Earnings are arguably the most important single number on a company’s quarterly financial report. Wall Street clearly dives into all of the other metrics and management’s input, but the EPS figure helps cut through all the noise.
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 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.
With this in mind, the Expected Surprise Prediction compares the Most Accurate Estimate (being the most recent) against the overall Zacks Consensus Estimate. The percentage difference provides the ESP figure. The system also utilizes our core Zacks Rank to provide a stronger system for identifying stocks that might beat their next quarterly earnings estimate and possibly see the stock price climb.
In fact, when we combined a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time. Perhaps most importantly, using these parameters has helped produce 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 Devon Energy?
The final step today is to look at a stock that meets our ESP qualifications. Devon Energy (DVN – Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) six days from its next quarterly earnings release on February 18, 2025, and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $1.02 a share.
By taking the percentage difference between the $1.02 Most Accurate Estimate and the $1 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Devon Energy has an Earnings ESP of +2.11%. Investors should also know that DVN 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.
DVN is one of just a large database of Oils and Energy stocks with positive ESPs. Another solid-looking stock is ConocoPhillips (COP – Free Report) .
ConocoPhillips, which is readying to report earnings on May 1, 2025, sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) right now. It’s Most Accurate Estimate is currently $2.20 a share, and COP is 78 days out from its next earnings report.
For ConocoPhillips, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.16 is +1.96%.
Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, DVN and COP could potentially post earnings beats in their next reports.
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 >>
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