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These 2 Consumer Staples Stocks Could Beat Earnings: Why They Should Be on Your Radar

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Quarterly financial reports play a vital role on Wall Street, as they help investors see how a company has performed and what might be coming down the road in the near-term. And out of all of the metrics and results to consider, earnings is one of the most important.

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, or Expected Surprise Prediction, aims to find earnings surprises by focusing on the most recent analyst revisions. The basic premise is that if an analyst reevaluates their earnings estimate ahead of an earnings release, it means they likely have new information that could possibly be more accurate.

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 Archer Daniels Midland?

The last thing we will do today, now that we have a grasp on the ESP and how powerful of a tool it can be, is to quickly look at a qualifying stock. Archer Daniels Midland (ADM - Free Report) holds a #3 (Hold) at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $1.51 a share one day away from its upcoming earnings release on October 24, 2023.

By taking the percentage difference between the $1.51 Most Accurate Estimate and the $1.50 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Archer Daniels Midland has an Earnings ESP of +0.55%. Investors should also know that ADM 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.

ADM is part of a big group of Consumer Staples stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Molson Coors Brewing (TAP - Free Report) as well.

Molson Coors Brewing is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, and is getting ready to report earnings on November 2, 2023. TAP's Most Accurate Estimate sits at $1.57 a share 10 days from its next earnings release.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Molson Coors Brewing is $1.52, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of +3.46%.

Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, ADM and TAP could potentially post earnings beats in their next reports.

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


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) - free report >>

Molson Coors Beverage Company (TAP) - free report >>

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