Why Investors Need to Take Advantage of These 2 Consumer Discretionary Stocks Now

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Two factors often determine stock prices in the long run: earnings and interest rates. Investors can't control the latter, but they can focus on a company's earnings results every quarter.

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 Expected Surprise Prediction, or ESP, works by locking in on the most up-to-date analyst earnings revisions because they can be more accurate than estimates from weeks or even months before the actual release date. The thinking is pretty straightforward: analysts who provide earnings estimates closer to the report are likely to have more information. With this in mind, the Expected Surprise Prediction compares the Most Accurate Estimate (being the most recent) against the overall Zacks Consensus Estimate. The percentage difference provides the 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. Netflix (NFLX) earns a Zacks Rank #3 right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $3.53 a share, just 29 days from its upcoming earnings release on October 17, 2023.

By taking the percentage difference between the $3.53 Most Accurate Estimate and the $3.49 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Netflix has an Earnings ESP of 1.35%.

NFLX is one of just a large database of Consumer Discretionary stocks with positive ESPs. Another solid-looking stock is American Woodmark (AMWD).

Slated to report earnings on November 28, 2023, American Woodmark holds a #1 (Strong Buy) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $1.96 a share 71 days from its next quarterly update.

American Woodmark's Earnings ESP figure currently stands at 9.04% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.80.

NFLX and AMWD'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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Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report

American Woodmark Corporation (AMWD) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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