Quarterly financial reports play a vital role on Wall Street, as they help investors see how a company has performed and what might be coming down the road in the near-term. And out of all of the metrics and results to consider, earnings is one of the most important.

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 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.

The last thing we will do today, now that we have a grasp on the ESP and how powerful of a tool it can be, is to look at a qualifying stock. United States Steel (X) holds a Zacks Rank #3 at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $0.38 a share 30 days away from its upcoming earnings release on October 24, 2024.

United States Steel's Earnings ESP sits at 4.15%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $0.38 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.36.

X is part of a big group of Basic Materials stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Barrick Gold (GOLD) as well.

Slated to report earnings on November 7, 2024, Barrick Gold holds a #3 (Hold) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $0.35 a share 44 days from its next quarterly update.

Barrick Gold's Earnings ESP figure currently stands at 2.19% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.34.

X and GOLD'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 >>

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