A handful of stocks that are on deck to report earnings have historically surpassed Wall Street estimates and seen shares move the day they report. Investors are closely watching the third-quarter earnings season. The 24% of S & P 500 companies that have reported quarterly results have so far collectively notched roughly 2% earnings growth. Some of the biggest companies set to report next week include Meta Platforms and Mastercard . Despite the sluggish pace of earnings growth so far in the third quarter, some companies have historically outpaced analysts’ estimates and could help pick up the slack for the broader market. Against this backdrop, Bespoke Investment Group screened for stocks meeting the following criteria: Each company reports earnings next week. The stock typically beats analysts’ estimates 80% of the time or more. The stock has an average gain of 1.5% or more the day after reporting earnings. Here is a look at some of the companies that made the cut. Shares of Facebook parent Meta Platforms have surged nearly 60% in 2024, so it is a good thing Mark Zuckerberg’s company has historically surpassed analysts’ estimates 88% of the time. The stock has averaged a gain of more than 2% the day after each earnings report. META YTD mountain Meta Platforms stock. Almost nine in 10 analysts surveyed by FactSet, or 85%, have a buy rating on Meta, with consensus price targets implying about 8% upside in the coming year. The company has benefited from investor enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence, according to Bank of America, which reiterated its buy rating on Meta heading into quarterly results on Oct. 30. Analyst Justin Post wrote in a note on Tuesday that he expects stronger growth in revenue driven by advertising on Reels, fueled by artificial intelligence. Mastercard stock has advanced more than 20% in 2024. In the past, Mastercard earnings have topped Wall Street estimates 93% of the time, and its stock has gained roughly 2% the next trading day. MA YTD mountain Mastercard stock. Some 80% of analysts polled by FactSet maintain the equivalent of a buy rating on Mastercard, with the consensus price target calling for roughly 5% upside over the next 12 months. The payments processor is Morgan Stanley’s top pick, alongside Visa, in the industry. Analyst James Faucette said in an Oct. 16 note that Mastercard could continue to benefit from resilient consumer spending, and forecast double-digit earnings growth in the future. Other stocks that turned up on Bespoke’s screen included power generator manufacturer Generac and Trimble Inc. , a maker of applications using global positioning satellite navigation.
