EQT Corp (EQT) To Post Q4 Earnings: What's In The Cards?

EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) is expected to report fourth-quarter 2018 results on Feb 14.

The Pittsburgh, PA-based company’ has an impressive earnings surprise history. The company beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the prior four quarters, the average being 67.6%.

Let’s see how things are shaping up for this announcement.

Which Way are Estimates Treading?

Let’s look at the estimate revisions to get a clear picture of what analysts are thinking about the company before earnings release.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate of 79 cents for fourth-quarter earnings has seen oneupward but no downward revision by firms in the past seven days. The figure reflects year-over-year rise of 4%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $1.22 billion for the impending quarter, indicating a rise of 7.6% year over year.

Earnings Whispers

Our proven model does not show that EQT is likely to beat earnings this quarter. That is because a stock needs to have a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. That is not the case here as you will see below.

Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP for the company is 0.00%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate are pegged at 79 cents. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: EQT carries a Zacks Rank #3.

Please note that we caution investors against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Sell Rated) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.

Factors at Play

Per the Zacks Consensus Estimate, average daily sales volume is pegged at 4,178 million cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfe/d), reflecting a rise from 4,068 MMcfe/d in the preceding quarter and 3,200 MMcfe/d in the year-ago quarter. The upside can be attributed to the higher level of activities.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for oil sales volume is at 159 thousand barrels, indicating a drop from 231 thousand barrels in the last reported quarter and 162 thousand barrels in the prior-year quarter.

Moreover, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for natural gas volumes is pegged at 357 billion cubic feet (Bcf), up from 266 Bcf recorded in the prior quarter and 350 Bcf in the year-ago quarter.

Additionally, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in the Production segment is pegged at $196 million, reflecting a fall from $267 million in the year-ago quarter.

Other Stocks to Consider

Here are some companies from the energy space that have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat.

Headquartered in Houston, TX, Sunoco L.P (NYSE:SUN) operates as a wholesale fuel distributor. The company has an Earnings ESP of +26.9% and sports a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Ensco plc (NYSE:ESV) is a leading supplier of offshore contract drilling services to the oil and gas industry. The company has an Earnings ESP of +2.6% and carries a Zacks Rank #3.

Based in Houston, TX, Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE:SWN) engages in the exploration, development and production of natural gas as well as crude oil in the United States. The company has an Earnings ESP of +1% and holds a Zacks Rank #3.

Is Your Investment Advisor Fumbling Your Financial Future?

See how you can more effectively safeguard your retirement with a new Special Report, “4 Warning Signs Your Investment Advisor Might Be Sabotaging Your Financial Future.”

Click to get it free >>