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Looking for Stocks with Positive Earnings Momentum? Check Out These 2 Consumer Discretionary Names

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Earnings are arguably the most important single number on a company's quarterly financial report. Wall Street clearly dives into all of the other metrics and management's input, but the EPS figure helps cut through all the noise.

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.

Now that we know how important earnings and earnings surprises are, it's time to show investors how to take advantage of these events to boost their returns by utilizing the Zacks Earnings ESP filter.

The Zacks Earnings ESP, Explained

The Zacks Earnings ESP is more formally known as the Expected Surprise Prediction, and it aims to grab the inside track on the latest analyst estimate revisions ahead of a company's report. The idea is relatively intuitive as a newer projection might be based on more complete 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.

When we join a positive earnings ESP with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or stronger, stocks posted a positive bottom-line surprise 70% of the time. Plus, this system saw investors produce roughly 28% 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 Roku?

Now that we understand what the ESP is and how beneficial it can be, let's dive into a stock that currently fits the bill. Roku (ROKU - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at -$1.53 a share, just 27 days from its upcoming earnings release on February 16, 2023.

By taking the percentage difference between the -$1.53 Most Accurate Estimate and the -$1.72 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Roku has an Earnings ESP of +11.08%. Investors should also know that ROKU is one of a large group of stocks with positive ESPs. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

ROKU is one of just a large database of Consumer Discretionary stocks with positive ESPs. Another solid-looking stock is Crocs (CROX - Free Report) .

Slated to report earnings on February 15, 2023, Crocs holds a #3 (Hold) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $2.19 a share 26 days from its next quarterly update.

Crocs' Earnings ESP figure currently stands at +1.79% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.15.

ROKU and CROX's positive ESP figures tell us that both stocks have a good chance at beating analyst expectations in their next earnings report.

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


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Crocs, Inc. (CROX) - free report >>

Roku, Inc. (ROKU) - free report >>

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