Falling Earnings Estimates Signal Weakness Ahead for Egalet (EGLT)

Similar to wise buying decisions, exiting certain underperformers at the right time helps maximize portfolio returns. Selling off losers can be difficult, but if both the share price and estimates are falling, it could be time to get rid of the security before more losses hit your portfolio.

One such stock that you may want to consider dropping is Egalet Corporation (EGLT) which has witnessed a significant price decline in the past four weeks, and it has seen negative earnings estimate revisions for the current quarter and the current year. A Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) further confirms weakness in EGLT.

A key reason for this move has been the negative trend in earnings estimate revisions. For the full year, we have seen 2 estimates moving down in the past 30 days, compared with no upward revisions. This trend has caused the consensus estimate to trend lower, going from a loss of $2.61 a share a month ago to its current level of a loss of $3.45.

Also, for the current quarter, Egalet has seen 2 downward estimate revisions versus no revisions in the opposite direction, dragging the consensus estimate down to a loss of 75 cents a share from a loss of 43 cents over the past 30 days.

The stock also has seen some pretty dismal trading lately, as the share price has dropped 27.2% in the past month.

So it may not be a good decision to keep this stock in your portfolio anymore, at least if you don’t have a long time horizon to wait.

If you are still interested in the healthcare sector, you may instead consider some better-ranked stocks including Endo International plc (ENDP), Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc. (HPTX) and United Therapeutics Corporation (UTHR). All these stocks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>




EGALET CORP (EGLT): Free Stock Analysis Report

(ENDP): Free Stock Analysis Report

HYPERION THERAPEUTICS INC (HPTX): Free Stock Analysis Report

(UTHR): Free Stock Analysis Report


Zacks Investment Research

Advertisement