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Want Better Returns? Don?t Ignore These 2 Medical 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.

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 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.

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 Zacks Rank is also factored into the ESP metric to better help find companies that appear poised to top their next bottom-line consensus estimate, which will hopefully help lift the stock price.

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 Amgen?

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. Amgen (AMGN - Free Report) holds a #3 (Hold) at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $4.98 a share 22 days away from its upcoming earnings release on August 6, 2024.

AMGN has an Earnings ESP figure of +2.25%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $4.98 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.87. Amgen 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.

AMGN is part of a big group of Medical stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at United Therapeutics (UTHR - Free Report) as well.

Slated to report earnings on August 7, 2024, United Therapeutics holds a #2 (Buy) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $6.33 a share 23 days from its next quarterly update.

United Therapeutics' Earnings ESP figure currently stands at +1.72% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.23.

AMGN and UTHR'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


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


Amgen Inc. (AMGN) - free report >>

United Therapeutics Corporation (UTHR) - free report >>

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