Sezzle Set to Report Q3 Earnings: What's in Store for the Stock?

Sezzle Inc. SEZL is slated to release third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 4, after market close. The company’s quarterly results are likely to display an increase in both revenues and earnings per share.

In the last reported quarter, Sezzle delivered strong results, with adjusted earnings of $1.13 per share rising 61.4% year over year and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 95 cents. Revenues surged 51.7% to $149.7 million and topped the consensus mark of $130.3 million. Growth was supported by higher consumer engagement and transaction activity.

Over the trailing four quarters, the company’s EPS surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate on each occasion, the average beat being 17.39%. This is depicted in the graph below:

Sezzle Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Sezzle Inc. price-eps-surprise | Sezzle Inc. Quote

Key Factors to Watch Ahead of SEZL’s Q3 Results

New merchant checkouts and a growing subscriber base are likely to have kept Sezzle busy during the third quarter of 2026. Higher transaction frequency may have supported gross merchandise volume and revenues. Active subscribers reached 854,000 by June, up 76.4% annually. 

Back-to-school shopping is expected to have supported transaction activity during the quarter. Sezzle's September partnerships with Gymshark, Debenhams Group and Follett Higher Education are likely to have expanded its checkout reach across activewear, fashion and campus retail, potentially supporting transaction volumes.

Engagement could have benefited from SezzleCash, introduced in June, and the August launch of Sezzle Send. However, management assumed little contribution from SezzleCash and none from Sezzle Send in its outlook. 

On expenses, Sezzle expected core marketing spending to fall from the second quarter's elevated level, although promotion of new products could have limited the decline. Improved returns from earlier subscriber acquisition are likely to have supported profitability. 

Still, management expects a sequential decline in revenue yield and higher credit-loss provisions in the third quarter. Despite these headwinds, Sezzle raised its 2026 revenue growth outlook to 35% and adjusted net income guidance to $185 million, reflecting confidence in its operating momentum.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter revenues is currently pegged at $153.97 million, indicating a 31.83% year-over-year increase. The consensus mark for EPS is pegged at $1.28 per share, which has increased by two cents over the past 30 days. This also implies a year-over-year rise of 80.28%.

Here Is What Our Quantitative Model Predicts for SEZL

Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Sezzle this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is not the case here.  

SEZL has an Earnings ESP of -3.53% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Stocks to Consider

Here are some companies — Hut 8 Corp. HUT and StoneCo Ltd. STNE — worth considering, as our model shows that they have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings in their upcoming releases:

Hut 8 currently has an Earnings ESP of +24.67% and a Zacks Rank #3. Hut 8 is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 4. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

StoneCo currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.74% and a Zacks Rank #3. STNE is slated to report third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 12.

Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"

Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.

Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners, but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like D-Wave Quantum, which shot up +680.1%.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

RVTY Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates on Life Sciences Strength, '26 View Up

Revvity, Inc. RVTY reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.38, up 16.9% year over year. The bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.29 by 7%.

GAAP EPS from continuing operations was 56 cents compared with 41 cents in the prior-year period. Results benefited from broad-based growth, improving pharmaceutical and biotech demand and operating efficiencies.

Shares of RVTY gained 8.9% in pre-market trading today. Year to date, the company’s shares have climbed 56.7%, outperforming the industry’s 7.4% growth and the broader S&P 500 Index’s 9.3% increase.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

RVTY's Q3 Sales Top Expectations

Quarterly revenues rose 4.3% to $728.9 million and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $707 million by 3.1%.

Revvity reported third-quarter results on both reported and pro forma bases following its agreement to divest the China Immunodiagnostics business. Pro forma revenues totaled $709.6 million, up 7.4% from $660.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Organic growth contributed 7 percentage points, while acquisitions added 1 point. Foreign currency movements reduced growth by 1 point.

The quarter benefited from improving pharma and biotech end-market conditions, growing AI-related demand and favorable Diagnostics trends outside China. Recurring products generated high-single-digit growth, while non-recurring products declined in the low-single digits.

Geographically, the Americas and Europe recorded double-digit growth, while Asia-Pacific declined in the low-single digits on a pro forma basis.

Revvity's Life Sciences Segment Drives Growth

Life Sciences revenues increased 10.7% year over year to $379.6 million. Pro forma revenues rose 11%, while organic revenues advanced 9%, supported by improving demand across pharmaceutical, biotech and academic markets.

Life Sciences Solutions delivered high-single-digit growth, with both reagents and instruments performing ahead of management's expectations. Pharmaceutical and biotech demand increased in the low-double digits, while academic and government demand advanced in the mid-single digits.

