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Want Better Returns? Don?t Ignore These 2 Finance Stocks Set to Beat Earnings

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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.

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 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.

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.

When we join a positive earnings ESP with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or stronger, stocks posted a positive bottom-line surprise 70% of the time. Plus, this system saw investors produce roughly 28% 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 Progressive?

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. Progressive (PGR - Free Report) holds a #3 (Hold) at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $2.55 a share 30 days away from its upcoming earnings release on July 11, 2024.

PGR has an Earnings ESP figure of +1.28%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $2.55 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.51. Progressive is one of a large database 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.

PGR is one of just a large database of Finance stocks with positive ESPs. Another solid-looking stock is EPR Properties (EPR - Free Report) .

Slated to report earnings on August 7, 2024, EPR Properties holds a #3 (Hold) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $1.21 a share 57 days from its next quarterly update.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPR Properties is $1.19, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of +0.98%.

PGR and EPR's positive ESP metrics may signal that a positive earnings surprise for both stocks is on the horizon.

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


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The Progressive Corporation (PGR) - free report >>

EPR Properties (EPR) - free report >>

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