Core Viewpoint - SkyWest (SKYW) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), 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 importance of earnings estimate revisions, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - For SkyWest, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fiscal year ending December 2025 is projected at $9.36 per share, remaining unchanged from the previous year, but has seen a 4.6% increase in estimates 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][5]. - The upgrade of SkyWest reflects an improvement in its underlying business, which is expected to attract investor interest and drive the stock price higher [5][10]. 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]. - SkyWest's upgrade places it in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - Red River Bancshares (RRBI) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are closely 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]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade for Red River Bancshares indicates an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to drive the stock price higher as investors respond positively to this trend [5][10]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Red River Bancshares has increased by 9.6% over the past three months, with expected earnings of $5.86 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, showing no year-over-year change [8]. 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 and potential for market-beating returns [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) 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 emphasizes the importance of earnings estimate revisions, which are strongly correlated with stock price movements, particularly due to institutional investors' reliance on these estimates for valuation [4][6]. - The recent upgrade reflects an improvement in Huntington Bancshares' underlying business, suggesting that investors may respond positively by driving the stock price higher [5][10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - Analysts have raised their earnings estimates for Huntington Bancshares, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fiscal year ending December 2025 projected at $1.46 per share, showing no year-over-year change. Over the past three months, estimates have increased by 4.8% [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks based on earnings estimates into five groups, with only the top 20% receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating. Huntington Bancshares' upgrade places it in this top tier, indicating potential for market-beating returns [7][10].

Core Viewpoint - COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co., Ltd. has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong 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 China Cosco reflects an optimistic earnings outlook, likely leading to increased buying pressure and a rise in stock price [4][6]. Impact of Earnings Estimates on Stock Prices - Changes in a company's future earnings potential, as shown by earnings estimate revisions, are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements, influenced by institutional investors [5]. - Rising earnings estimates for China Cosco indicate an improvement in the company's underlying business, which should drive the stock price higher [6]. Importance of Earnings Estimate Revisions - Empirical research supports a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, making it beneficial to track these revisions for investment decisions [7]. - The Zacks Rank stock-rating system effectively utilizes earnings estimate revisions to classify stocks into five groups, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [8]. Specific Earnings Estimates for China Cosco - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, China Cosco is expected to earn $1.31 per share, unchanged from the previous year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 7% over the past three months [9]. Conclusion on Zacks Rating System - The Zacks rating system maintains a balanced proportion 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 China Cosco to Zacks Rank 1 places it in the top 5% of stocks based on estimate revisions, suggesting potential for market-beating returns in the near term [11].

Equity Bancshares (EQBK) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects 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 following years.Since a changin ...

Samsara Inc. (IOT) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.Since a changing earni ...

Group 1 - StepStone Group Inc. (STEP) shares increased by 6% to close at $63.24, with a notable trading volume compared to normal sessions, and an overall gain of 11.3% over the past four weeks [1][2] - The price surge was driven by the announcement that StepStone is leveraging Goji's technology to improve access to its European private market evergreen funds, enhancing the investor experience [2] - The company is projected to report quarterly earnings of $0.41 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 14.6%, while revenues are expected to reach $228.81 million, a 3.5% increase from the previous year [3] Group 2 - The consensus EPS estimate for StepStone has remained stable over the last 30 days, indicating that stock price movements may not sustain without earnings estimate revisions [4] - StepStone Group holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting strong market confidence in the stock's potential [4] - The company operates within the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry, which includes other firms like Houlihan Lokey, whose stock has also shown positive performance [4][5]

American Express (AXP) came out with quarterly earnings of $4.08 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.86 per share. This compares to earnings of $3.49 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +5.70%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this credit card issuer and global payments company would post earnings of $3.45 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.64, delivering a surprise of +5.51%.Ov ...

Ambac Financial Group (AMBC) shares soared 17.7% in the last trading session to close at $8.65. The move was backed by solid volume with far more shares changing hands than in a normal session. This compares to the stock's 6.2% gain over the past four weeks.Ambac shares surged after the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance scheduled a hearing on the sale of Ambac Assurance Corporation. This is considered one of the final steps in the Wisconsin regulatory approval process. Ambac's president and ...

New Gold (NGD) has been beaten down lately with too much selling pressure. While the stock has lost 10% over the past four weeks, there is light at the end of the tunnel as it is now in oversold territory and Wall Street analysts expect the company to report better earnings than they predicted earlier.We use Relative Strength Index (RSI), one of the most commonly used technical indicators, for spotting whether a stock is oversold. This is a momentum oscillator that measures the speed and change of price mov ...