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

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Wall Street watches a company's quarterly report closely to understand as much as possible about its recent performance and what to expect going forward. Of course, one figure often stands out among the rest: earnings.

Life and the stock market are both about expectations, and rising above what is expected is often rewarded, while falling short can come with negative consequences. Investors might want to try to capture stronger returns by finding positive earnings surprises.

The ability to identify stocks that are likely to top quarterly earnings expectations can be profitable, but it's no simple task. Here at Zacks, our Earnings ESP filter helps make things easier.

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.

In fact, when we combined a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time. Perhaps most importantly, using these parameters has helped produce 28.3% 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 Teladoc?

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. Teladoc (TDOC - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at -$0.46 a share, just 27 days from its upcoming earnings release on April 24, 2024.

By taking the percentage difference between the -$0.46 Most Accurate Estimate and the -$0.47 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Teladoc has an Earnings ESP of +2.52%. Investors should also know that TDOC 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.

TDOC is part of a big group of Medical stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Medpace (MEDP - Free Report) as well.

Slated to report earnings on April 22, 2024, Medpace holds a #1 (Strong Buy) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $2.45 a share 25 days from its next quarterly update.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Medpace is $2.45, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of +0.02%.

TDOC and MEDP'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


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


Teladoc Health, Inc. (TDOC) - free report >>

Medpace Holdings, Inc. (MEDP) - free report >>

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