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.

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.

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 ranking of #3 (Hold), or 60% of all stocks covered by the Zacks Rank, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. Stocks with rankings of #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy), 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 Ecolab?

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. Ecolab (ECL Quick QuoteECL - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $1.87 a share, just eight days from its upcoming earnings release on October 29, 2024.

By taking the percentage difference between the $1.87 Most Accurate Estimate and the $1.82 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Ecolab has an Earnings ESP of +2.99%. Investors should also know that ECL 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.

ECL is just one of a large group of Basic Materials stocks with a positive ESP figure. United States Steel (X Quick QuoteX - Free Report) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.

Slated to report earnings on October 31, 2024, United States Steel holds a #3 (Hold) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $0.46 a share 10 days from its next quarterly update.

For United States Steel, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.46 is +0.22%.

ECL and X'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 >>