How to Find Strong Oils-Energy Stocks Slated for Positive Earnings Surprises

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Earnings are arguably the most important single number on a company's quarterly financial report. Wall Street clearly dives into all of the other metrics and management's input, but the EPS figure helps cut through all the noise.

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.

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. EOG Resources (EOG) earns a Zacks Rank #2 right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $2.97 a share, just 10 days from its upcoming earnings release on November 2, 2023.

EOG has an Earnings ESP figure of 2.95%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $2.97 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.89.

EOG is just one of a large group of Oils-Energy stocks with a positive ESP figure. Chevron (CVX) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.

Slated to report earnings on October 27, 2023, Chevron holds a #2 (Buy) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $3.61 a share four days from its next quarterly update.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chevron is $3.58, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of 0.96%.

EOG and CVX'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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EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Chevron Corporation (CVX) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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