Core Viewpoint - Hengan International Group Co., Ltd. has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook driven by rising earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][4]. Earnings Estimates and Revisions - The Zacks rating system is based on the consensus measure of EPS estimates from sell-side analysts, reflecting the company's changing earnings picture [2]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Hengan International is expected to earn $1.48 per share, unchanged from the previous year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 7.2% over the past three months [9]. Impact of Institutional Investors - Changes in earnings estimates are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements, as institutional investors adjust their valuations based on these estimates, leading to significant trading activity [5][6]. 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]. - Hengan International'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 [11].

Core Viewpoint - Vontier Corporation (VNT) 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][2]. 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 [3][5]. - Institutional investors often rely on earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [3]. Vontier's Earnings Outlook - The recent upgrade for Vontier indicates an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to positively influence its stock price [4]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Vontier is projected to earn $3.18 per share, with a 3.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [7]. 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 [6]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places Vontier in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [9].

Core Viewpoint - ONE Gas (OGS) 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]. - 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]. Recent Performance of ONE Gas - ONE Gas is expected to earn $4.33 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, showing no year-over-year change [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ONE Gas has increased by 1.5%, 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 Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - The upgrade of ONE Gas to a 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 - TaskUs (TASK) 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 solely on a company's changing earnings picture, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate tracking EPS estimates from sell-side analysts [1][2]. - Changes in future earnings potential, as indicated by earnings estimate revisions, are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. Institutional Investor Influence - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of a company's shares, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. TaskUs Earnings Outlook - TaskUs is projected to earn $1.44 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, indicating no year-over-year change [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for TaskUs has increased by 5.3% [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]. - The upgrade of TaskUs to Zacks Rank 1 places it in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for higher stock movement in the near term [10].

Group 1 - Inter & Co. Inc. (INTR) 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][2] - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, making it a valuable tool for investors to gauge stock performance [2][5] - The correlation between earnings estimate revisions and stock price movements is strong, largely due to institutional investors adjusting their valuations based on these estimates [3][4] Group 2 - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Inter & Co. Inc. has increased by 4.4% over the past three months, with expected earnings of $0.56 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, indicating no year-over-year change [7] - The Zacks Rank system maintains a balanced distribution of ratings, with only the top 20% of stocks receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, highlighting the potential for superior returns [8][9] - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places Inter & Co. Inc. in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a favorable outlook for the stock's performance in the near term [9]

Core Viewpoint - Ingredion (INGR) 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 Movement - The Zacks rating system is effective for individual investors as it focuses on earnings estimate revisions, which are crucial for near-term stock price movements [2][4]. - Changes in earnings estimates are strongly correlated with stock price movements, particularly due to institutional investors adjusting their valuations based on these estimates [4]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade for Ingredion reflects an improvement in its underlying business, suggesting that investor sentiment may lead to increased stock prices [5]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ingredion has increased by 1.4%, with expected earnings of $11.36 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]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places Ingredion in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Group 1 - Stryker (SYK) 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][2] - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in a company's earnings picture, making it a useful tool for investors to gauge stock price movements [2][3] - Rising earnings estimates for Stryker indicate an improvement in the company's underlying business, suggesting potential for stock price appreciation [4][7] Group 2 - The Zacks Rank stock-rating system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance of Zacks Rank 1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [6] - Stryker's earnings estimate for the fiscal year ending December 2025 is projected at $13.49 per share, with a 1.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [7] - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places Stryker in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [9]

Core Viewpoint - ITT 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 Movement - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are closely correlated with near-term stock price movements [2][4]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Business Improvement Indicators - Rising earnings estimates and the Zacks rating upgrade for ITT suggest an improvement in the company's underlying business, which could lead to higher stock prices as investors respond positively [5][10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions for ITT - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, ITT is expected to earn $6.48 per share, unchanged from the previous year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 2.1% over the past three months [8]. 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 averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [7]. - The upgrade of ITT to a 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 - Horace Mann (HMN) 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][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system reflects changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with stock price movements, particularly due to institutional investors adjusting their valuations based on these estimates [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]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade for Horace Mann suggests an improvement in the company's underlying business, which should encourage investors to drive the stock price higher [5]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Horace Mann has increased by 6.3%, with expected earnings of $4.14 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 track record of performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have generated an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places Horace Mann in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting it has superior earnings estimate revisions and potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

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].