These 2 Basic Materials Stocks Could Beat Earnings: Why They Should Be on Your Radar

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Quarterly financial reports play a vital role on Wall Street, as they help investors see how a company has performed and what might be coming down the road in the near-term. And out of all of the metrics and results to consider, earnings is one of the most important.

The earnings figure itself is key, but a beat or miss on the bottom line can sometimes be just as, if not more, important. Therefore, investors should consider paying close attention to these earnings surprises, as a big beat can help a stock climb even higher.

2 Stocks to Add to Your Watchlist

The Zacks Earnings ESP is more formally known as the Expected Surprise Prediction, and it aims to grab the inside track on the latest analyst estimate revisions ahead of a company's report. The idea is relatively intuitive as a newer projection might be based on more complete information. The ESP is calculated by comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the percentage difference between the two giving us the Zacks ESP figure.

Now that we understand what the ESP is and how beneficial it can be, let's dive into a stock that currently fits the bill. Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC) earns a Zacks Rank #3 right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at -$0.07 a share, just 29 days from its upcoming earnings release on July 27, 2023.

Lithium Americas Corp.'s Earnings ESP sits at 48.78%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the -$0.07 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of -$0.14.

LAC is just one of a large group of Basic Materials stocks with a positive ESP figure. Franco-Nevada (FNV) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.

Franco-Nevada is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, and is getting ready to report earnings on August 9, 2023. FNV's Most Accurate Estimate sits at $0.97 a share 42 days from its next earnings release.

For Franco-Nevada, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.90 is 7.78%.

LAC and FNV's positive ESP metrics may signal that a positive earnings surprise for both stocks is on the horizon.

Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're Reported

Use the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>

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Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Franco-Nevada Corporation (FNV) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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