Quarterly financial reports play a vital role on Wall Street, as they help investors see how a company has performed and what might be coming down the road in the near-term. And out of all of the metrics and results to consider, earnings is one of the most important.
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.
2 Stocks to Add to Your Watchlist
The Zacks Earnings ESP, or Expected Surprise Prediction, aims to find earnings surprises by focusing on the most recent analyst revisions. The basic premise is that if an analyst reevaluates their earnings estimate ahead of an earnings release, it means they likely have new information that could possibly be more accurate. 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 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 look at a qualifying stock. Rivian Automotive (RIVN) holds a Zacks Rank #3 at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at -$1.51 a share 16 days away from its upcoming earnings release on August 11, 2022.
RIVN has an Earnings ESP figure of 9.58%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the -$1.51 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of -$1.67.
RIVN is part of a big group of Auto-Tires-Trucks stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Magna (MGA) as well.
Slated to report earnings on July 29, 2022, Magna holds a #3 (Hold) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it’s Most Accurate Estimate is $1 a share three days from its next quarterly update.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Magna is $0.95, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of 5.82%.
RIVN and MGA’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 >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Rivian Automotive, Inc. (RIVN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Magna International Inc. (MGA) : Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.