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How to Boost Your Portfolio with Top Finance Stocks Set to Beat Earnings

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Wall Street watches a company's quarterly report closely to understand as much as possible about its recent performance and what to expect going forward. Of course, one figure often stands out among the rest: earnings.

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.

Hunting for 'earnings whispers' or companies poised to beat their quarterly earnings estimates is a somewhat common practice. But that doesn't make it easy. One way that has been proven to work is by using the Zacks Earnings ESP tool.

The Zacks Earnings ESP, Explained

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. The system also utilizes our core Zacks Rank to provide a stronger system for identifying stocks that might beat their next quarterly earnings estimate and possibly see the stock price climb.

Bringing together a positive earnings ESP alongside a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better has helped stocks report a positive earnings surprise 70% of the time. Furthermore, by using these parameters, investors have seen 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.

Stocks with a #3 (Hold) ranking, which is most stocks covered at 60%, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. But stocks that fall into the #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) ranking, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market. Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.

Should You Consider American Tower?

The final step today is to look at a stock that meets our ESP qualifications. American Tower (AMT - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) nine days from its next quarterly earnings release on October 26, 2023, and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $2.37 a share.

American Tower's Earnings ESP sits at +0.59%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $2.37 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.35. AMT is also part of a large group of stocks that boast a positive ESP. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

AMT is just one of a large group of Finance stocks with a positive ESP figure. AvalonBay Communities (AVB - Free Report) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.

Slated to report earnings on October 25, 2023, AvalonBay Communities holds a #2 (Buy) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $2.66 a share eight days from its next quarterly update.

For AvalonBay Communities, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.64 is +0.76%.

AMT and AVB'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 >>


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


American Tower Corporation (AMT) - free report >>

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB) - free report >>

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