Core Viewpoint - H&R Block 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 Performance - The Zacks rating system reflects changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - For the fiscal year ending June 2025, H&R Block is expected to earn $5.22 per share, with a 0.3% 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, leading to buying or selling actions that impact stock prices [4]. 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 [7]. - H&R Block'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].

Core Viewpoint - Alamos Gold (AGI) has received an upgrade 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 the Zacks Consensus Estimate, which reflects EPS estimates from sell-side analysts for the current and following years [1][2]. - Changes in a company's future earnings potential, as indicated by earnings estimate revisions, are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Institutional investors often use earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Alamos Gold's Earnings Outlook - Alamos Gold is projected to earn $1.40 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, with no year-over-year change expected [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Alamos Gold has increased by 24.4%, indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Alamos Gold'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].

Allegiant Travel (ALGT) shares rallied 6.2% in the last trading session to close at $58.37. This move can be attributable to notable volume with a higher number of shares being traded than in a typical session. This compares to the stock's 0.4% loss over the past four weeks.The uptick was primarily due to ALGT's rosy traffic numbers for May. In May, scheduled traffic (measured in revenue passenger miles) rose 10.2% year over year at Allegiant. Capacity (measured in available seat miles) for scheduled servic ...

Company Overview - Investar (ISTR) shares increased by 5.8% to $20.44 in the last trading session, with a higher-than-average trading volume, compared to a 3.5% gain over the past four weeks [1] - Investar is set to acquire Wichita Falls Bancshares for approximately $83.6 million, which includes 3,955,334 shares of Investar and $7.2 million in cash, valuing Wichita Falls at $134.67 per share [2] - This acquisition marks Investar's second in Texas, expanding its presence in North Texas, with the deal expected to close in Q4 2025, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals [2] Financial Performance - Investar is projected to report quarterly earnings of $0.40 per share, reflecting an 11.1% year-over-year increase, with expected revenues of $20.96 million, up 5% from the previous year [3] - The consensus EPS estimate for Investar has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, indicating stability in earnings expectations [4] Industry Context - Investar operates within the Zacks Banks - Southeast industry, where Amerant Bancorp Inc. (AMTB) also operates, having closed 3.7% higher at $18.9, with a 5.7% return over the past month [4] - Amerant Bancorp's consensus EPS estimate is $0.38, representing a 35.7% increase from the previous year, also maintaining a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [5]

Here at Zacks, we offer our members many different opportunities to take full advantage of the stock market, as well as how to invest in ways that lead to long-term success.The Zacks Premium service makes this easier. It features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank; full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List; Equity Research reports; and Premium stock screens like the Earnings ESP filter. All of these can help you quickly identify what stocks to buy, what to sell, and what are today's hottest ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the reliability of brokerage recommendations, particularly focusing on ARKO Corp. (ARKO), and emphasizes the importance of using these recommendations in conjunction with other research tools like the Zacks Rank to make informed investment decisions [1][5][10]. Group 1: Brokerage Recommendations - ARKO has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 2.00, indicating a Buy, based on recommendations from four brokerage firms, with two of them being Strong Buy, representing 50% of the total recommendations [2]. - Despite the positive ABR, the article cautions against making investment decisions solely based on this metric, as studies show limited success of brokerage recommendations in predicting stock price increases [5][10]. - Analysts from brokerage firms tend to exhibit a strong positive bias in their ratings, often issuing five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" [6][10]. Group 2: Zacks Rank vs. ABR - The Zacks Rank is presented as a more reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, classifying stocks into five groups from Strong Buy to Strong Sell, based on earnings estimate revisions [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, making it a more current indicator of future price movements [9][12]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARKO has remained unchanged at $0.08 over the past month, suggesting that analysts have steady views on the company's earnings prospects [13]. Group 3: Investment Outlook for ARKO - The recent consensus estimate changes and other related factors have resulted in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) for ARKO, indicating a cautious approach despite the Buy-equivalent ABR [14].

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 Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.Abercrombie currently has an average brokerage recomm ...

UniFirst (UNF) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.17 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.12 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.19 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +2.36%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this uniform provider would post earnings of $1.31 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.4, delivering a surprise of +6.87%.Over the last four quarters, the company ...

McEwen (MUX) shares ended the last trading session 14.5% higher at $11. The jump came on an impressive volume with a higher-than-average number of shares changing hands in the session. This compares to the stock's 11.5% gain over the past four weeks.McEwen shares have gained in tandem with gold prices. Gold is currently above $3,330 per ounce, supported by ongoing weakness in the U.S. dollar amid fiscal concerns and trade uncertainty.This gold and silver mining company is expected to post quarterly earnings ...

Group 1: WK Kellogg Company Overview - WK Kellogg (KLG) shares increased by 7% to close at $17.05, supported by strong trading volume, contrasting with a 0.3% loss over the past four weeks [1] - The rise in shares is attributed to optimism regarding the company's strategic transformation, including cost-reduction efforts, brand revitalization, and enhanced pricing power [1] - The company's focus on improving margins and stabilizing volumes is boosting investor confidence [1] Group 2: Earnings Expectations - WK Kellogg is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.38 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 5.6%, while revenues are projected to be $657.22 million, a decrease of 2.2% from the previous year [2] - The consensus EPS estimate for WK Kellogg has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, indicating that stock price movements may not sustain without trends in earnings estimate revisions [3] Group 3: Industry Context - WK Kellogg holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) within the Consumer Products - Staples industry [4] - BRC Inc. (BRCC), another company in the same industry, saw a 15.3% increase in its stock price, closing at $1.51, despite a -23.4% return over the past month [4] - BRC Inc.'s consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged at -$0.03, representing a 200% decline compared to the previous year's EPS, and it currently holds a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell) [5]