Earnings Estimates Moving Higher for Lifepoint Hospitals (LPNT): Time to Buy?

Lifepoint Hospitals Inc. (LPNT) is a healthcare industry stock that could be an interesting play for investors. That is because, not only does the stock have decent short-term momentum, but it is seeing solid activity on the earnings estimate revision front as well.

These positive earnings estimate revisions suggest that analysts are becoming more optimistic on LPNT’s earnings for the coming quarter and year. In fact, consensus estimates have moved sharply higher for both of these time frames over the past four weeks, suggesting that Lifepoint Hospitals could be a solid choice for investors.

Current Quarter Estimates for LPNT

In the past 30 days, 9 estimates have gone higher for Lifepoint Hospitals while 2 have gone lower in the same time period. The trend has been pretty favorable too, with estimates increasing from 66 cents a share 30 days ago, to 73 today, a move of 10.6%.

Current Year Estimates for LPNT

Meanwhile, Lifepoint Hospitals’s current year figures are also looking quite promising, with 12 estimates moving higher in the past month, compared to no lower. The consensus estimate trend has also seen a boost for this time frame, increasing from $2.72 per share 30 days ago to $3.10 per share today, an increase of 14.0%.

Bottom Line

The stock has also started to move higher lately, adding 16.04% over the past four weeks, suggesting that investors are starting to take note of this impressive story. So investors may definitely want to consider this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock to profit in the near future.

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