Top Performer for Tues: Cott Corp. (COT)

Cott Corporation (COT - Snapshot Report) has made the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List for Tuesday with a share gain of about 4%. Volume is at 600,000 shares, which is below the daily average of around 781,000.

Earnings estimates for COT haven't moved much in the past 2 months, but remain well above levels from 3 months ago in reaction to its second-quarter numbers.

COT is one of the world's largest non-alcoholic beverage companies, and also 1 of only 2 companies from the beverages-soft industry on today's Zacks #1 Rank List, which includes 218 stocks. The other name from the space is Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (DPS - Analyst Report).

Earnings Estimates

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this year rests at 65 cents per share currently. There has been no movement in the target over the past 2 months, but it remains above the level from 3 months ago by 71%.

Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year of 72 cents per share has only shown a penny improvement in 30 days, but is staying approximately 41% atop the 3-month ago mark of 51 cents.

Furthermore, next year's profit suggests year-over-year growth at nearly 11%.

Second-Quarter

Earnings estimates spiked higher a few months ago because COT announced solid second-quarter numbers in late July.

The company reported earnings per share of 51 cents, marking an impressive 240% surprise over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 15 cents. This was the company's second straight triple-digit quarterly earnings surprise.

Revenue declined nearly 6% to $438.8 million from $466.5 million. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, revenue increased 2.3%.

The quarter's results were driven by improvement in its North American operations and a stronger volume performance in its U.K. business.

"We will continue to support our customers' efforts to increase private label penetration, while executing our plan to reduce operating costs and optimize capital expenditures," said CEO Jerry Fowden.

"Our focus remains on improving year-over-year cash flow and reducing our level of debt, thereby allowing us to strengthen our position as a low cost, high service supplier," Mr Fowden continued.