The Zacks investment management industry, part of the broader Finance sector, performed decently over the past several quarters. However, the trend seems to have picked up pace to some extent in the first quarter on the back of improved domestic growth environment.
The companies that have reported first-quarter 2018 earnings so far witnessed growth in their trading revenues due to increased volatility in the quarter. However, dismal overall investment banking activities remained a drag.
The Investment managers’ earnings are expected to get support from rising interest rates and lower tax. Also, the quarter witnessed investors’ anxiety on uncertainty over the number of rate hikes on upbeat economic numbers and rising inflation, along with President Trump’s trade-tariff announcements on Chinese imports. This led to increased volatility, which indicates higher trading activities and increased trading revenues.
Apart from this, the global M&A activity increased in the quarter. Per the Thomson Reuters data, the total deal value of announced M&As globally rose during the quarter. Also, strong equity issuances globally might have gotten a boost from IPOs and follow-on offerings. Hence, the related fees are projected to increase.
However, debt underwriting remained disappointing as rising rates limit corporates’ involvement in these activities. Thus, overall investment banking income is likely to witness a decline. Also, increased spending in technology is expected to keep costs up, in turn, hurting the investment managers’ bottom line.
Per the latest Earnings Preview, overall earnings for the finance sector are expected to grow 27% year over year on revenue growth of 5.4%.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the investment management stocks that are scheduled to announce first-quarter results on Apr 26.
Franklin Resources (NYSE:BEN) is slated to report before the opening bell. The company is likely to record a fall in assets under management (AUM) in the to-be-reported quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total AUM is expected to decline 1.2% year over year to $745 million.
Thus, due to decrease in AUM and lower sales and distribution fees (the Zacks Consensus Estimate is $417 million, reflecting a fall of 3.2% from the prior-year quarter), Franklin’s revenues are likely to decline. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales of $1.6 billion indicates a year-over-year increase of 0.86%.
However, earnings are projected to rise year over year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of 75 cents indicates a 1.35% jump from the year-ago quarter.
(Read more: Will Lower AUM Drag Down Franklin's Earnings in Q2?)
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Notably, this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) stock has a decent earnings surprise history, with an average positive surprise of 8.34% in the trailing four quarters.
Franklin Resources, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ) , carrying a Zacks Rank of 4, is scheduled to release results before the market opens. Driven by unfavorable market returns and net long-term outflows, the company is expected to record a fall in AUM. Also, Invesco’s expenses in the quarter are likely to witness a marginal increase, mainly due to higher compensation expenses.
However, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales for the to-be-reported quarter is $1.37 billion, which is projected to witness growth of 14.6%. Also, earnings are projected to rise year over year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of 67 cents indicates 9.8% rise from the prior-year quarter.
(Read more: Why is an Earnings Beat Less Likely for Invesco in Q1?)
Further, Invesco has an impressive earnings surprise history. Its earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 6.4%.
Invesco Ltd. Price and EPS Surprise
Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:PFG) is set to report results after the market closes. The company’s fee-based revenue sources coupled with rise in investment income might drive revenues. Also, AUM is expected to improve owing to better performance in asset management and asset accumulation segments.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $3.54 billion, reflecting a 15.5% year-over-year increase. Also, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings of $1.35 shows a 6.3% year-over-year rise.
Principal Financial’s earnings surprise history is decent. Its earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 0.5%. The stock has a Zacks Rank of 4.
Principal Financial Group, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Federated Investors (NYSE:FII) is set to announce its results after the market closes. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of 66 cents for the company for the upcoming release indicates a year-over-year increase of about 35%.
Further, Federated is anticipated to record an increase in revenues. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales of $279.9 million indicates around 2.3% growth from the prior-year quarter.
The company recorded positive earnings surprises in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 4.83%. The stock has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
Federated Investors, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
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Invesco Ltd. (IVZ): Free Stock Analysis Report
Federated Investors, Inc. (FII): Free Stock Analysis Report
Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN): Free Stock Analysis Report
Principal Financial Group, Inc. (PFG): Free Stock Analysis Report
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Zacks Investment Research