Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (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.Since a ...

Core Viewpoint - Aviva (AVVIY) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on rising earnings estimates, which are crucial for stock price movements [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of earnings estimate revisions, which have a strong correlation with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - For Aviva, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share (EPS) for the fiscal year ending December 2025 is projected at $1.38, showing no year-over-year change, but estimates have increased by 4.2% over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Aviva'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].

Core Viewpoint - Byline Bancorp (BY) 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 Impact - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of earnings estimate revisions, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - An increase in earnings estimates typically leads to higher fair value calculations by institutional investors, resulting in buying or selling pressure that affects stock prices [4][5]. Byline Bancorp's Earnings Outlook - Byline Bancorp is projected to earn $2.69 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 Byline Bancorp has increased by 2.5%, reflecting a positive trend in earnings estimates [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with only the top 20% receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating [9][10]. - Byline Bancorp'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 - Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc. (EVLV) has received a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) upgrade due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, indicating a positive outlook for the company's stock price [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 reflecting EPS estimates from sell-side analysts [2][3]. - The recent upgrade for Evolv Technologies signifies an improvement in its earnings outlook, which is expected to lead to increased buying pressure and a rise in stock price [4][6]. Impact of Earnings Estimate Revisions - There is a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements, making it beneficial for investors to track these revisions [7]. - The Zacks Rank system effectively utilizes earnings estimate revisions to classify stocks, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [8]. Specifics on Evolv Technologies - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Evolv Technologies is projected to earn -$0.23 per share, with no year-over-year change expected [9]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Evolv Technologies has increased by 14.8%, indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates [9]. Zacks Rating System Overview - 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][11]. - The upgrade of Evolv Technologies to a Zacks Rank 1 places it in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for market-beating returns in the near term [11].

Core Viewpoint - Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) 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 Impact - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of earnings estimate revisions, which have shown a strong correlation with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Institutional investors often rely on earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Company Performance and Outlook - The recent upgrade reflects an improvement in Associated Banc-Corp's underlying business, suggesting that investors may respond positively by driving the stock price higher [5]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Associated Banc-Corp indicates expected earnings of $2.49 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, with a 2.5% increase in estimates over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system categorizes stocks based on earnings estimates, with only the top 20% of stocks receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions [9][10]. - Stocks rated Zacks Rank 1 have historically generated an average annual return of +25% since 1988, showcasing the effectiveness of the rating system [7].

Core Viewpoint - Si-Bone (SIBN) 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 changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - An increase in earnings estimates typically leads to higher fair value for a stock, prompting institutional investors to buy or sell, thus affecting stock prices [4]. Si-Bone's Earnings Outlook - The recent upgrade for Si-Bone indicates an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to positively influence its stock price [5][10]. - Analysts have raised their earnings estimates for Si-Bone, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by 7.7% over the past three months [8]. 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]. - Si-Bone'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].

Core Viewpoint - Bancolombia (CIB) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook driven by rising earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of earnings estimate revisions, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Bancolombia's earnings estimate for the fiscal year ending December 2025 is projected at $6.47 per share, remaining unchanged from the previous year, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 6% 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 affect stock prices [4]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Bancolombia's upgrade places it in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Core Viewpoint - Labcorp Holdings (LH) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on rising earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of earnings estimate revisions, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Labcorp's Earnings Outlook - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Labcorp is expected to earn $16.05 per share, with a 0.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. - The upgrade reflects an improvement in Labcorp's underlying business, which is likely to drive the stock price higher as investors respond positively to this trend [5][10]. 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 [7]. - Labcorp'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 [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - Alamos Gold (AGI) shows potential for upside with a mean price target of $34.44, indicating a 27.6% increase from the current price of $26.99 [1] Price Targets and Analyst Consensus - The average price target consists of 10 estimates ranging from a low of $23.74 to a high of $38.36, with a standard deviation of $4.17, suggesting variability in analyst predictions [2] - The lowest estimate indicates a potential decline of 12%, while the highest suggests a 42.1% upside [2] - A low standard deviation indicates strong agreement among analysts regarding the stock's price movement direction [9] Earnings Estimates and Analyst Optimism - Analysts have shown increasing optimism about AGI's earnings prospects, with a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased by 12.5% over the past month, with two estimates rising and one falling [12] - AGI holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates [13] Caution on Price Targets - While price targets are commonly referenced, they can mislead investors, as empirical research shows they rarely indicate actual stock price movements [7][10] - Analysts may set overly optimistic price targets due to business incentives, which can inflate expectations [8]

Core Viewpoint - MicroStrategy's stock has shown a +7.9% return over the past month, outperforming the S&P 500's +5.2% and the Zacks Computer - Software industry's +9% [1] Earnings Estimate Revisions - The current quarter's earnings estimate for MicroStrategy is a loss of $0.12 per share, reflecting an +84.2% change from the previous year [4] - The consensus earnings estimate for the current fiscal year is -$15.73, indicating a -134.1% change from the prior year [4] - For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate is $0.4, showing a +97.5% change from the previous year [5] - The Zacks Rank for MicroStrategy is 3 (Hold), based on the recent changes in earnings estimates and other related factors [6] Projected Revenue Growth - The consensus sales estimate for the current quarter is $112.15 million, indicating a +0.6% year-over-year change [10] - The sales estimates for the current and next fiscal years are $466.5 million and $484.8 million, reflecting +0.7% and +3.9% changes, respectively [10] Last Reported Results and Surprise History - MicroStrategy reported revenues of $111.07 million in the last quarter, a -3.6% year-over-year change, and an EPS of -$16.49 compared to -$0.83 a year ago [11] - The reported revenues were -4.01% below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $115.7 million, with an EPS surprise of -16390% [11] - Over the last four quarters, MicroStrategy has surpassed consensus EPS estimates multiple times and topped revenue estimates as well [12] Valuation - MicroStrategy is graded F on the Zacks Value Style Score, indicating it is trading at a premium compared to its peers [16]