Cerner Corporation’s third-quarter 2019 results are scheduled to release on Oct 24 after the closing bell. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 3.13%. Further, it has an average four-quarter positive surprise of 0.78%.
Let’s take a look at how things are shaping up prior to this announcement.
Which Way Are Q3 Estimates Treading?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter earnings is pegged at 65 cents, suggesting an improvement of 3.2% from the year-ago quarter. The same for revenues is pegged at $1.43 billion, indicating growth of 6.7% from the year-ago reported figure.
Factors to Influence Q3
Management at Cerner expects bookings revenues between $1.50 billion and $1.70 billion in the third quarter. The mid-point of this range reflects an increase of 1% from the prior-year quarter. Several large, long-term deals in the pipeline are likely to have backed the guidance. Additionally, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for third quarter bookings is pegged at $1.62 billion, indicating an improvement of 2.3% from the year-ago quarter.
The company’s third-quarter top line is expected reflect an improvement in revenues across professional and managed services segments, and licensed software business line. Notably, the company expects revenues to range between $1.41 billion and $1.46 billion in the third quarter. The mid-point of this range reflects growth of 7% from the year-ago quarter.
Given the structural and process changes that are being made by the company, Cerner is likely to have become more focused and efficient, which in turn might have improved predictability and profitability. In fact, adjusted earnings per share are expected in the band of 65-67 cents in the third quarter. The mid-point of this range is 5% higher than the year-ago quarter.
Further, strong contributions from the key areas, namely Population Health, Revenue Cycle and IT Works are anticipated to get reflected in the company’s overall performance. Moreover, better-than-expected non-U.S. revenues are likely to have impacted the to-be-reported quarter’s performance.
However, the company is likely to have experienced contraction in operating margin in the third quarter primarily thanks to headwinds like non-cash software amortization and depreciation, traditional software revenue growth challenges. Further, the company might have experienced a decline in gross margin in the to-be-reported quarter owing to somewhat higher mix of third-party services.
Here’s What the Quantitative Model Suggests
Per our proven model, a stock needs to have a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) to deliver a positive earnings surprise. This is not the case here as you will see below.
Earnings ESP: Cerner has an Earnings ESP of +0.82%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Cerner carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Stocks Worth a Look
Here are a few medical stocks worth considering as they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.
Edward Lifesciences Corporation (EW - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.35% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
AmerisourceBergen Corporation has an Earnings ESP of +0.55% and a Zacks Rank #3.
Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.50% and a Zacks Rank #3.
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Cerner Corporation’s third-quarter 2019 results are scheduled to release on Oct 24 after the closing bell. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 3.13%. Further, it has an average four-quarter positive surprise of 0.78%.
Let’s take a look at how things are shaping up prior to this announcement.
Which Way Are Q3 Estimates Treading?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter earnings is pegged at 65 cents, suggesting an improvement of 3.2% from the year-ago quarter. The same for revenues is pegged at $1.43 billion, indicating growth of 6.7% from the year-ago reported figure.
Factors to Influence Q3
Management at Cerner expects bookings revenues between $1.50 billion and $1.70 billion in the third quarter. The mid-point of this range reflects an increase of 1% from the prior-year quarter. Several large, long-term deals in the pipeline are likely to have backed the guidance. Additionally, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for third quarter bookings is pegged at $1.62 billion, indicating an improvement of 2.3% from the year-ago quarter.
The company’s third-quarter top line is expected reflect an improvement in revenues across professional and managed services segments, and licensed software business line. Notably, the company expects revenues to range between $1.41 billion and $1.46 billion in the third quarter. The mid-point of this range reflects growth of 7% from the year-ago quarter.
Given the structural and process changes that are being made by the company, Cerner is likely to have become more focused and efficient, which in turn might have improved predictability and profitability. In fact, adjusted earnings per share are expected in the band of 65-67 cents in the third quarter. The mid-point of this range is 5% higher than the year-ago quarter.
Further, strong contributions from the key areas, namely Population Health, Revenue Cycle and IT Works are anticipated to get reflected in the company’s overall performance. Moreover, better-than-expected non-U.S. revenues are likely to have impacted the to-be-reported quarter’s performance.
However, the company is likely to have experienced contraction in operating margin in the third quarter primarily thanks to headwinds like non-cash software amortization and depreciation, traditional software revenue growth challenges. Further, the company might have experienced a decline in gross margin in the to-be-reported quarter owing to somewhat higher mix of third-party services.
Here’s What the Quantitative Model Suggests
Per our proven model, a stock needs to have a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) to deliver a positive earnings surprise. This is not the case here as you will see below.
Earnings ESP: Cerner has an Earnings ESP of +0.82%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Cerner carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Stocks Worth a Look
Here are a few medical stocks worth considering as they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.
Edward Lifesciences Corporation (EW - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.35% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
AmerisourceBergen Corporation has an Earnings ESP of +0.55% and a Zacks Rank #3.
Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.50% and a Zacks Rank #3.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 7 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 7 breakthrough stocks now>>
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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