Core Viewpoint - LivePerson (LPSN) 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 change in a company's future earnings potential, as indicated by earnings estimate revisions, is strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [3]. - 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 [3]. LivePerson's Earnings Outlook - The recent rating upgrade for LivePerson reflects an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to positively influence its stock price [4]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for LivePerson has increased by 1.9% [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 generated an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [6]. - LivePerson'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 [9].

Cisco Systems (CSCO) could be a solid addition to your portfolio 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.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.The power of a changing ...

Core Viewpoint - Piedmont Realty Trust (PDM) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are closely correlated with stock price movements, particularly due to institutional investors' reliance on these estimates for valuation [4][6]. - For Piedmont Realty Trust, the recent upgrade reflects an improvement in the company's underlying business, suggesting that investor sentiment may drive the stock price higher [5][10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - Analysts have raised their earnings estimates for Piedmont Realty Trust, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fiscal year ending December 2025 projected at $1.43 per share, showing no year-over-year change but a 0.4% increase over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups 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]. - The upgrade of Piedmont Realty Trust to a 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 - NorthWestern (NWE) 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 reflects 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 stock price movements [4]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade for NorthWestern suggests an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to be recognized by investors through a potential increase in stock price [5][10]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, NorthWestern is projected to earn $3.61 per share, with a 0.2% 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 only the top 20% of stocks receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revision features [9][10]. - Historically, Zacks Rank 1 stocks have generated an average annual return of +25% since 1988, showcasing the effectiveness of the rating system [7].

Investors often turn to recommendations made by Wall Street analysts before making a Buy, Sell, or Hold decision about a stock. While media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm employed (or sell-side) analysts often affect a stock's price, do they really matter?Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about Zscaler (ZS) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.Zscaler currently has an average brokerage re ...

Core Viewpoint - The average brokerage recommendation (ABR) for Walt Disney (DIS) is 1.53, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy, based on 29 brokerage firms' recommendations [2][5]. Brokerage Recommendation Analysis - The ABR consists of 20 Strong Buy and 2 Buy recommendations, accounting for 69% and 6.9% of total recommendations respectively [2]. - Despite the positive ABR, relying solely on brokerage recommendations may not be advisable, as studies indicate they often fail to guide investors effectively towards stocks with high price appreciation potential [5][10]. Analyst Bias and Limitations - Brokerage analysts tend to exhibit a strong positive bias due to their firms' vested interests, resulting in a disproportionate number of favorable ratings compared to negative ones [6][10]. - This misalignment of interests can lead to misleading insights regarding future stock price movements [7][10]. Zacks Rank as an Alternative - The Zacks Rank, which categorizes stocks based on earnings estimate revisions, is presented in whole numbers and is considered a more reliable indicator of near-term price performance compared to ABR [8][9]. - The Zacks Rank is updated more frequently, reflecting timely changes in earnings estimates, which correlates strongly with stock price movements [11][12]. Current Earnings Estimates for Disney - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Disney's current year earnings has increased by 1.8% over the past month to $5.85, indicating growing analyst optimism [13]. - This increase in consensus estimates, along with other factors, has led to a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) for Disney, suggesting a positive outlook for the stock [14].

Core Insights - Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $4.29 per share, reflecting a decline of 1.8% year-over-year, while revenues are forecasted to reach $3.6 billion, an increase of 3.6% compared to the previous year [1] - The consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, indicating a collective reevaluation by analysts [1][2] Financial Metrics - Analysts predict 'Comparable store sales - YoY change' to be 2.9%, down from 4.5% in the same quarter last year [4] - The 'Number of stores - Total (EOP)' is expected to reach 884, an increase from 861 a year ago [4] - The 'Number of stores - Golf Galaxy/Specialty Concept Store' is forecasted to be 167, up from 136 in the same quarter last year [5] - The 'Number of stores - Dick's Sporting Goods' is expected to remain at 725, unchanged from the previous year [5] Market Performance - Dick's shares have increased by 4.8% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which rose by 2.7% [6] - The company holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting it is expected to closely follow overall market performance in the near term [6]

分组1 - PDD Holdings Inc. reported quarterly earnings of $3.08 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.91 per share, with a year-over-year comparison showing a slight decrease from $3.2 per share [1] - The company achieved revenues of $14.52 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.15% and showing an increase from $13.36 billion in the same quarter last year [2] - PDD Holdings' shares have increased approximately 31.1% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 10% [3] 分组2 - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $2.15, with expected revenues of $14.95 billion, while the estimate for the current fiscal year is $8.70 on revenues of $59.53 billion [7] - The Internet - Commerce industry, to which PDD Holdings belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 36% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating potential challenges for stock performance [8]

Core Viewpoint - Willdan Group (WLDN) is positioned as a strong investment opportunity due to its improving earnings outlook and analysts' increasing earnings estimates [1][2]. Earnings Estimates - Analysts are optimistic about Willdan's earnings prospects, leading to higher estimates that are expected to positively impact the stock price [2]. - The consensus earnings estimate for the current quarter is $0.81 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +11.0% [7]. - For the full year, the earnings estimate has risen to $3.60 per share, indicating a significant change of +48.2% from the previous year [8]. Estimate Revisions - Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Willdan has increased by 12.98%, with no negative revisions reported [7]. - The consensus estimate for the current year has increased by 33.4%, supported by two upward revisions and no negative changes [9]. Zacks Rank - Willdan currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), which is based on favorable estimate revisions and has historically outperformed the market [10]. - Stocks with a Zacks Rank 1 and 2 have shown significant outperformance compared to the S&P 500 [10]. Stock Performance - Willdan shares have appreciated by 29.4% over the past four weeks, indicating strong investor confidence in the company's earnings growth potential [11].

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) is experiencing solid improvements in earnings estimates, which may lead to continued short-term price momentum for the stock [1][2]. Earnings Estimates - Analysts are increasingly optimistic about the earnings prospects for First Financial Bancorp, driving higher estimates that are expected to be reflected in the stock price [2]. - The current-quarter earnings estimate is projected at $0.75 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +11.9%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has risen by 11.6% over the last 30 days, with two estimates moving higher and no negative revisions [6]. - For the full year, the earnings estimate is $2.79 per share, indicating a year-over-year change of +6.5%. Over the past month, three estimates have increased, contributing to a 6.92% rise in the consensus estimate [7][8]. Zacks Rank - First Financial Bancorp has achieved a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating favorable estimate revisions that suggest potential for outperformance compared to the S&P 500 [9]. - The Zacks Rank system has a strong track record, with Zacks 1 Ranked stocks averaging an annual return of +25% since 2008 [3]. Investment Outlook - The stock has appreciated by 7% over the past four weeks due to strong estimate revisions, suggesting that there may still be further upside potential [10].