Want Better Returns? Don't Ignore These 2 Finance Stocks Set to Beat Earnings

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Quarterly financial reports play a vital role on Wall Street, as they help investors see how a company has performed and what might be coming down the road in the near-term. And out of all of the metrics and results to consider, earnings is one of the most important.

The earnings figure itself is key, but a beat or miss on the bottom line can sometimes be just as, if not more, important. Therefore, investors should consider paying close attention to these earnings surprises, as a big beat can help a stock climb even higher.

2 Stocks to Add to Your Watchlist

The Zacks Earnings ESP, or Expected Surprise Prediction, aims to find earnings surprises by focusing on the most recent analyst revisions. The basic premise is that if an analyst reevaluates their earnings estimate ahead of an earnings release, it means they likely have new information that could possibly be more accurate. The core of the ESP model is comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, where the resulting percentage difference between the two equals the Expected Surprise Prediction.

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. Wells Fargo (WFC) holds a Zacks Rank #3 at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $1.29 a share four days away from its upcoming earnings release on October 13, 2023.

WFC has an Earnings ESP figure of 3.83%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $1.29 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.24.

WFC is one of just a large database of Finance stocks with positive ESPs. Another solid-looking stock is Arch Capital Group (ACGL).

Arch Capital Group, which is readying to report earnings on October 30, 2023, sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) right now. It's Most Accurate Estimate is currently $1.39 a share, and ACGL is 21 days out from its next earnings report.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Arch Capital Group is $1.29, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of 7.61%.

WFC and ACGL's positive ESP figures tell us that both stocks have a good chance at beating analyst expectations in their next earnings report.

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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Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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