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Why Investors Need to Take Advantage of These 2 Oils and Energy Stocks Now

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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.

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 Expected Surprise Prediction, or ESP, works by locking in on the most up-to-date analyst earnings revisions because they can be more accurate than estimates from weeks or even months before the actual release date. The thinking is pretty straightforward: analysts who provide earnings estimates closer to the report are likely to have more information.

The core of the ESP model is comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, where the resulting percentage difference between the two equals the Expected Surprise Prediction. The Zacks Rank is also factored into the ESP metric to better help find companies that appear poised to top their next bottom-line consensus estimate, which will hopefully help lift the stock price.

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 First Solar?

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. First Solar (FSLR - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $2.18 a share, just 20 days from its upcoming earnings release on April 25, 2024.

By taking the percentage difference between the $2.18 Most Accurate Estimate and the $2.11 Zacks Consensus Estimate, First Solar has an Earnings ESP of +3.17%. Investors should also know that FSLR 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.

FSLR is part of a big group of Oils and Energy stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Coterra Energy (CTRA - Free Report) as well.

Coterra Energy is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, and is getting ready to report earnings on May 2, 2024. CTRA's Most Accurate Estimate sits at $0.41 a share 27 days from its next earnings release.

Coterra Energy's Earnings ESP figure currently stands at +1.67% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.41.

FSLR and CTRA'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:


First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) - free report >>

Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) - free report >>

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