How to Boost Your Portfolio with Top Computer and Technology Stocks Set to Beat Earnings
Wall Street watches a company's quarterly report closely to understand as much as possible about its recent performance and what to expect going forward. Of course, one figure often stands out among the rest: earnings.
We know earnings results are vital, but how a company performs compared to bottom line expectations can be even more important when it comes to stock prices, especially in the near-term. This means that investors might want to take advantage of these earnings surprises.
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.
The last thing we will do today, now that we have a grasp on the ESP and how powerful of a tool it can be, is to look at a qualifying stock. ASML (ASML) holds a Zacks Rank #3 at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $2.95 a share 22 days away from its upcoming earnings release on April 17, 2024.
ASML's Earnings ESP sits at 3.42%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $2.95 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.85.
ASML is part of a big group of Computer and Technology stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Palo Alto Networks (PANW) as well.
Palo Alto Networks is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, and is getting ready to report earnings on May 28, 2024. PANW's Most Accurate Estimate sits at $1.26 a share 63 days from its next earnings release.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Palo Alto Networks is $1.26, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of 0.34%.
Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, ASML and PANW could potentially post earnings beats in their next reports.
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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ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) : Free Stock Analysis Report
