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How to Find Strong Consumer Discretionary Stocks Slated for Positive Earnings Surprises

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.

Life and the stock market are both about expectations, and rising above what is expected is often rewarded, while falling short can come with negative consequences. Investors might want to try to capture stronger returns by finding positive earnings surprises.

2 Stocks to Add to Your Watchlist

The Zacks Earnings ESP, or Expected Surprise Prediction, aims to find earnings surprises by focusing on the most recent analyst revisions. The basic premise is that if an analyst reevaluates their earnings estimate ahead of an earnings release, it means they likely have new information that could possibly be more accurate. The core of the ESP model is comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, where the resulting percentage difference between the two equals the Expected Surprise Prediction.

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The final step today is to look at a stock that meets our ESP qualifications. Roblox (RBLX) earns a Zacks Rank #3 one day from its next quarterly earnings release on May 10, 2023, and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at -$0.35 a share.

By taking the percentage difference between the -$0.35 Most Accurate Estimate and the -$0.42 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Roblox has an Earnings ESP of 16.22%.

RBLX is one of just a large database of Consumer Discretionary stocks with positive ESPs. Another solid-looking stock is PENN Entertainment (PENN).

Slated to report earnings on August 3, 2023, PENN Entertainment holds a #2 (Buy) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $0.40 a share 86 days from its next quarterly update.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PENN Entertainment is $0.39, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of 1.38%.

RBLX and PENN's positive ESP metrics may signal that a positive earnings surprise for both stocks is on the horizon.

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

Roblox Corporation (RBLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report

PENN Entertainment, Inc. (PENN) : Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research