Two factors often determine stock prices in the long run: earnings and interest rates. Investors can't control the latter, but they can focus on a company's earnings results every quarter.

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 Expected Surprise Prediction, or ESP, works by locking in on the most up-to-date analyst earnings revisions because they can be more accurate than estimates from weeks or even months before the actual release date. The thinking is pretty straightforward: analysts who provide earnings estimates closer to the report are likely to have more information. With this in mind, the Expected Surprise Prediction compares the Most Accurate Estimate (being the most recent) against the overall Zacks Consensus Estimate. The percentage difference provides the 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. Smucker (SJM) holds a Zacks Rank #3 at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $2.35 a share 30 days away from its upcoming earnings release on June 5, 2025.

Smucker's Earnings ESP sits at 4.52%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $2.35 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.25.

SJM is one of just a large database of Consumer Staples stocks with positive ESPs. Another solid-looking stock is Molson Coors Brewing (TAP).

Slated to report earnings on May 8, 2025, Molson Coors Brewing holds a #3 (Hold) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $0.83 a share two days from its next quarterly update.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Molson Coors Brewing is $0.80, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of 4.01%.

Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, SJM and TAP 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 >>

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The J. M. Smucker Company (SJM):Free Stock Analysis Report

Molson Coors Beverage Company (TAP):Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

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