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].

Core Viewpoint - The market anticipates Ingredion (INGR) will report a year-over-year decline in earnings despite an increase in revenues for the quarter ended June 2025, with actual results being crucial for stock price movement [1][2]. Earnings Expectations - Ingredion is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.78 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 3.1%, while revenues are projected to reach $1.9 billion, an increase of 1.3% from the previous year [3]. - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised 2.05% higher in the last 30 days, indicating a reassessment by analysts [4]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model indicates that the Most Accurate Estimate for Ingredion matches the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of 0%, which complicates predictions of an earnings beat [12]. - Despite a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), the lack of a positive Earnings ESP makes it challenging to predict a favorable outcome [12]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Ingredion exceeded the expected earnings of $2.44 per share, achieving $2.97, which represented a surprise of +21.72% [13]. - Over the past four quarters, the company has consistently beaten consensus EPS estimates [14]. Industry Comparison - Utz Brands (UTZ), another player in the food industry, is expected to report earnings of $0.19 per share, unchanged from the previous year, with revenues projected at $359.84 million, up 1% [18]. - Utz Brands has an Earnings ESP of -2.7% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), making it difficult to predict an earnings beat [19][20].

Core Viewpoint - Ingredion (INGR) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), reflecting an upward trend in earnings estimates, which significantly influences stock prices [1][2]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in a company's earnings picture, which is a strong indicator of near-term stock price movements [2][3]. - Rising earnings estimates for Ingredion indicate an improvement in the company's underlying business, likely leading to an increase in stock price [4]. 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 system maintains a balanced distribution of "buy" and "sell" ratings, ensuring that only the top 20% of stocks receive a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions [8][9]. Recent Earnings Estimate Revisions for Ingredion - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Ingredion is expected to earn $11.30 per share, unchanged from the previous year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 1.6% over the past three months [7].