Zacks Earnings Preview: Kohl’s, Macy, Nordstrom, Computer Sciences and Carmike Cinemas

For Immediate Release

 Chicago, IL – August 8, 2011 – Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This week’s list includes Kohl’s ( KSS - Analyst Report), Macy ( M - Analyst Report) Nordstrom ( JWN - Analyst Report), Computer Sciences ( CSC - Analyst Report) and Carmike Cinemas (CKEC - Snapshot Report). To see more earnings analysis, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=3207.

Every day, Zacks.com makes 4 stock picks available, free of charge. To see them, go to  http://at.zacks.com/?id=3567.

Earnings Season Not Done Yet

 The second quarter earnings season is winding down, but is not over yet. There will be 480 firms reporting, but just 20 of those are in the S&P 500. By next Friday afternoon, almost 90% of the S&P 500 will have reported.

It will be a relatively light week for economic data. Tuesday brings the report on Productivity and Unit Labor Costs for the second quarter, as well as a FOMC meeting. On Wednesday we get the Federal Budget Deficit for July, followed by the June Trade Deficit on Thursday, and the finish up with Retail sales on Friday. While not as busy a data week as either of the last two, there is more than enough there to move the markets.

Potential Positive or Negative Surprises

Historically the best indicators of firms likely to report positive surprises are a recent history of positive surprises and rising estimates going into the report. The Zacks Rank is also a good indicator of potential surprises. Similarly, a recent history of earnings disappointments, cuts in the average estimate for the quarter in the month before the report is due and a poor Zacks Rank (#4 or #5) are often red flags pointing to a potential disappointing earnings report.

Potential Positive Surprises

• Kohl’s ( KSS - Analyst Report) is expected to report EPS of $1.39 versus $0.89 a year ago. Last time out KSS reported 1.39% above expectations, and over the last month the estimates for this quarter have risen by 1.07%. KSS is a Zacks #2 Ranked stock.
• Macy’s ( M - Analyst Report) is expected to report EPS of $0.47 versus $0.35 a year ago. Last time out M reported 66.67% above expectations, and over the last month the estimates for this quarter have risen by 5.08%. Macy's is a Zacks #2 Ranked stock.
• Nordstrom ( JWN - Analyst Report) is expected to report EPS of $0.73 versus $0.66 a year ago. Last time out JWN reported 2.99% above expectations, and over the last month the estimates for this quarter have risen by 1.48%. JWN is a Zacks #2 Ranked stock.

Potential Negative Surprises

• Computer Sciences ( CSC - Analyst Report) is expected to report EPS of $0.70 versus $0.91 a year ago. Last time out CSC reported 21.09% below expectations, and over the last month the estimates for this quarter have dropped by 0.53%. CSC is a Zacks #4 Ranked stock.
• Carmike Cinemas (CKEC - Snapshot Report) is expected to report EPS of $0.20 versus a loss of $0.19 a year ago. Last time out CKEC reported 191.84% below expectations (loss when profits were expected), and over the last month, the estimates for this quarter have fallen by 16.30%. CKEC is a Zacks #5 Ranked stock.

 Dirk Van Dijk, CFA, is the Chief Equity Strategist for Zacks.com.

About the Zacks Rank

Since 1988, the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Since inception in 1988, #1 Rank Stocks have generated an average annual return of +28%. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%, while the S&P 500 tumbled -37.6%. Also note that the Zacks Rank system has just as many Strong Sell recommendations (Rank #5) as Strong Buy recommendations (Rank #1). Since 1988, Zacks Rank #5 stocks have significantly underperformed the S&P 500 (+3% versus +10%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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Contact: Dirk Van Dijk, CFA
Company: Zacks.com
Phone: 312-265-9211
Email: pr@zacks.com
Visit: www.Zacks.com

Read the full analyst report on KSS

Read the full analyst report on M

Read the full analyst report on JWN

Read the full analyst report on CSC

Read the full analyst report on CKEC