Earnings Estimates Moving Higher for Rockwell Automation (ROK): Time to Buy?

Investors might want to bet on Rockwell Automation (ROK), as earnings estimates for this company have been showing solid improvement lately. The stock has already gained solid short-term price momentum, and this trend might continue with its still improving earnings outlook.The rising trend in estimate revisions, which is a result of growing analyst optimism on the earnings prospects of this industrial equipment and software maker, should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. Our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is principally built on this insight.The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008.Consensus earnings estimates for the next quarter and full year have moved considerably higher for Rockwell Automation, as there has been strong agreement among the covering analysts in raising estimates.The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate:12 Month EPSCurrent-Quarter Estimate RevisionsThe earnings estimate of $3.26 per share for the current quarter represents a change of +15.6% from the number reported a year ago.Over the last 30 days, five estimates have moved higher for Rockwell Automation compared to no negative revisions. As a result, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased 5.78%.Current-Year Estimate RevisionsFor the full year, the company is expected to earn $12.68 per share, representing a year-over-year change of +20.4%.In terms of estimate revisions, the trend for the current year also appears quite encouraging for Rockwell Automation. Over the past month, eight estimates have moved higher compared to no negative revisions, helping the consensus estimate increase 7.03%.Favorable Zacks RankThanks to promising estimate revisions, Rockwell Automation currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Zacks Rank is a tried-and-tested rating tool that helps investors effectively harness the power of earnings estimate revisions and make the right investment decision.You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Our research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500.Bottom LineInvestors have been betting on Rockwell Automation because of its solid estimate revisions, as evident from the stock's 12% gain over the past four weeks. As its earnings growth prospects might push the stock higher, you may consider adding it to your portfolio right away.Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge GainsQuantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks