Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley 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 Movement - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of changing earnings estimates in determining stock price movements, making it a valuable tool for investors [2][4]. - An increase in earnings estimates typically leads to higher fair value calculations by institutional investors, resulting in buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Business Improvement Indicators - The upgrade reflects an improvement in Morgan Stanley's underlying business, suggesting that investors may respond positively by driving the stock price higher [5][10]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Morgan Stanley is expected to earn $8.82 per share, with a 2.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks based on earnings estimate revisions, with a proven track record of generating significant returns, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks [7]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places Morgan Stanley in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Core Viewpoint - Braskem (BAK) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong 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 is based on the consensus measure of EPS estimates from sell-side analysts, reflecting the company's changing earnings picture [1][2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements, as institutional investors adjust their valuations based on these estimates [4][5]. - For Braskem, the recent increase in earnings estimates suggests an improvement in its underlying business, likely leading to upward pressure on its stock price [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 [9][10]. Recent Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Braskem is expected to earn -$0.16 per share, unchanged from the previous year [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Braskem has increased by 16.2%, reflecting analysts' growing optimism [8].

Core Viewpoint - Simpson Manufacturing (SSD) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (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, suggesting that upward revisions in earnings estimates can lead to higher stock prices [4][6]. - The recent upgrade reflects an improvement in Simpson Manufacturing's underlying business, which should encourage investors to drive the stock price higher [5]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Simpson Manufacturing is expected to earn $8.22 per share, with no year-over-year change anticipated [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Simpson Manufacturing has increased by 1.5%, indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks based on earnings estimates, with only the top 20% of stocks receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, highlighting their potential for market-beating returns [9][10]. - Simpson Manufacturing's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a favorable outlook for near-term stock performance [10].

Core Viewpoint - Provident Financial (PFS) 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 is based on the consensus measure of EPS estimates from sell-side analysts, reflecting the company's changing earnings picture [1][2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements, as institutional investors adjust their valuations based on these estimates [4][5]. - For Provident Financial, rising earnings estimates and the rating upgrade suggest an improvement in the company's underlying business, likely leading to higher stock prices [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]. - The system maintains a balanced distribution of ratings, ensuring that only the top 5% of stocks receive a "Strong Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions [9][10]. Recent Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Provident Financial is expected to earn $2.15 per share, unchanged from the previous year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 4.7% over the past three months [8].

Core Viewpoint - Lakeland Financial (LKFN) 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 Movement - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, 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]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade reflects an improvement in Lakeland Financial's underlying business, suggesting that investors may respond positively by driving the stock price higher [5]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lakeland Financial has increased by 3.5% over the past three months, with expected earnings of $3.89 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, indicating no year-over-year change [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 averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [7]. - Lakeland Financial'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 - Torrid Holdings (CURV) has experienced a significant downtrend with a 14.8% decline over the past four weeks, but it is now in oversold territory, suggesting a potential turnaround as analysts expect better earnings than previously predicted [1]. Group 1: Technical Analysis - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a key technical indicator used to determine if a stock is oversold, with readings below 30 indicating oversold conditions [2]. - CURV's current RSI reading is 28.43, suggesting that the heavy selling pressure may be exhausting, indicating a possible bounce back towards equilibrium [5]. - Stocks oscillate between overbought and oversold conditions, and the RSI helps identify potential reversal points, making it a useful tool for investors seeking entry opportunities [3]. Group 2: Fundamental Analysis - There is strong consensus among sell-side analysts regarding CURV, with a 5.9% increase in the consensus EPS estimate over the last 30 days, which typically correlates with price appreciation [7]. - CURV holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises, further indicating a potential turnaround [8].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the reliability of brokerage recommendations, particularly focusing on Kinder Morgan (KMI), and emphasizes the importance of using these recommendations in conjunction with other research tools like the Zacks Rank [1][5][10]. Brokerage Recommendations for Kinder Morgan - Kinder Morgan has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.95, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy, based on recommendations from 20 brokerage firms [2]. - Out of the 20 recommendations, 10 are classified as Strong Buy and 1 as Buy, representing 50% and 5% of the total recommendations respectively [2]. Limitations of Brokerage Recommendations - The article highlights that relying solely on brokerage recommendations may not be wise, as studies show limited success in guiding investors to stocks with the best price increase potential [5]. - Brokerage firms often exhibit a positive bias in their ratings due to vested interests, leading to a disproportionate number of favorable ratings compared to negative ones [6][10]. Comparison with Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is presented as a more reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, based on earnings estimate revisions rather than brokerage recommendations [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 [9][12]. Current Earnings Estimates for Kinder Morgan - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Kinder Morgan's earnings for the current year remains unchanged at $1.27, suggesting stability in analysts' views regarding the company's earnings prospects [13]. - The Zacks Rank for Kinder Morgan is currently 3 (Hold), indicating a cautious approach despite the Buy-equivalent ABR [14].

Company Performance - Signet (SIG) reported quarterly earnings of $1.61 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.21 per share, and up from $1.25 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +33.06% [1] - The company posted revenues of $1.54 billion for the quarter ended July 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.51% and up from $1.49 billion year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Signet has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped consensus revenue estimates three times [2] Stock Outlook - Signet shares have increased approximately 9.1% since the beginning of the year, compared to the S&P 500's gain of 9.8% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.21 on revenues of $1.35 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $9.12 on revenues of $6.76 billion [7] - The Zacks Rank for Signet is currently 3 (Hold), indicating that the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Retail - Jewelry industry, to which Signet belongs, is currently in the top 41% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to the bottom 50% [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can impact investor sentiment and stock performance [5]

Core Viewpoint - Moelis (MC) is seen as an attractive investment opportunity due to a significant improvement in its earnings outlook, with analysts raising their earnings estimates, which may lead to continued stock momentum [1][2]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - The upward trend in earnings estimate revisions indicates growing analyst optimism regarding Moelis's earnings prospects, which is expected to positively impact its stock price [2]. - The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), has shown that stocks with a Zacks Rank 1 have generated an average annual return of +25% since 2008, highlighting the potential for Moelis [3]. Current Quarter and Year Estimates - For the current quarter, Moelis is expected to earn $0.52 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +136.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has risen by 7.29% over the last 30 days due to positive revisions [6]. - For the full year, the expected earnings per share is $2.45, representing a year-over-year change of +34.6%. The consensus estimate has increased by 5.26% over the past month, with no negative revisions [7][8]. Zacks Rank and Investment Potential - Moelis has achieved a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) due to favorable estimate revisions, which suggests strong potential for stock performance [9]. - The stock has gained 5.2% over the past four weeks, indicating investor confidence in its earnings growth prospects, making it a candidate for portfolio consideration [10].

Zoom Communications (ZM) appears an attractive pick given a noticeable improvement in the company's earnings outlook. The stock has been a strong performer lately, and the momentum might continue with analysts still raising their earnings estimates for the company.Analysts' growing optimism on the earnings prospects of this video-conferencing company is driving estimates higher, which should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings ...