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Is a Beat in the Cards for First Data (FDC) in Q4 Earnings?
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First Data Corporation is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2018 results on Feb 6, before market open.
While the company’s top line is expected to be driven by strength across its core merchant acquiring, card issuance, ISV and Clover solutions, the bottom line is likely to be hurt by the normalization of adjusted effective tax rate.
Over the past year, shares of First Data have gained 43.7%, significantly outperforming the 4.6% rise of the industry it belongs to.
Let's check out how things are shaping up for the announcement.
Core Businesses to Drive Top Line
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2018 revenues stands at $2.19 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 12.3%. The expected growth is likely to be driven by strength across its core merchant acquiring, card issuance, ISV and Clover solutions.
Seasonality will have a positive impact on the top line in the to-be-reported quarter. Notably, the company’s all three business segments experience stronger demand in the fourth quarter and weaker demand in the first quarter, relative to second and third quarters.
In third-quarter 2018, total segment revenues of $2.16 billion increased 4% year over year.
Earnings Likely to Decline Year Over Year
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share in the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at 37 cents, indicating year-over-year decline of 15.9%. The bottom line is likely to be hurt by the normalization of adjusted effective tax rate, which was, however, partially offset by improved operating performance.
In third-quarter 2018, adjusted earnings per share of 35 cents fell short of the year-ago figure by 5 cents.
Our Model Suggests a Beat
According to the Zacks model, a company with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) has a good chance of beating estimates if it also has a positive Earnings ESP. The Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) are best avoided, especially if they have a negative Earnings ESP. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
First Data has an Earnings ESP of +3.17% and a Zacks Rank #2, a combination that increases the odds of an earnings beat.
Here are a few stocks from the broader Zacks Business Services sector that investors may consider as our model shows that these also have the right combination of elements to beat on fourth-quarter 2018 earnings:
IQVIA Holdings (IQV - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.04% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is slated to report results on Feb 14.
Fiserv has an Earnings ESP of +0.03% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to release results on Feb 7.
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020.
Image: Bigstock
Is a Beat in the Cards for First Data (FDC) in Q4 Earnings?
First Data Corporation is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2018 results on Feb 6, before market open.
While the company’s top line is expected to be driven by strength across its core merchant acquiring, card issuance, ISV and Clover solutions, the bottom line is likely to be hurt by the normalization of adjusted effective tax rate.
Over the past year, shares of First Data have gained 43.7%, significantly outperforming the 4.6% rise of the industry it belongs to.
Let's check out how things are shaping up for the announcement.
Core Businesses to Drive Top Line
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2018 revenues stands at $2.19 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 12.3%. The expected growth is likely to be driven by strength across its core merchant acquiring, card issuance, ISV and Clover solutions.
Seasonality will have a positive impact on the top line in the to-be-reported quarter. Notably, the company’s all three business segments experience stronger demand in the fourth quarter and weaker demand in the first quarter, relative to second and third quarters.
In third-quarter 2018, total segment revenues of $2.16 billion increased 4% year over year.
Earnings Likely to Decline Year Over Year
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share in the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at 37 cents, indicating year-over-year decline of 15.9%. The bottom line is likely to be hurt by the normalization of adjusted effective tax rate, which was, however, partially offset by improved operating performance.
In third-quarter 2018, adjusted earnings per share of 35 cents fell short of the year-ago figure by 5 cents.
Our Model Suggests a Beat
According to the Zacks model, a company with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) has a good chance of beating estimates if it also has a positive Earnings ESP. The Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) are best avoided, especially if they have a negative Earnings ESP. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
First Data has an Earnings ESP of +3.17% and a Zacks Rank #2, a combination that increases the odds of an earnings beat.
First Data Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
First Data Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | First Data Corporation Quote
Other Stocks to Consider
Here are a few stocks from the broader Zacks Business Services sector that investors may consider as our model shows that these also have the right combination of elements to beat on fourth-quarter 2018 earnings:
Spotify Technology (SPOT - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +75.00% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to release results on Feb 6. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
IQVIA Holdings (IQV - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.04% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is slated to report results on Feb 14.
Fiserv has an Earnings ESP of +0.03% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to release results on Feb 7.
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020.
Click here for the 6 trades >>