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Want Better Returns? Don't Ignore These 2 Medical Stocks Set to Beat Earnings

Zacks Equity Research
·2 min read

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, 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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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. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) earns a Zacks Rank #3 right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $5.51 a share, just 14 days from its upcoming earnings release on October 14, 2022.

UnitedHealth Group's Earnings ESP sits at 1.08%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $5.51 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.45.

UNH is just one of a large group of Medical stocks with a positive ESP figure. Teladoc (TDOC) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.

Slated to report earnings on October 26, 2022, Teladoc holds a #3 (Hold) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is -$0.47 a share 26 days from its next quarterly update.

Teladoc's Earnings ESP figure currently stands at 19.09% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of -$0.59.

Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, UNH and TDOC 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
 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Teladoc Health, Inc. (TDOC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research