Core Insights - The average brokerage recommendation (ABR) for Okta (OKTA) is 1.92, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy based on 40 brokerage firms' recommendations [2] - Of the 40 recommendations, 21 are Strong Buy (52.5%) and 2 are Buy (5%) [2] - Analysts' optimism regarding Okta's earnings prospects is reflected in a recent 11.5% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year, now at $3.28 [13] Brokerage Recommendations - Brokerage recommendations are often influenced by the vested interests of the firms, leading to a bias in favor of positive ratings [6][10] - For every "Strong Sell" recommendation, there are five "Strong Buy" recommendations, indicating a potential misalignment with retail investors' interests [6][7] - The ABR is calculated based on brokerage recommendations and may not always be up-to-date, while the Zacks Rank is more timely and driven by earnings estimate revisions [12] Zacks Rank Comparison - The Zacks Rank categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimate revisions, with Okta currently holding a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [14] - The Zacks Rank is considered a more effective indicator of stock price performance compared to the ABR, as it reflects timely changes in earnings estimates [11][12] - The ABR for Okta aligns with the Zacks Rank, providing a useful guide for investors [14]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the reliability of brokerage recommendations, particularly focusing on Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), and suggests that while the average brokerage recommendation indicates a positive outlook, it may not be a reliable indicator for investment decisions [1][5]. Brokerage Recommendations - Chipotle has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.58, which is between Strong Buy and Buy, based on recommendations from 32 brokerage firms [2]. - Of the 32 recommendations, 21 are Strong Buy (65.6%) and 3 are Buy (9.4%) [2]. Limitations of Brokerage Recommendations - Solely relying on brokerage recommendations for investment decisions may not be advisable, as studies indicate they often fail to guide investors effectively towards stocks with high price appreciation potential [5]. - Brokerage firms tend to exhibit a positive bias in their ratings due to vested interests, with a ratio of five Strong Buy recommendations for every Strong Sell [6][10]. Zacks Rank vs. ABR - The Zacks Rank, which is based on earnings estimate revisions, is presented as a more reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance compared to the ABR [8][11]. - The Zacks Rank is a quantitative model that maintains a balance among its five ranks, while the ABR is based solely on brokerage recommendations and may not be up-to-date [9][12]. Current Earnings Estimates for Chipotle - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chipotle's earnings has declined by 4.7% over the past month to $1.21, indicating growing pessimism among analysts regarding the company's earnings prospects [13]. - This decline in earnings estimates has resulted in a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) for Chipotle, suggesting caution despite the positive ABR [14].

Core Viewpoint - Stagwell (STGW) reported quarterly earnings of $0.12 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.17 per share, and showing a decline from $0.16 per share a year ago, indicating an earnings surprise of -29.41% [1][2] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $651.74 million for the quarter ended March 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.93%, and down from $670.06 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Stagwell has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once, while it has topped consensus revenue estimates three times [2] Stock Performance - Stagwell shares have declined approximately 11.7% since the beginning of the year, compared to a -4.3% decline in the S&P 500 [3] - The company's earnings outlook and management commentary will be crucial for future stock price movements [3][4] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.19 on revenues of $697.25 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $0.86 on revenues of $2.94 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Stagwell is currently favorable, resulting in a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for the stock, indicating expected outperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Advertising and Marketing industry, to which Stagwell belongs, is currently in the top 28% of Zacks industries, suggesting a positive outlook for stocks within this sector [8]

Core Insights - Fair Isaac (FICO) reported quarterly earnings of $7.81 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.39 per share, and up from $6.14 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 5.68% [1] - The company posted revenues of $498.74 million for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.51%, and an increase from $433.81 million year-over-year [2] - Fair Isaac has surpassed consensus EPS estimates only once in the last four quarters, indicating mixed performance in earnings expectations [2][6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $7.80 on revenues of $518.78 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $29.16 on revenues of $1.99 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Fair Isaac is currently mixed, leading to a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting the stock is expected to perform in line with the market in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Computers - IT Services industry, to which Fair Isaac belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 44% of over 250 Zacks industries, which may impact the stock's performance [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, highlighting the importance of tracking these revisions for investment decisions [5]

Group 1 - Heritage Commerce (HTBK) reported quarterly earnings of $0.19 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.18 per share, and showing an increase from $0.17 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of 5.56% [1] - The company posted revenues of $46.06 million for the quarter ended March 2025, which was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.31%, and an increase from $42.14 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Heritage Commerce has surpassed consensus EPS estimates only once and has topped consensus revenue estimates just once [2] Group 2 - The stock's immediate price movement will largely depend on management's commentary during the earnings call, with shares down approximately 3.3% year-to-date compared to the S&P 500's decline of 8.6% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.20 on revenues of $47.13 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $0.80 on revenues of $191.47 million [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Banks - West is in the bottom 42% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating potential challenges for stock performance [8]

Group 1 - First Western reported quarterly earnings of $0.43 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.23 per share, and showing an increase from $0.26 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of 86.96% [1] - The company posted revenues of $24.8 million for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.35%, compared to $23.35 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, First Western has surpassed consensus EPS estimates only once and has topped consensus revenue estimates just once [2] Group 2 - The stock's immediate price movement will depend on management's commentary during the earnings call and the sustainability of earnings expectations [3][4] - First Western shares have declined approximately 6.5% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has decreased by 8.6% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.32 on revenues of $24.71 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $1.50 on revenues of $102.18 million [7] Group 3 - The Zacks Industry Rank indicates that the Banks - Midwest sector is currently in the top 10% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook for stocks in this category [8] - Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5] - The estimate revisions trend for First Western is mixed, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6]

Gorman-Rupp (GRC) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.46 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.44 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.30 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 4.55%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this pump maker would post earnings of $0.45 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.42, delivering a surprise of -6.67%. Over the last four quarters, the company h ...