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Why Investors Need to Take Advantage of These 2 Consumer Staples Stocks Now

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.

We know earnings results are vital, but how a company performs compared to bottom line expectations can be even more important when it comes to stock prices, especially in the near-term. This means that investors might want to take advantage of these 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.

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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. Philip Morris (PM) holds a Zacks Rank #3 at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $1.32 a share 30 days away from its upcoming earnings release on April 20, 2023.

PM has an Earnings ESP figure of 0.76%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $1.32 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.31.

PM is just one of a large group of Consumer Staples stocks with a positive ESP figure. General Mills (GIS) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.

General Mills, which is readying to report earnings on March 23, 2023, sits at a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) right now. It's Most Accurate Estimate is currently $0.94 a share, and GIS is two days out from its next earnings report.

For General Mills, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.91 is 3.07%.

PM and GIS' 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

Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) : Free Stock Analysis Report

General Mills, Inc. (GIS) : Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research