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How to Find Strong Transportation Stocks Slated for Positive Earnings Surprises

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.

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 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. The ESP is calculated by comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the percentage difference between the two giving us the Zacks ESP figure.

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The final step today is to look at a stock that meets our ESP qualifications. Kirby (KEX) earns a Zacks Rank #1 30 days from its next quarterly earnings release on July 25, 2024, and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $1.42 a share.

By taking the percentage difference between the $1.42 Most Accurate Estimate and the $1.32 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Kirby has an Earnings ESP of 7.58%.

KEX is just one of a large group of Transportation stocks with a positive ESP figure. International Seaways (INSW) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.

International Seaways is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, and is getting ready to report earnings on August 14, 2024. INSW's Most Accurate Estimate sits at $2.64 a share 50 days from its next earnings release.

International Seaways' Earnings ESP figure currently stands at 7.2% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.46.

KEX and INSW's positive ESP figures tell us that both stocks have a good chance at beating analyst expectations in their next earnings report.

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

Kirby Corporation (KEX) : Free Stock Analysis Report

International Seaways Inc. (INSW) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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Zacks Investment Research