Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Discovery Communications (DISCA) Q3 Earnings Preview

Read MoreHide Full Article

Discovery Communications Inc. is scheduled to report third-quarter results on Nov 1, before market opens.

The company posed an earnings surprise of 16.39% in the last quarter. Moreover, it posted an earnings surprise in three of the last four quarters, with an average beat of 6.02%. 

Factors at Play

One of the major concerns for Discovery is customer concentration risk as the bulk of the company’s revenues come from around 10% of its customers. Moreover, the company has been struggling to boost advertising revenues which comprise a significant portion of its revenues. The company’s bottom line might also be impacted by unfavorable foreign exchange movements.

However, we are positive on the company’s efforts to deliver customer centric content and expand its business. The company‘s investor return policy through repurchases and buybacks is also impressive. Discovery has also entered into valuable collaborations with Mediacom, Hulu, Sony Corporation and CBS Corp. .

Our proven model does not conclusively show that Discovery is likely to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. Unfortunately, this is not the case here as elaborated below.

Zacks ESP: Discovery has an earnings ESP of -2.33%. This is because the Most Accurate estimate stands at 42 cents while the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at 43 cents. Please check our Earnings ESP Filter that enables you to find stocks that are expected to come out with earnings surprises.

Zacks Rank: Discovery has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Please note that we caution against Sell-rated stocks (#4 or 5) going into an earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions momentum as is the case for Discovery.

DISCOVERY COM-A Price and EPS Surprise

 

DISCOVERY COM-A Price and EPS Surprise | DISCOVERY COM-A Quote

Stock to Consider

Here is a company you may want to consider, as our model shows that it has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter:

Nexstar Broadcasting Group (NXST - Free Report) , with an earnings ESP of +12.64% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is expected to report third-quarter results on Nov 8. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Confidential from Zacks

Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>>


Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)


Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report
predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.


Click Here, It's Really Free

Published in