Core Viewpoint - Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (LXRX) 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][4]. Earnings Estimates and Ratings - The Zacks rating system is primarily driven by changes in a company's earnings picture, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate tracking EPS estimates from sell-side analysts [2]. - The recent upgrade reflects an improvement in Lexicon's earnings outlook, which could lead to increased buying pressure and a rise in stock price [4][6]. Impact of Earnings Estimate Revisions - Changes in future earnings potential, as indicated by earnings estimate revisions, are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [5][7]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, influencing their buying and selling actions, which subsequently affects stock prices [5]. Lexicon's Earnings Outlook - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Lexicon is expected to earn -$0.28 per share, unchanged from the previous year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 24.8% over the past three months [9]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have generated an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [8]. - Lexicon's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10][11].

Core Viewpoint - Tenable (TENB) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, indicating a positive outlook for the company's stock price [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of changing earnings estimates in influencing near-term stock price movements, making it a valuable tool for investors [2][4]. - The correlation between earnings estimate revisions and stock price movements is strong, largely due to institutional investors who adjust their valuations based on these estimates [4]. Business Improvement Indicators - Rising earnings estimates and the Zacks rating upgrade suggest an improvement in Tenable's underlying business, which could lead to increased stock prices as investors respond positively [5][10]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Tenable is expected to earn $1.49 per share, with a significant increase of 100% in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a proven track record of Zacks Rank 1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Tenable'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 - Centuri Holdings (CTRI) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][4]. Earnings Estimates and Ratings - The Zacks rating system is based solely on a company's changing earnings picture, tracking the Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPS from sell-side analysts [2]. - The Zacks rating upgrade for Centuri reflects an optimistic earnings outlook, likely leading to increased buying pressure and a rise in stock price [4][6]. Impact of Earnings Estimate Revisions - Changes in a company's future earnings potential, as shown through earnings estimate revisions, are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [5]. - Institutional investors often adjust their valuations based on earnings estimates, which can lead to significant stock price movements due to large share transactions [5]. Centuri's Earnings Outlook - Centuri is projected to earn $0.60 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, with no year-over-year change expected [9]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Centuri has increased by 4.5%, indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates [9]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [8]. - Centuri's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10][11].

Core Viewpoint - Maximus (MMS) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong 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 correlation between changes in earnings estimates and stock price movements, driven by institutional investors adjusting their valuations based on these estimates [4][6]. - Rising earnings estimates for Maximus suggest an improvement in the company's underlying business, which could lead to higher stock prices as investors respond positively [5][10]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a "Strong Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions, positioning Maximus favorably for potential market-beating returns [9][10]. Recent Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending September 2025, Maximus is expected to earn $6.49 per share, with a 6.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8].

Core Viewpoint - Spark New Zealand Ltd. (SPKKY) has received a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) upgrade, 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 emphasizes the correlation between changes in earnings estimates and stock price movements, suggesting that an upward revision in earnings estimates can lead to higher stock prices [4][6]. - For Spark New Zealand, the recent increase in earnings estimates reflects an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to positively impact its stock price [5][10]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a proven track record of Zacks Rank 1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - The upgrade of Spark New Zealand 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 [9][10]. Earnings Estimate Details - Spark New Zealand is projected to earn $0.57 per share for the fiscal year ending June 2026, with no year-over-year change, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 3.6% over the past three months [8].

Core Viewpoint - Qifu Technology, Inc. (QFIN) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][4]. Earnings Estimates and Ratings - The Zacks rating system is primarily driven by changes in a company's earnings picture, specifically the Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPS from sell-side analysts [2]. - The Zacks rating upgrade for Qifu Technology indicates a positive outlook on its earnings, which could positively affect its stock price [4][6]. Impact of Earnings Estimates on Stock Prices - There is a strong correlation between changes in earnings estimates and near-term stock price movements, with institutional investors playing a role in this relationship [5]. - Rising earnings estimates and the subsequent rating upgrade suggest an improvement in Qifu Technology's underlying business, which should lead to higher stock prices [6]. Importance of Earnings Estimate Revisions - Empirical research supports the idea that tracking earnings estimate revisions can be beneficial for investment decisions, highlighting the effectiveness of the Zacks Rank stock-rating system [7]. - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [8]. Specifics on Qifu Technology's Earnings Estimates - Qifu Technology is projected to earn $7.11 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, with no year-over-year change expected [9]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Qifu Technology has increased by 2.6% [9]. Conclusion on Zacks Rating System - The Zacks rating system maintains a balanced distribution of "buy" and "sell" ratings across its universe of over 4,000 stocks, with only the top 5% receiving a "Strong Buy" rating [10]. - The upgrade of Qifu Technology to a Zacks Rank 1 places it in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [11].

Core Viewpoint - AvePoint, Inc. (AVPT) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates which significantly influences stock prices [1][2]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system highlights the strong correlation between changes in earnings estimates and near-term stock price movements, making it a valuable tool for investors [3][5]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to price movements based on their buying or selling activities [3]. Business Improvement Indicators - The upgrade in earnings estimates for AvePoint suggests an improvement in the company's underlying business, which could lead to higher stock prices as investors respond positively [4][9]. - AvePoint is projected to earn $0.26 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, with a notable increase of 400% in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [7]. Zacks Rank System Overview - The Zacks Rank system categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a proven track record of Zacks Rank 1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [6][8]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places AvePoint in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [9].

Core Viewpoint - Alignment Healthcare (ALHC) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on a company's changing earnings picture, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate tracking EPS estimates from sell-side analysts [1][4]. - Changes in future earnings potential, reflected in earnings estimate revisions, are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements, particularly influenced by institutional investors [4][5]. Recent Performance of Alignment Healthcare - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Alignment Healthcare is expected to earn -$0.33 per share, unchanged from the previous year, but analysts have raised their estimates by 16.2% over the past three months [8][10]. - The rating upgrade indicates an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to positively influence its stock price [5][10]. Zacks Rank System Overview - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have generated an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7][9]. - Only the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions and potential for market-beating returns [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - Broadstone Net Lease, Inc. (BNL) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the correlation between changes in earnings estimates and stock price movements, particularly influenced by institutional investors who adjust their valuations based on these estimates [4][6]. - Rising earnings estimates for Broadstone Net Lease indicate an improvement in the company's underlying business, suggesting that investors may respond positively by driving the stock price higher [5][10]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank stock-rating system categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [7][9]. - Broadstone Net Lease's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Broadstone Net Lease is expected to earn $1.47 per share, with a 0.2% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8].

Core Viewpoint - SIKA AG - Unsponsored ADR has received a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) upgrade, indicating a positive earnings outlook that may lead to increased stock price [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are a significant factor influencing stock prices [4][6]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, SIKA AG is expected to earn $0.95 per share, with a 2.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. Institutional Investor Influence - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, and their investment actions can significantly impact stock prices [4]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [7][9]. - SIKA AG'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].