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.

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.

Now that we understand the basic idea, let's look at how the Expected Surprise Prediction works. The ESP is calculated by comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the percentage difference between the two giving us the Zacks ESP figure.

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.

Most stocks, about 60%, fall into the #3 (Hold) category, and they are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. Stocks with a #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) rating, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market, with Strong Buy stocks outperforming more than any other rank.

Should You Consider Cheniere Energy?

The final step today is to look at a stock that meets our ESP qualifications. Cheniere Energy (LNG Quick QuoteLNG - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) 16 days from its next quarterly earnings release on February 20, 2025, and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $3.01 a share.

Cheniere Energy's Earnings ESP sits at +9.62%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $3.01 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.74. LNG is also part of a large group of stocks that boast a positive ESP. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

LNG is one of just a large database of Oils and Energy stocks with positive ESPs. Another solid-looking stock is Sunoco LP (SUN Quick QuoteSUN - Free Report) .

Slated to report earnings on February 11, 2025, Sunoco LP holds a #1 (Strong Buy) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $2.38 a share seven days from its next quarterly update.

For Sunoco LP, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.34 is +1.35%.

Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, LNG and SUN 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 >>