Software revenues registered double-digit growth, driven by contract renewals and an increase in annual recurring revenues. The improvement reflected stronger software activity alongside recovering demand for laboratory products.

RVTY's Diagnostics Segment Shows Organic Gains

Diagnostics revenues declined 1.9% year over year to $349.3 million. However, pro forma revenues increased 4%, while organic revenues climbed 5%, reflecting underlying growth after excluding the China Immunodiagnostics business.

Immunodiagnostics delivered high-single-digit growth, supported by strength in the Americas. Reproductive Health recorded low-single-digit growth, with mid-single-digit expansion outside China.

The segment's performance reflected favorable diagnostic demand trends outside China, although the China Immunodiagnostics business continued to weigh on reported results. Revvity's planned divestiture of this business remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Revvity’s Margins Expand on Volume Growth and Efficiency

Pro forma adjusted gross margin rose 280 basis points year over year to 62.4%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $275.3 million, up 13.8% year over year. Research and development expenses amounted to $48.1 million, down 5.3% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.

Adjusted operating income increased 14.8% year over year to $209.3 million. The adjusted operating margin expanded 260 basis points to 28.7%, while the pro forma adjusted operating margin improved 340 basis points to 29.4%. Results benefited from higher volumes, favorable product mix and operational efficiencies.

Diagnostics margin expanded 480 basis points to 29.9%, driven by volume leverage and operational efficiencies. The margin included a 160-basis-point headwind from China Immunodiagnostics. Life Sciences margin improved 200 basis points to 31.5%, supported by higher volumes and favorable product mix.

RVTY’s Cash Flow Supports Balance Sheet Strength

The company ended the quarter with $592.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, down from $1.02 billion at the end of the second quarter. Gross debt totaled $2.63 billion, resulting in a net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.3 times. Revvity retired a €500 million note during the quarter.

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations totaled $166.7 million compared with $138.6 million in the year-ago quarter, reflecting a 20.3% increase. Free cash flow during the third quarter reached $152.4 million, representing 99% of adjusted net income. Year-to-date free cash flow totaled $451.3 million, or 105% of adjusted net income.

Revvity Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Revvity Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Revvity Inc. Quote

Revvity Raises Its 2026 Pro Forma Outlook

Revvity raised its full-year 2026 pro forma revenue outlook to approximately $2.86 billion, compared with the previous range of $2.83-$2.86 billion. The updated forecast implies total revenue growth of approximately 6% and organic growth of 5%.

Pro forma adjusted EPS is now expected to be between $5.40 and $5.45, compared with the previous guidance of $5.30-$5.40. The company anticipates an adjusted operating margin of approximately 28.8%.

The outlook assumes adjusted net interest expense and other items of approximately $88 million, an adjusted tax rate near 18% and approximately 112 million diluted shares. Foreign currency is expected to contribute 0.5% to revenue growth, while acquisitions are projected to add 0.75%.

The guidance excludes the China Immunodiagnostics business, which accounted for approximately 6% of Revvity's 2025 revenues. The divestiture is expected to close by the end of 2027.

RVTY’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Revvity currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are OPKO Health OPK, Intuitive Surgical ISRG and Globus Medical GMED.

OPKO Health, currently flaunting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reported a second-quarter 2026 adjusted loss of 1 cent per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 87.5%. Revenues of $163.6 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 24.7%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

OPK has an estimated earnings growth rate of 23.3% for 2026. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 95.1%.

Intuitive Surgical, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $3.00, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13.6%. Revenues of $3.05 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.9%.

Intuitive Surgical has a long-term estimated growth rate of 14.9%. ISRG’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 15.1%.

Globus Medical, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2, reported a second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.34, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 19.6%. Revenues of $789.6 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.4%.

GMED has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 12.4%. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 27.9%.

Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"

Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.

Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners, but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like D-Wave Quantum, which shot up +680.1%.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

Packaging Corp. (PKG) Is Up 3.85% in One Week: What You Should Know

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

While many investors like to look for momentum in stocks, this can be very tough to define. There is a lot of debate surrounding which metrics are the best to focus on and which are poor quality indicators of future performance. The Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at Packaging Corp. (PKG), which currently has a Momentum Style Score of B. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Packaging Corp. currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market?

Let's discuss some of the components of the Momentum Style Score for PKG that show why this maker of containerboard and corrugated packaging products shows promise as a solid momentum pick.

A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.

