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Why Big Lots' (BIG) Shares Likely to Gain Post Q2 Earnings

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Big Lots, Inc. is scheduled to release second-quarter fiscal 2017 results on Aug 25, before the opening bell. The question facing investors is whether this broad-line closeout retailer would be able to post positive earnings surprise in the quarter to be reported. In the trailing four quarters, it has outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by an average of 83%. In the preceding quarter, the company witnessed a positive earnings surprise of 15%. Let’s see how things are shaping up prior to this announcement.

What to Expect?

The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter under review is 62 cents compared with 52 cents reported in the year-ago period. Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has improved by a penny in the past 30 days. Moreover, analysts polled by Zacks expect revenues of $1,215 million in the second quarter, up nearly 1% from the year-ago quarter.

Now it is to be seen whether, Big Lots whose shares have gained 3.2% in the past one month can rally the shares higher after earnings. Notably, the industry has witnessed an increase of 4.7%.

What Does the Zacks Model Say?

Our proven model shows that Big Lots is likely to beat earnings estimates this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) and a positive Earnings ESP for this to happen. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Big Lots’ ESP of +0.72% and Zacks Rank #2 makes us reasonably confident of an earnings beat.

Factors at Play

The company's strategic endeavors, recent uptrend in the gross margin and positive earnings surprise streak in the last six quarters, are evidence of Big Lots robust performance. Moreover, the company’s furniture financing programs as well as the food and consumables categories have been consistently gaining traction. Notably, response has been impressive for furniture financing. Furniture, which has been the leading performer in the past few quarters, increased in the first quarter also. The company is very optimistic about the performance of furniture in fiscal 2017.

However, the company’s dismal top-line performance in the trailing four quarters has been a cause of worry. A challenging retail landscape, aggressive promotional strategies and waning store traffic are probably weighing on the performance.

Big Lots, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

Big Lots, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Big Lots, Inc. Quote

Stocks Poised to Beat Earnings Estimates

Here are some companies you may want to consider as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat:

Burlington Stores, Inc. (BURL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +3.23% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.23% and a Zacks Rank #3.

GameStop Corp. (GME - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.31% and a Zacks Rank #3.

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