Ameris Bancorp(ABCB) ZACKS· ZACKS·2025-05-07 17:01Core Viewpoint - Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate, which reflects EPS estimates from sell-side analysts, and changes in these estimates are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [2][4]. - Rising earnings estimates for Ameris Bancorp indicate an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to lead to increased stock prices as investors respond positively [5][8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Ameris Bancorp's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10]. Recent Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Ameris Bancorp is expected to earn $5.34 per share, reflecting a 6.4% increase from the previous year [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ameris Bancorp has increased by 7%, indicating a positive trend in earnings expectations [8].