Will Navient's (NAVI) Q2 Earnings Disappoint Investors?

Navient Corporation (NASDAQ:NAVI) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2017 results on Jul 18, after the market closes. Both revenues and earnings are expected to decline on a year-over-year basis.

The company boasts a weak surprise history. Navient lagged earnings estimates in two of the trailing four quarters, with an average negative surprise of 2.5%.

In the prior-year quarter, the company missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate mainly due to lower net interest income. However, lower provision for credit losses and reduced expenses were the tailwinds.

Navient Corporation Price and EPS Surprise

Factors to Influence Q2 Results

Expenses Likely to Increase: The company’s aim to defend itself against the student loan misconduct case filed against it is likely to increase legal expenses.

Easing Margin Pressure: Owing to the recent interest rate hikes, we expect margin pressure to ease in the second quarter. However, lower treasury yields might offset the benefit slightly.

Benefits from New Acquisitions of Student Loans: The student loans market has turned into one of the biggest consumer debt markets of the nation. Though conditions in the financial markets have been challenging lately, Navient’s seeks to acquire student loan portfolios, both Federally Guaranteed Student Loans as well as Private Education Loans, such as JPMorgan’s educational loan portfolio. These consistent efforts should lend some support to the quarterly results.

Earnings Whispers

Our proven model doesn’t conclusively show that Navient will be able to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate this time around, as it does not have the right combination of two key components. Note that a stock with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or at least 3 (Hold) has significantly higher chances of beating estimates.

Zacks ESP: The Earnings ESP for Navient is -2.38%. This is because the Most Accurate estimate of 41 cents is below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 42 cents.

You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: Navient currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

We caution investors against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Strong Sell) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is witnessing negative estimate revisions.

Further, for the to-be-reported quarter, the analysts have also depicted a pessimistic stance on Navient. In the last seven days, its Zacks Consensus Estimate has declined 2.3%.

Stocks that Warrant a Look

Here are some stocks worth considering in the finance space, as they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE:CMA) has an Earnings ESP of +4.67% and a Zacks Rank #2. It is slated to report second-quarter results on Jul 18. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Fifth Third Bancorp’s (NASDAQ:FITB) Earnings ESP is +2.38% and it carries a Zacks Rank #3. The company is expected to release second-quarter results on Jul 21.

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ:HBAN) has an Earnings ESP of +4.35% and a Zacks Rank #3. It is scheduled to report second-quarter results on Jul 21.

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