For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 8, 2010 – Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This week’s list includes Jo-Ann Stores (JAS), Kirkland’s (KIRK), Quicksilver (ZQK), Gastar Exploration (GST) and Jackson Hewitt (JTX). To see more earnings analysis, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=3207.
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Slow Week Coming Up
Historically, the best indicators of firms likely to report positive surprises are a recent history of positive surprises and rising estimates going into the report. The Zacks Rank is also a good indicator of potential surprises. While normally firms that report better-than-expected earnings rise in reaction, that has not been the case so far this quarter. Some of the companies that have these characteristics include:
Jo-Ann Stores (JAS) is expected to report EPS of $1.33, up from $0.74 per share a year ago (it’s good to stick to your knitting). Last time out, JAS posted a positive surprise of 1.2% and over the last month the mean estimate for its fourth quarter earnings is up 32.7%. JAS has a Zacks #1 Rank.
Kirkland’s (KIRK) is expected to report EPS of $0.81, up from $0.59 a year ago. In the 3Q, KIRK posted a positive surprise of 187.5% and over the last month, the consensus estimate for its 4Q earnings is up 7.3%. KIRK is a Zacks #1 Rank stock.
Quicksilver (ZQK) is expected to lose $0.13 per share this year, worse than its $0.07 loss a year ago. Those low expectations could be setting it up for a positive surprise. In the third quarter, they posted a 133.3% positive surprise. Over the last month the mean estimate for the 4Q is up 1.9%. ZQK holds a Zacks #1 Rank.
Potential Negative Surprises
Gastar Exploration (GST) is expected to post a loss of $0.03 a share, versus break even a year ago. Last time they reported 133.3% below expectations. For this Zacks #5 Rank stock, analysts have cut their estimates for this quarter slightly over the last month by 50.0% (OK, it’s just a move from a loss of $0.02 to a loss of $0.03).
Jackson Hewitt (JTX) is expected to earn $0.51 a share this quarter, down from the $0.74 they earned a year ago. They had a positive surprise of 12.0% last time out, but analysts have cut the estimate for this quarter by 8.6% over the last month. The stock holds a Zacks #4 Rank.
Dirk Van Dijk, CFA, is the Chief Equity Strategist for Zacks.com.
About the Zacks Rank
Since 1988, the Zacks Rank has proven that “Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices.” Since inception in 1988, #1 Rank Stocks have generated an average annual return of +26%. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%, while the S&P 500 tumbled -37.6%. Also note that the Zacks Rank system has just as many Strong Sell recommendations (Rank #5) as Strong Buy recommendations (Rank #1). Since 1988, Zacks Rank #5 stocks have underperformed the S&P 500 by 111% annually (-0.8% versus +8%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.
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Contact: Dirk Van Dijk, CFA
Company: Zacks.com
Phone: 312-265-9211
Email: pr@zacks.com
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