For PKG, shares are up 3.85% over the past week while the Zacks Containers - Paper and Packaging industry is up 0.21% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 12.79% compares favorably with the industry's 8.36% performance as well.

Considering longer term price metrics, like performance over the last three months or year, can be advantageous as well. Over the past quarter, shares of Packaging Corp. have risen 1.53%, and are up 32.24% in the last year. On the other hand, the S&P 500 has only moved 0.97% and 11.46%, respectively.

Investors should also pay attention to PKG's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. PKG is currently averaging 689,719 shares for the last 20 days.

Earnings Outlook

The Zacks Momentum Style Score also takes into account trends in estimate revisions, in addition to price changes. Please note that estimate revision trends remain at the core of Zacks Rank as well. A nice path here can help show promise, and we have recently been seeing that with PKG.

Over the past two months, 5 earnings estimates moved higher compared to 1 lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost PKG's consensus estimate, increasing from $10.48 to $10.56 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 7 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.

Bottom Line

Given these factors, it shouldn't be surprising that PKG is a #2 (Buy) stock and boasts a Momentum Score of B. If you're looking for a fresh pick that's set to soar in the near-term, make sure to keep Packaging Corp. on your short list.

Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"

Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.

Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners, but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like D-Wave Quantum, which shot up +680.1%.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital (HASI) Upgraded to Buy: Here's Why

Investors might want to bet on HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital (HASI), as it has been recently upgraded 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 sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.

Since a changing earnings picture is a powerful factor influencing near-term stock price movements, the Zacks rating system is very useful for individual investors. They may find it difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, as these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.

Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.

Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital

This provider of financing for sustainable infrastructure projects is expected to earn $3.04 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 1.5%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"

Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.

Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners, but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like D-Wave Quantum, which shot up +680.1%.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

Freddie Mac (FMCC) Upgraded to Strong Buy: Here's What You Should Know

Freddie Mac (FMCC) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.

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.

Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.

Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Freddie Mac basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.

Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Freddie Mac imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for Freddie Mac

This company is expected to earn $0.02 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Freddie Mac. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 300%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of Freddie Mac to a Zacks Rank #1 positions it in the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"

Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.

Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners, but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like D-Wave Quantum, which shot up +680.1%.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

AerCap (AER) Is Up 8.63% in One Week: What You Should Know

Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the "long context," investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at AerCap (AER), which currently has a Momentum Style Score of B. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. AerCap currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market?

Let's discuss some of the components of the Momentum Style Score for AER that show why this airplane leasing company shows promise as a solid momentum pick.

Looking at a stock's short-term price activity is a great way to gauge if it has momentum, since this can reflect both the current interest in a stock and if buyers or sellers have the upper hand at the moment. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.

For AER, shares are up 8.63% over the past week while the Zacks Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry is up 2.66% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 13.99% compares favorably with the industry's 2.61% performance as well.

While any stock can see its price increase, it takes a real winner to consistently beat the market. That is why looking at longer term price metrics -- such as performance over the past three months or year -- can be useful as well. Shares of AerCap have increased 9.2% over the past quarter, and have gained 24.69% in the last year. On the other hand, the S&P 500 has only moved 0.97% and 11.46%, respectively.

Investors should also take note of AER's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. Right now AER is averaging 1,162,529 shares for the last 20 days..

Earnings Outlook

The Zacks Momentum Style Score encompasses many things, including estimate revisions and a stock's price movement. Investors should note that earnings estimates are also significant to the Zacks Rank, and a nice path here can be promising. We have recently been noticing this with AER.

Over the past two months, 4 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost AER's consensus estimate, increasing from $18.95 to $21.22 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 3 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.

Bottom Line

Given these factors, it shouldn't be surprising that AER is a #1 (Strong Buy) stock and boasts a Momentum Score of B. If you're looking for a fresh pick that's set to soar in the near-term, make sure to keep AerCap on your short list.

Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"

Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.

Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners, but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like D-Wave Quantum, which shot up +680.1%.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

V.F. (VFC) Moves to Buy: Rationale Behind the Upgrade

Investors might want to bet on V.F. (VFC), as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.

The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.

Since a changing earnings picture is a powerful factor influencing near-term stock price movements, the Zacks rating system is very useful for individual investors. They may find it difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, as these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.

Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for V.F. basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.

For V.F., rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for V.F.

This maker of brands such as Vans, North Face and Timberland is expected to earn $1.16 per share for the fiscal year ending March 2027, which represents no year-over-year change.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for V.F.. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 8.6%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of V.F. to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"

Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.

Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners, but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like D-Wave Quantum, which shot up +680.1%.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research