Looking for Stocks with Positive Earnings Momentum? Check Out These 2 Computer and Technology Names

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.

The earnings figure itself is key, but a beat or miss on the bottom line can sometimes be just as, if not more, important. Therefore, investors should consider paying close attention to these earnings surprises, as a big beat can help a stock climb even higher.

2 Stocks to Add to Your Watchlist

The Zacks Expected Surprise Prediction, or ESP, works by locking in on the most up-to-date analyst earnings revisions because they can be more accurate than estimates from weeks or even months before the actual release date. The thinking is pretty straightforward: analysts who provide earnings estimates closer to the report are likely to have more 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.

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. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) earns a Zacks Rank #3 right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $0.46 a share, just 29 days from its upcoming earnings release on June 7, 2022.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Earnings ESP sits at 1.58%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $0.46 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.45.

HPE is one of just a large database of Computer and Technology stocks with positive ESPs. Another solid-looking stock is Palo Alto Networks (PANW).

Palo Alto Networks is a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) stock, and is getting ready to report earnings on May 19, 2022. PANW’s Most Accurate Estimate sits at $1.68 a share 10 days from its next earnings release.

For Palo Alto Networks, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.67 is 0.77%.

Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, HPE and PANW 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 >>

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
 
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research