Telecom service provider Cincinnati Bell Inc. is slated to report fourth-quarter 2016 results on Feb 15, before the opening bell.
The fourth-quarter 2016 financial report will be based on the company’s different business activities, financial operations and other operations during the October–December period of 2016. Over these three months span, shares of Cincinnati Bell witnessed growth of 9.56% while the Zacks categorized Diversified Comm Services industry witnessed a decline of 7.21%.
Last quarter, the company’s bottom line matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, the company’s earnings lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the previous four quarters, the average miss being 29.17%.
Let’s see how things are shaping up for this announcement.
Factors at Play
We are impressed with Cincinnati Bell’s continuous efforts to transform itself from a legacy copper-based telecommunications company to an IT company with contemporary fiber assets offering flexible data, video, voice and IP solutions to both consumer and business customers.
In the Entertainment and Communications business, the company’s investments in Fioptics products have helped it to witness revenue growth and subscriber addition. In this regard, the introduction of MyTV through its Fioptics high-speed Internet service bodes well. Additionally, increased investments in strategic products, the creation of a new business division for small and mid-sized businesses and the development of its IT Services and Hardware division have raked in more profits.
We also appreciate Cincinnati Bell’s recent decision to start offering eero inc’s whole-home Wi-Fi system at eight of its retail stores across Greater Cincinnati. This has helped in expanding its FTTH (Fiber to the home) customer base. Also, the company’s decision to expand its call centre base by hiring 300 more employees at its universal call centers has added to the region’s economic development.
On the flip side, continuous erosion in local access lines, heavy capital expenditure requirements, legal hurdles and a weakening cash and liquidity position of the company are potent headwinds. Moreover, intensifying competition in the company’s operational region can prove to be a drag on its pricing power, thereby inducing pressure on margins.
Also, the company recently faced opposition to its Local Area Service (LAS) discontinuation within the Kentucky region, from consumers and industry groups, citing concerns over the eventual shutdown of POTS services. CenturyLink Inc. and Windstream Holdings, Inc. also faced similar issues from consumers and businesses regarding their requests to shut down Frame Relay and small to medium-sized business digital subscriber line services.
Earnings Whispers
Our proven model does not conclusively show that Cincinnati Bell is likely to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate 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. Unfortunately, this is not the case here as elaborated below.
Zacks ESP: Cincinnati Bell has an Earnings ESP of -100.00%. This is because the Most Accurate estimate stands at a break-even while the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at 3 cents. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with ourEarnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Cincinnati Bell has a Zacks Rank #3 which increases the predictive power of ESP. However, the company’s negative ESP makes surprise prediction difficult.
We caution against Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Ranks #4 or 5) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.
Stock to Consider
Here is a company in the broader Utilities sector that has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.
SCANA Corporation is expected to release fourth-quarter 2016 results around Feb 16, 2017. The company has an Earnings ESP of +3.23% and a Zacks Rank #2.You can seethe complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the previous four quarters, with an average beat of 6.74%.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017?
Who wouldn't? As of early December, the 2016 Top 10 produced 5 double-digit winners including oil and natural gas giant Pioneer Natural Resources which racked up a stellar +50% gain. The new list is painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Be among the very first to see it>>
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What's Ahead for Cincinnati Bell (CBB) in Q4 Earnings?
Telecom service provider Cincinnati Bell Inc. is slated to report fourth-quarter 2016 results on Feb 15, before the opening bell.
The fourth-quarter 2016 financial report will be based on the company’s different business activities, financial operations and other operations during the October–December period of 2016. Over these three months span, shares of Cincinnati Bell witnessed growth of 9.56% while the Zacks categorized Diversified Comm Services industry witnessed a decline of 7.21%.
Last quarter, the company’s bottom line matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, the company’s earnings lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the previous four quarters, the average miss being 29.17%.
Let’s see how things are shaping up for this announcement.
Factors at Play
We are impressed with Cincinnati Bell’s continuous efforts to transform itself from a legacy copper-based telecommunications company to an IT company with contemporary fiber assets offering flexible data, video, voice and IP solutions to both consumer and business customers.
In the Entertainment and Communications business, the company’s investments in Fioptics products have helped it to witness revenue growth and subscriber addition. In this regard, the introduction of MyTV through its Fioptics high-speed Internet service bodes well. Additionally, increased investments in strategic products, the creation of a new business division for small and mid-sized businesses and the development of its IT Services and Hardware division have raked in more profits.
We also appreciate Cincinnati Bell’s recent decision to start offering eero inc’s whole-home Wi-Fi system at eight of its retail stores across Greater Cincinnati. This has helped in expanding its FTTH (Fiber to the home) customer base. Also, the company’s decision to expand its call centre base by hiring 300 more employees at its universal call centers has added to the region’s economic development.
On the flip side, continuous erosion in local access lines, heavy capital expenditure requirements, legal hurdles and a weakening cash and liquidity position of the company are potent headwinds. Moreover, intensifying competition in the company’s operational region can prove to be a drag on its pricing power, thereby inducing pressure on margins.
Also, the company recently faced opposition to its Local Area Service (LAS) discontinuation within the Kentucky region, from consumers and industry groups, citing concerns over the eventual shutdown of POTS services. CenturyLink Inc. and Windstream Holdings, Inc. also faced similar issues from consumers and businesses regarding their requests to shut down Frame Relay and small to medium-sized business digital subscriber line services.
Earnings Whispers
Our proven model does not conclusively show that Cincinnati Bell is likely to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate 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. Unfortunately, this is not the case here as elaborated below.
Zacks ESP: Cincinnati Bell has an Earnings ESP of -100.00%. This is because the Most Accurate estimate stands at a break-even while the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at 3 cents. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with ourEarnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Cincinnati Bell has a Zacks Rank #3 which increases the predictive power of ESP. However, the company’s negative ESP makes surprise prediction difficult.
We caution against Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Ranks #4 or 5) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.
Cincinnati Bell Inc Price and EPS Surprise
Cincinnati Bell Inc Price and EPS Surprise | Cincinnati Bell Inc Quote
Stock to Consider
Here is a company in the broader Utilities sector that has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.
SCANA Corporation is expected to release fourth-quarter 2016 results around Feb 16, 2017. The company has an Earnings ESP of +3.23% and a Zacks Rank #2.You can seethe complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the previous four quarters, with an average beat of 6.74%.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017?
Who wouldn't? As of early December, the 2016 Top 10 produced 5 double-digit winners including oil and natural gas giant Pioneer Natural Resources which racked up a stellar +50% gain. The new list is painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Be among the very first to see it>>