Two factors often determine stock prices in the long run: earnings and interest rates. Investors can't control the latter, but they can focus on a company's earnings results every quarter.

The earnings figure itself is key, of course, but a beat or miss on the bottom line can sometimes be just as, if not more, important. Therefore, investors should consider paying close attention to these earnings surprises, as a big beat can help a stock climb and vice versa.

Now that we know how important earnings and earnings surprises are, it's time to show investors how to take advantage of these events to boost their returns by utilizing the Zacks Earnings ESP filter.

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.

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.

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 #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 Analog Devices?

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. Analog Devices (ADI Quick QuoteADI - Free Report) earns a #2 (Buy) right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $3.98 a share, just 29 days from its upcoming earnings release on November 24, 2026.

Analog Devices' Earnings ESP sits at +2.23%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $3.98 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.89. ADI 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.

ADI is part of a big group of Computer and Technology stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Intel (INTC Quick QuoteINTC - Free Report) as well.

Slated to report earnings on October 29, 2026, Intel holds a #2 (Buy) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and its Most Accurate Estimate is $0.40 a share three days from its next quarterly update.

Intel's Earnings ESP figure currently stands at +2.22% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.39.

ADI and INTC'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 >>