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Can Segmental Growth Drive Willis Towers (WLTW) Q3 Earnings?
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Willis Towers Watson plc is slated to report third-quarter 2017 results on Nov 2, before the market opens. Last quarter, the company reported a negative earnings surprise of 2.03%. Let’s see, how things are shaping up for this announcement.
Willis Towers is expected to have generated an improved top line, driven by commissions and fees as well as investment income.
Commissions and fees likely have increased on better performance across all segments.
A gradually improving interest rate environment drove increase/the upside in investment income.
Solid business momentum at exchange business likely has favored results. Sales pipeline remains strong, especially in the mid-market, and memberships too have increased. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for exchange solutions revenues is pegged at $179 million, up 0.6% sequentially.
Operational Improvement Program and cost synergies from the company’s merger likely have benefited margins, partially offset by costs incurred due to forex hedging program and higher integration costs in the quarter.
Nonetheless, share buybacks likely have provided an additional upside.
The Zacks Consensus estimate is pegged at $1.13 per share on revenues of $1.8 billion. While the bottom line reflects a 8.3% year-over-year rise, the top line translates to 3.4% growth.
What Our Quantitative Model Predicts
Our proven model does not conclusively show that Willis Towers is likely to beat estimates this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have the right combination of two main ingredients — a positive Earnings ESP and a favorable Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) — for an earnings beat. But that is not the case here as elaborated below.
Zacks ESP: Willis Towers has an Earnings ESP of -0.07%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company Price and EPS Surprise
Zacks Rank: Willis Towers carries a Zacks Rank #3, which increases the predictive power of ESP. However, a stock needs to have a positive ESP to be confident about an earnings surprise.
Stocks to Consider
Some stocks worth considering from the finance sector with the right combination of elements to surpass expectations this quarter are as follows:
Apollo Investment Corporation has an Earnings ESP of +2.13%. This Zacks #3 Ranked company is slated to report third-quarter earnings on Nov 3.
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (AEL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.40% and holds a Zacks Rank #2. The company is set to report third-quarter earnings on Nov 6.
Wall Street’s Next Amazon
Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.
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Can Segmental Growth Drive Willis Towers (WLTW) Q3 Earnings?
Willis Towers Watson plc is slated to report third-quarter 2017 results on Nov 2, before the market opens. Last quarter, the company reported a negative earnings surprise of 2.03%. Let’s see, how things are shaping up for this announcement.
Willis Towers is expected to have generated an improved top line, driven by commissions and fees as well as investment income.
Commissions and fees likely have increased on better performance across all segments.
A gradually improving interest rate environment drove increase/the upside in investment income.
Solid business momentum at exchange business likely has favored results. Sales pipeline remains strong, especially in the mid-market, and memberships too have increased. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for exchange solutions revenues is pegged at $179 million, up 0.6% sequentially.
Operational Improvement Program and cost synergies from the company’s merger likely have benefited margins, partially offset by costs incurred due to forex hedging program and higher integration costs in the quarter.
Nonetheless, share buybacks likely have provided an additional upside.
The Zacks Consensus estimate is pegged at $1.13 per share on revenues of $1.8 billion. While the bottom line reflects a 8.3% year-over-year rise, the top line translates to 3.4% growth.
What Our Quantitative Model Predicts
Our proven model does not conclusively show that Willis Towers is likely to beat estimates this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have the right combination of two main ingredients — a positive Earnings ESP and a favorable Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) — for an earnings beat. But that is not the case here as elaborated below.
Zacks ESP: Willis Towers has an Earnings ESP of -0.07%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company Price and EPS Surprise
Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company Price and EPS Surprise | Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company Quote
Zacks Rank: Willis Towers carries a Zacks Rank #3, which increases the predictive power of ESP. However, a stock needs to have a positive ESP to be confident about an earnings surprise.
Stocks to Consider
Some stocks worth considering from the finance sector with the right combination of elements to surpass expectations this quarter are as follows:
Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC - Free Report) is set to report third-quarter earnings on Nov 2 with an Earnings ESP of +2.86% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Apollo Investment Corporation has an Earnings ESP of +2.13%. This Zacks #3 Ranked company is slated to report third-quarter earnings on Nov 3.
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (AEL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.40% and holds a Zacks Rank #2. The company is set to report third-quarter earnings on Nov 6.
Wall Street’s Next Amazon
Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.
Click for details >>