Core Viewpoint - The average brokerage recommendation (ABR) for Onto Innovation (ONTO) is 1.88, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy, based on recommendations from eight brokerage firms [2]. Brokerage Recommendations - The current ABR of 1.88 is derived from four Strong Buy and one Buy recommendations, which account for 50% and 12.5% of all recommendations respectively [2]. - Despite the positive ABR, reliance solely on brokerage recommendations for investment decisions may not be prudent, as studies indicate limited success in guiding investors towards stocks with the best price increase potential [5]. Analyst Bias and Reliability - Brokerage analysts often exhibit a strong positive bias in their ratings due to vested interests, with research showing that for every "Strong Sell" recommendation, there are five "Strong Buy" recommendations [6]. - This misalignment of interests suggests that brokerage recommendations may not provide reliable insights into future stock price movements [7]. Zacks Rank Comparison - Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock rating tool, categorizes stocks from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell) and is based on earnings estimate revisions, which have a strong correlation with near-term stock price movements [8][11]. - The Zacks Rank is more timely and reflects current business trends, unlike the ABR, which may not be up-to-date [12]. Current Earnings Estimates for Onto Innovation - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Onto Innovation has declined by 3.4% over the past month to $5.14, indicating growing pessimism among analysts regarding the company's earnings prospects [13]. - This decline in earnings estimates has resulted in a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) for Onto Innovation, suggesting caution despite the Buy-equivalent ABR [14].

Core Viewpoint - Contango ORE, Inc. (CTGO) shows significant potential for upside, with a current trading price of $21.30 and a mean price target of $29.33, indicating a 37.7% upside potential [1] Price Targets and Analyst Consensus - The average price target for CTGO ranges from a low of $26.00 to a high of $32.00, with a standard deviation of $3.06, suggesting a relatively tight clustering of estimates [2] - The lowest estimate indicates a potential increase of 22.1%, while the highest suggests a 50.2% 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 CTGO's earnings prospects, as evidenced by a strong consensus in revising EPS estimates higher [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased by 176.9% over the past month, with one estimate rising and no negative revisions [12] - CTGO holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate factors [13] Conclusion on Price Targets - While the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of the magnitude of potential gains, it does provide a useful guide for the direction of price movement [14]

Core Viewpoint - Oric Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ORIC) has seen a significant stock price increase of 57.1% over the past four weeks, closing at $9.22, with analysts suggesting a potential upside of 105% based on a mean price target of $18.9 [1][11]. Price Targets and Analyst Estimates - The mean estimate consists of 10 short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $4.04, indicating variability among analysts [2]. - The lowest price target is $12.00, suggesting a 30.2% increase from the current price, while the highest target is $25.00, indicating a potential surge of 171.2% [2]. - A low standard deviation signifies a strong agreement among analysts regarding the stock's price movement [9]. Earnings Estimates and Analyst Agreement - Analysts show strong agreement in revising earnings estimates higher, which correlates with potential stock price increases [11]. - Over the last 30 days, two earnings estimates for ORIC have been revised upward, leading to a 7.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate [12]. - ORIC holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate factors [13]. Conclusion on Price Movement - While consensus price targets may not be entirely reliable, the direction indicated by these targets appears to be a useful guide for potential price movement [14].

Group 1 - The stock of Kemper (KMPR) closed at $63.29, showing a 1.3% gain over the past four weeks, with a mean price target of $82.2 indicating a potential upside of 29.9% [1] - The average price targets from analysts range from a low of $75.00 to a high of $90.00, with a standard deviation of $5.72, suggesting a variability in estimates; the lowest estimate indicates an 18.5% increase, while the highest points to a 42.2% upside [2] - Analysts show strong agreement on the company's ability to report better earnings than previously predicted, which supports the view of potential upside [4][11] Group 2 - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased by 1.2% over the past month, with one estimate going higher and no negative revisions [12] - Kemper currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates [13] - While the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of potential gains, the implied direction of price movement appears to be a good guide [14]

