Exelon Corporation Likely to Miss
Exelon Corporation (EXC) will release its fourth quarter 2012 financial results before the market opens on Feb 7, 2013. In the prior quarter, this electric utility reported an earnings surprise of 6.94%. Exelon Corporation currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Let’s see how things are shaping up at Exelon prior to this announcement.
Factors to Consider This Quarter
As in the preceding quarter, the accretive benefits from the merger with Constellation are expected to boost results.
However, the sluggish pace of economic recovery in the U.S. has forced Exelon to reschedule its long-term capex plans. The slackness in demand has led Exelon to delay the completion of three projects.
Like other utilities based in the East Coast, the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy will impact the results of the company in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Earnings Whispers
Our proven model does not conclusively show that Exelon Corporation is likely to beat earnings this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive earnings Expected Surprise Prediction (ESP) (Read: Zacks Earnings ESP: A Better Method) and a Zacks Rank of #1, 2 or 3 for this to happen. This is not the case here.
Negative Zacks ESP: This is because the Most Accurate estimate stands at 63 cents while the Zacks Consensus Estimate is higher at 65 cents. That is a difference of -3.08%.
Zacks Rank #3 (Hold): Exelon’s Zacks Rank #3 enhances the possibility of an earnings surprise. However the negative ESP complicates the forecasting power making surprise prediction difficult.
We caution investors against the stock going into the earnings announcement, as a Zacks earnings ESP of -3.08% lowers the possibility of an earnings surprise.
Other Stocks to Consider
Other companies you may want to consider on the basis of our model which shows that they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter are as follows:
TECO Energy Inc. (TE) has earnings ESP of +14.29% and Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Otter Tail Corporation (OTTR) has earnings ESP of +6.67% and Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
PPL Corporation (PPL) has earnings ESP of +6.52% and Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Read the Full Research Report on TE
Read the Full Research Report on EXC
Read the Full Research Report on PPL
Read the Full Research Report on OTTR
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