Negative numbers for this change in recommendation indicate improving sentiment.

For example, if Change in Cons. Rec = 4, this indicates that in the last month the Cons. Rec has gone from strong buy to strong sell (1 to 5).

Alternatively, if Change in Cons. Rec = -1, this indicates that in the last month the Cons. Rec has moved towards buy by a single step.

If it was a strong sell, the stock may now be an 'underperform'.

If it was a hold, the stock may now be an 'outperform’.

A consensus recommendation for an individual stock compiles ratings from a number of analysts who track that stock.

The recommendation is expressed as a median of the separate recommendations.

A consensus recommendation provides a snapshot of current thinking about a stock, so it can serve as a benchmark against which you can compare a single analyst's opinion to gauge how mainstream it is.

While recommendations aren't that useful in themselves, the change in recommendation is a powerful indicator - the direction of change being most important.