Core Viewpoint - Qifu Technology, Inc. (QFIN) shows potential for upside with a mean price target of $54.8, indicating a 27.3% increase from the current price of $43.06 [1] Price Targets and Analyst Estimates - The mean estimate consists of four short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $4.14, suggesting a consensus among analysts [2] - The lowest estimate is $50.00, indicating a 16.1% increase, while the highest estimate is $58.50, suggesting a 35.9% increase [2] - Analysts' price targets should be approached with caution, as their reliability has been questioned [3][7] Earnings Estimates and Analyst Agreement - Strong agreement among analysts regarding QFIN's earnings prospects supports the potential for stock upside [4][11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased by 2.3% over the past month, with two estimates revised upward [12] - QFIN holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates [13] Conclusion on Price Movement - While consensus price targets may not be entirely reliable, the direction they imply appears to be a good guide for potential price movement [14]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the reliability of brokerage recommendations, particularly focusing on Teradyne (TER), and highlights the potential misalignment of interests between brokerage analysts and retail investors [1][5][10]. Group 1: Brokerage Recommendations for Teradyne - Teradyne has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.93, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy, with 60% of recommendations being Strong Buy and 6.7% being Buy [2][4]. - The article suggests that relying solely on the ABR for investment decisions may not be advisable, as studies indicate that brokerage recommendations often fail to guide investors effectively [5][10]. Group 2: Limitations of Brokerage Recommendations - Brokerage analysts tend to exhibit a strong positive bias in their ratings due to vested interests, resulting in a disproportionate number of favorable ratings compared to negative ones [6][10]. - The article emphasizes that the best use of brokerage recommendations is to validate independent research rather than as a primary decision-making tool [7][10]. Group 3: Zacks Rank vs. ABR - Zacks Rank is presented as a more reliable tool for predicting stock performance, based on earnings estimate revisions, and is categorized into five groups from Strong Buy to Strong Sell [8][11]. - Unlike ABR, which may not be up-to-date, Zacks Rank reflects timely changes in earnings estimates, making it a more effective indicator for future stock prices [12]. Group 4: Current Earnings Estimates for Teradyne - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Teradyne remains unchanged at $3.16 for the current year, suggesting stable analyst views on the company's earnings prospects [13]. - Due to the unchanged consensus estimate and other factors, Teradyne holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a cautious approach despite the Buy-equivalent ABR [14].

Core Viewpoint - Rapt Therapeutics (RAPT) shares have seen a 1.7% increase over the past four weeks, closing at $7.84, with analysts suggesting a potential upside of 282.7% based on a mean price target of $30 [1] Price Targets and Estimates - The average price target for RAPT ranges from a low of $8.00 to a high of $48.00, with a standard deviation of $21.04, indicating variability in analyst estimates [2] - The lowest estimate suggests a 2% increase from the current price, while the highest estimate indicates a potential upside of 512.2% [2] - Analysts' consensus on price targets is often questioned, as they may not accurately reflect future stock prices [3][7] Earnings Estimates and Analyst Agreement - Analysts are optimistic about RAPT's earnings prospects, with a consensus indicating better-than-previously estimated earnings [4][11] - Over the last 30 days, one earnings estimate has increased, leading to a 22.6% rise in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year [12] - RAPT holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates [13] Conclusion on Price Movement - While the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of RAPT's potential gains, the direction implied by these targets appears to be a useful guide for investors [14]

The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price. Do they really matter, though?Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about RTX (RTX) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.RTX currently has an average brokerage ...

Core Viewpoint - Immunome, Inc. (IMNM) has received a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) upgrade due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, indicating a positive outlook for the company's stock price [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the correlation between changes in earnings estimates and stock price movements, driven largely by institutional investors who adjust 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, which in turn affects stock prices [4]. Company Performance and Outlook - The recent upgrade for Immunome reflects an improvement in the company's underlying business, suggesting that investors may respond positively by driving the stock price higher [5]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Immunome has increased by 29.9%, indicating a significant upward revision in earnings expectations [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, highlighting their potential for market-beating returns [9][10]. - Immunome's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a favorable position for potential price appreciation in the near term [10].

Core Viewpoint - Alithya Group (ALYAF) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, indicating a positive outlook for the company's stock price [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - Changes in a company's future earnings potential, reflected in earnings estimate revisions, are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares, leading to significant stock price movements based on their buying or selling actions [4]. Alithya's Earnings Outlook - The recent upgrade for Alithya signifies 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]. - Alithya is projected to earn $0.13 per share for the fiscal year ending March 2026, with no year-over-year change, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 81.5% over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank stock-rating 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]. - Alithya'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].