Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings
surprises. This week’s list includes CKE
Restaurants (NYSE: CKR) and Oracle (Nasdaq: ORCL) . To see
more earnings analysis, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=3207.
Earnings Preview is written by Charles Rotblut, CFA, Senior Market
Analyst for Zacks.com.
Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) headlines an otherwise limited earnings
schedule. The software maker is projected to report fiscal third-quarter
profits of 29 cents per share on Wednesday.
Joining ORCL will be 90 other companies, including fellow S&P 500
members: Apollo Group (Nasdaq: APOL), Lennar (NYSE: LEN)
and Walgreen (NYSE: WAG).
The economic calendar has a few notable releases that could influence
trading.
Monday: February existing home sales
Tuesday: March Conference Board consumer confidence
Wednesday: February durable goods, February new home sales
Thursday: Final fourth-quarter GDP
Friday: February personal income and spending, revised University of
Michigan March consumer confidence survey
The major indexes seem likely to stay in their current wide trading
range, barring an unexpected event. First-quarter earnings season will
not hit full stride for a few more weeks and no new actions are expected
from the Fed for at least a few weeks.
Companies That Could Issue Positive Earnings Surprises during the
Week of Mar 24 - 28
As stated above, Oracle (Nasdaq: ORCL) is projected to report
fiscal third-quarter profits of 29 cents per share. The tech company
does have a history of surprising, having topped expectations during
three out of the past four quarters. The most accurate consensus of 30
cents per share further suggests the possibility of a positive earnings
surprise. Oracle is scheduled to report on Wednesday, Mar 26, after the
close of trading.
Companies That Could Issue Negative Earnings Surprises during the
Week of Mar 24 - 28
Last month, CKE Restaurants (NYSE: CKR) reported modest
fourth-quarter same-stores sales growth. The owner of the Hardee's and
Carl's Jr. chains, however, also stated that higher food costs adversely
affected margins. As result, brokerage analysts cut their fourth-quarter
projections. The consensus estimate of five cents per share is seven
cents below the average forecast of two months ago. CKR has missed
expectations four times during the past five quarters. CKE Restaurant is
scheduled to report on Friday, Mar 28, before the start of trading.
Charles Rotblut, CFA, is the senior market analyst for Zacks.com.
Want to turn earnings surprises into quick profits? Learn how by
visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=3206.
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