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.

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.

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.

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 Kohl's?

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. Kohl's (KSS Quick QuoteKSS - Free Report) holds a #3 (Hold) at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at -$0.50 a share 30 days away from its upcoming earnings release on May 29, 2025.

By taking the percentage difference between the -$0.50 Most Accurate Estimate and the -$0.53 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Kohl's has an Earnings ESP of +5.91%. Investors should also know that KSS 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.

KSS is part of a big group of Retail and Wholesale stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Ross Stores (ROST Quick QuoteROST - Free Report) as well.

Ross Stores is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, and is getting ready to report earnings on May 22, 2025. ROST's Most Accurate Estimate sits at $1.45 a share 23 days from its next earnings release.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ross Stores is $1.42, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of +2.18%.

Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, KSS and ROST 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 >>