4 Business Services Stocks Set To Top Q4 Earnings Estimates

The Zacks Business Services sector is one of the six (out of the total 16) Zacks sectors expected to register earnings growth in fourth-quarter 2019, per the latest Earnings Outlook report. The sector is anticipated to record earnings growth of 9.9% on 12% higher revenues in the current reporting cycle.

The sector has performed well compared with the benchmark index over the past year. It has gained 30.3% compared with the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s rise of 26.5% in the said time frame. It currently carries a Zacks Sector Rank in the top 25% (4 out of 16 sectors).

Factors Driving the Sector’s Q4 Results

The sector is expected to have benefited from economic strength and stability, and robust service activities in the fourth quarter. It remained buoyed by a strong labor market, soaring job growth, low unemployment and inflation.

Notably, U.S. GDP grew at an annualized rate of 2.1% in third-quarter 2019 per the "third" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The Conference Board expects GDP growth of 2.2% in the fourth quarter and 2.3% in 2019.

December was the 119th month of consecutive growth in non-manufacturing activities with ISM-measured Non-Manufacturing Index, touching 55%. Notably, a reading above 50 indicates growth.

Further, the sector remained less affected by severe trade tensions in the quarter as business services firms have lower foreign exposure compared with goods companies and incur lower foreign input costs.

Zeroing in on Winners

Earnings ESP is our proprietary methodology for determining the stocks that have the best chance to deliver a positive earnings surprise in their next earnings announcement. Earnings ESP shows the percentage difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

According to the Zacks model, the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. The selection can be done with the help of the Zacks Stock Screener. Our research shows that for stocks with this combination, the chance of a positive earnings surprise is as high as 70%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

4 Business Services Stocks That Match the Criteria

Waste management, comprehensive waste, and environmental services company Waste Management (NYSE:WM) has an Earnings ESP of +4.43% and carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company is scheduled to release fourth-quarter 2019 results on Feb 13. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Waste Management, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Payment technology and software solutions provider Global Payments (NYSE:GPN) will report fourth- quarter 2019 results on Feb 12. The company has an Earnings ESP of +3.15% and a Zacks Rank #2.

Global Payments Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Financial services and technology company Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:FIS) has an Earnings ESP of +0.45% and carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company will release fourth-quarter 2019 results on Feb 13.

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Ratings, benchmarks, analytics, and data provider to the capital and commodity markets, S&P Global (NYSE:SPGI) will report fourth-quarter 2019 results on Feb 6. The company has an Earnings ESP of +1.04% and a Zacks Rank #2.

S&P Global Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

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