We expect Exelon Corporation (NYSE:EXC) to beat expectations when it reports second-quarter 2016 results before the market opens on Aug 9. Last quarter, this diverse utility reported a positive earnings surprise of 3.03%.
Why a Likely Positive Surprise?
Our proven model shows that Exelon is likely to beat estimates because it has the right combination of two key ingredients. A stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), #2 (Buy) or #3 (Hold) to be able to beat estimates, and Exelon has the right mix.
Zacks ESP: The Earnings ESP which represents the difference between the Most Accurate estimate of 57 cents and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 56 cents is +1.79%. This is a meaningful and leading indicator of a likely positive surprise.
Zacks Rank: Exelon currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. The combination of Exelon’s favorable Zacks Rank and positive ESP makes us reasonably confident of a positive surprise this season.
Conversely, we caution against Sell-rated stocks (#4 or #5) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.
Factors to Consider
For the second quarter of 2016, Exelon expects earnings per share to be in the range of 50–60 cents compared with 59 cents in the year-ago quarter. We expect this utility to expand its customer base in the to-be-reported quarter.
The company is well poised to benefit from the increase in power prices and warmer-than-normal temperatures during the second quarter.
Other Utility Releases
American Electric Power Co., Inc. (NYSE:AEP) reported second-quarter 2016 operating earnings of 95 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 90 cents by 5.6%.
NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) reported second-quarter 2016 adjusted earnings of $1.67 per share, outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.58 by 5.7%.
Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE:DUK) reported second-quarter 2016 adjusted earnings of $1.07 per share that came in above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.01 by 5.9%
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AMER ELEC PWR (AEP): Free Stock Analysis Report
EXELON CORP (EXC): Free Stock Analysis Report
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