Why ING's Recent Rating Upgrade Could Signal Better Days Ahead

ING Group just scored a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) upgrade, and there’s a solid reason behind it. This isn’t just Wall Street hype — it’s based on rising earnings estimates, which historically have been one of the strongest predictors of near-term stock price movements. For investors seeking reliable signals beyond typical analyst chatter, this upgrade deserves your attention.

Understanding the Connection Between Earnings and Stock Performance

Here’s what most retail investors miss: institutional money moves based on hard numbers, not feelings. When analysts begin raising their earnings estimates for a company, these big institutional players recalculate what the stock is actually worth. Higher earnings projections mean higher valuations, and that’s when you typically see buying pressure kick in.

For ING, the upward revision trend reflects an improving business outlook. Institutional investors tracking these estimate changes are essentially betting that the company’s fundamentals are strengthening. This coordinated buying action is what typically drives stock prices higher over the following weeks and months.

The Zacks Rank System: How It Works

The Zacks rating framework takes a data-driven approach by monitoring consensus earnings estimates across the sell-side analyst community. Unlike rating systems that tend to lean bullish (because analysts have incentives to stay positive), Zacks maintains strict proportions — only the top 5% of stocks receive a “Strong Buy” rating, and the next 15% qualify for “Buy.”

This disciplined approach means landing in the top 20% isn’t easy. ING’s positioning in this elite tier indicates that analysts have been steadily raising their earnings outlook for the company, not cutting it.

What the Numbers Show for ING

For fiscal year ending December 2025, ING is expected to deliver $2.36 in earnings per share. While unchanged from last year’s reported figure on the surface, what matters more is the trajectory: over the past three months, the consensus estimate has climbed 1.3%. This consistent upward revision is exactly the kind of signal that typically precedes stock outperformance.

The significance lies in this upgrading trend. Incremental improvements in earnings estimates, when they’re consistent and aligned across multiple analysts, often correlate strongly with near-term price appreciation.

Why This Rating Upgrade Matters

The Zacks Rank #2 designation for ING essentially confirms what the data is showing: analyst sentiment is shifting positively based on improving earnings projections. Unlike subjective recommendations that can be influenced by various non-financial factors, this ranking is purely driven by objective estimate revisions.

For portfolio builders looking for companies with positive fundamental momentum, ING’s upgrade places it squarely in the category of stocks worth monitoring. The rating reflects not just current performance, but an upgrading earnings picture that could translate into stock price appreciation in the months ahead.