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Want Better Returns? Don?t Ignore These 2 Consumer Discretionary Stocks Set to Beat Earnings

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Two factors often determine stock prices in the long run: earnings and interest rates. Investors can't control the latter, but they can focus on a company's earnings results every quarter.

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.

Hunting for 'earnings whispers' or companies poised to beat their quarterly earnings estimates is a somewhat common practice. But that doesn't make it easy. One way that has been proven to work is by using the Zacks Earnings ESP tool.

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.

Bringing together a positive earnings ESP alongside a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better has helped stocks report a positive earnings surprise 70% of the time. Furthermore, by using these parameters, investors have seen 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.

Stocks with a ranking of #3 (Hold), or 60% of all stocks covered by the Zacks Rank, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. Stocks with rankings of #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy), 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 Trip.com?

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. Trip.com (TCOM - Free Report) earns a #1 (Strong Buy) right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $0.29 a share, just 12 days from its upcoming earnings release on June 7, 2023.

By taking the percentage difference between the $0.29 Most Accurate Estimate and the $0.27 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Trip.com has an Earnings ESP of +9.43%. Investors should also know that TCOM 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.

TCOM is part of a big group of Consumer Discretionary stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Deckers (DECK - Free Report) as well.

Deckers, which is readying to report earnings on July 27, 2023, sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) right now. It's Most Accurate Estimate is currently $2.12 a share, and DECK is 62 days out from its next earnings report.

Deckers' Earnings ESP figure currently stands at +3.42% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.05.

TCOM and DECK'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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Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) - free report >>

Trip.com Group Limited Sponsored ADR (TCOM) - free report >>

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