Earnings Forecasts: Impact on Major Companies' Stock Prices

A recent report outlines expected earnings releases from leading companies. With a mix of positive and negative EPS forecasts, companies like Accenture, Cintas, Paychex, and others could see stock price fluctuations based on their performance relative to analysts' projections.

Date: 22-12-2024

AI Rating: 5

The report highlights the upcoming earnings reports for multiple S&P 500 companies, focusing on their expected earnings per share (EPS) and year-over-year changes.

Accenture plc (ACN) is expected to report EPS of $3.38, representing a 3.36% increase compared to the prior year. Despite missing the consensus EPS in Q2 2024 by -0.32%, its higher Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio of 28.13 suggests anticipated growth relative to industry peers (19.50).

Cintas Corporation (CTAS) is forecasted to report EPS of $1.01, a 12.22% increase from last year. Consistently beating expectations, this company also has a significantly high P/E of 49.26 compared to the industry ratio of 15.60, indicating strong growth prospects.

Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) expects earnings of $1.12, with a 3.70% increase year-over-year. Like Cintas, Paychex has consistently exceeded expectations and shows a higher P/E of 28.17, above its industry average of 15.80.

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI)'s EPS is forecast at $2.05, reflecting an 11.41% rise from the prior year. However, its P/E of 17.47 is much lower than the industry average of 80.90, suggesting caution regarding growth expectations.

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) projects an EPS of $4.30, which is a 4.37% increase year-over-year, with a P/E of 28.42, slightly above its industry's 27.70.

ConAgra Brands, Inc. (CAG) anticipates an EPS of $0.68, down 4.23% compared to last year, having missed expectations in previous quarters. Its P/E of 10.81 is below the industry average of 22.20, indicating weaker growth prospects.

CarMax Inc (KMX) expects an EPS of $0.61, a significant 17.31% increase. With a high P/E of 27.61 compared to its industry's 12.70, there are positive growth prospects.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW) is forecasting an EPS of $1.02, down 29.66%, raising concerns about its performance, especially with a P/E of 19.42 against the industry's 22.20.

FuelCell Energy, Inc. (FCEL) anticipates a loss of $1.64 for its EPS, though it shows a year-over-year improvement. However, its negative P/E (-1.46) suggests significant challenges ahead.

Stocks: ACN CTAS PAYX DRI FDS CAG KMX LW FCEL