mean price target of $280.88 indicating a potential upside of 34.3% [1] - The mean estimate is based on 33 short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $54.3, where the lowest estimate is $170.00 (indicating an 18.7% decline) and the highest is $430.00 (indicating a 105.5% increase) [2] - Analysts show strong agreement on MDB's ability to report better earnings than previously predicted, which supports the view of potential upside [4][11] Group 2 - Over the last 30 days, 11 earnings estimates for MDB have been revised higher, with no negative revisions, leading to a 15.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate [12] - MDB holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates [13] - While consensus price targets may not be reliable for predicting the extent of gains, they can provide guidance on the direction of price movement [14]

Core Viewpoint - Banco Macro (BMA) has experienced a significant downtrend, with a 15.2% decline over the past four weeks, but it is now in oversold territory, suggesting a potential turnaround due to improved earnings expectations from analysts [1]. Group 1: Technical Indicators - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a key technical indicator used to determine if a stock is oversold, with readings below 30 indicating oversold conditions [2]. - BMA's current RSI reading is 29, indicating that the heavy selling pressure may be exhausting itself, which could lead to a reversal in the stock's trend [5]. - The RSI helps investors identify potential entry points for stocks that have fallen below their fair value due to excessive selling [3]. Group 2: Fundamental Indicators - Analysts covering BMA have shown a strong consensus in raising earnings estimates for the current year, resulting in a 2.5% increase in the consensus EPS estimate over the last 30 days [7]. - An upward trend in earnings estimate revisions typically correlates with price appreciation in the near term, supporting the case for a potential rebound in BMA's stock price [7]. - BMA holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate trends and EPS surprises, indicating strong potential for a turnaround [8].

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 CRISPR Therapeutics AG (CRSP) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.CRISPR Therapeutics currently has an average brok ...

Core Viewpoint - Analyst recommendations play a significant role in influencing stock prices, but their reliability is questionable due to potential biases from brokerage firms [1][5][10]. Brokerage Recommendations for CyberArk - CyberArk has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.13, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy, based on 32 brokerage firms [2]. - Out of the 32 recommendations, 29 are Strong Buy and 2 are Buy, which accounts for 90.6% and 6.3% of all recommendations respectively [2]. Limitations of Brokerage Recommendations - Sole reliance on brokerage recommendations for investment decisions may not be wise, as studies show limited success in guiding investors towards stocks with the best price increase potential [5]. - Brokerage firms often exhibit a strong positive bias in their ratings due to vested interests, leading to a disproportionate number of Strong Buy recommendations compared to Strong Sell [6][10]. Zacks Rank as an Alternative Indicator - The Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), is based on earnings estimate revisions and is considered a reliable indicator of near-term price performance [8][11]. - The Zacks Rank is updated more frequently than the ABR, making it a timely tool for predicting future stock prices [12]. Earnings Estimate Revisions for CyberArk - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CyberArk has increased by 41.9% over the past month to $3.81, indicating growing optimism among analysts regarding the company's earnings prospects [13]. - This increase in consensus estimates has resulted in a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for CyberArk, suggesting a positive outlook for the stock [14].

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Brands is expected to report a decline in quarterly earnings and revenues, indicating potential challenges in its business performance [1][2]. Earnings Estimates - Analysts predict quarterly earnings of $3.37 per share, a decrease of 5.6% year-over-year [1]. - Revenue is forecasted at $2.57 billion, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 3.4% [1]. - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised down by 0.5% in the last 30 days [2]. Key Metrics - Estimated 'Net Sales- Wine and Spirits' is projected at $297.74 million, a significant decline of 23.5% year-over-year [5]. - 'Net Sales- Beer' is expected to reach $2.27 billion, showing a minimal decrease of 0.1% year-over-year [5]. - 'Operating Income- Wine and Spirits' is anticipated to be $12.38 million, down from $59.70 million in the same quarter last year [5]. - 'Operating Income- Beer' is projected at $899.70 million, compared to $941.60 million reported in the same quarter last year [6]. Stock Performance - Shares of Constellation Brands have decreased by 10.2% over the past month, contrasting with a 6% increase in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [7]. - The company holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting it is expected to perform in line with the overall market in the near future [7].

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (IBKR) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.Over the past month, shares of this company have returned +2.1%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +6% change. During this period, the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry, which Interactive Brokers falls in, has gained 10.3%. The key question now is: What could be ...