Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Will Workiva (WK) Come Up with a Surprise in Q3 Earnings?

Read MoreHide Full Article

Workiva Inc. (WK - Free Report) is set to report third-quarter 2016 results on Nov 9, 2016. Last quarter, the company posted a positive earnings surprise of 34.88%. Let’s see how things are shaping up for this announcement.

Factors to Consider

Workiva offers a cloud-based mobile-enabled platform for enterprises to collect, manage, report and analyze critical business data in real time. The exponential increase in the amount of data, complexity of data formats and the need to scale resources at regular intervals have compelled several companies to turn to cloud computing vendors.

Although the company reported a loss in second-quarter 2016, it compared favorably with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Also, the top line surpassed the consensus mark in the quarter and increased on a year-over-year basis.

Cloud computing includes the entire gamut of computing intelligence required to carry out day-to-day operations by companies and professionals. Thus, other than the hardware, all the supporting technology involved in creating, storing, retrieving, transporting, protecting, sorting, processing, analyzing and presenting information from multiple sources and formats, which when available from a shared (private) or public pool, could be referred to as cloud computing.

Cloud service providers, therefore, help organizations to store data and applications remotely in this pool, which can be accessed from anywhere, anytime via the Internet. Given its scope and advantages (cost, scaling, convenience, etc.), demand for cloud computing software and applications will continue to increase. This will aid Workiva’s results in the third quarter and beyond.

We believe that increasing mainstream adoption of cloud-based solutions will boost Workiva’s third-quarter results.

However, an uncertain economic environment, currency headwinds and competition remain major concerns.

WORKIVA INC Price and EPS Surprise

Earnings Whispers?

Our proven model does not conclusively show that Workiva is likely to beat earnings this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. That is not the case here as you will see below.

Zacks ESP: The Earnings ESP for Workiva is 0.00% as both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate stand at a loss per share of 43 cents. Please check our Earnings ESP Filter that enables you to find stocks that are expected to come out with earnings surprises.

Zacks Rank: Workiva has a Zacks Rank #3 which increases the predictive power of ESP. However, the company’s 0.00% ESP makes surprise prediction difficult.

We caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 and 5 (Sell-rated stocks) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions momentum.

Stocks to Consider

Here are some companies which, as per our model, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter:

Spartan Motors Inc. with Earnings ESP of +100.00% and a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here

Quantum Corporation with an Earnings ESP of +100.0% and a Zacks Rank #2

Methanex Corporation (MEOH - Free Report) with Earnings ESP of +300.00% and a Zacks Rank #3

Confidential from Zacks

Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>>


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


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


Methanex Corporation (MEOH) - free report >>

Workiva Inc. (WK) - free report >>

Published in