Amtech Systems (ASYS) reported break-even quarterly earnings per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.04. This compares to loss of $0.18 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 100%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this provider of equipment for solar panel and semiconductor makers would post a loss of $0.05 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.08, delivering a surprise of 260%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.
Amtech
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Amtech shares have added about 39.3% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 27.7%.
What's Next for Amtech?
While Amtech has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Amtech: mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is -$0.01 on $23.5 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $0.20 on $110 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Semiconductor - General is currently in the top 24% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector, Electrovaya Inc. (ELVA), has yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2024. The results are expected to be released on December 12.
This company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.01 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -150%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Electrovaya Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $12.09 million, up 1.2% from the year-ago quarter.
Should You Invest in Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS)?
Before you invest in Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.
Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)
Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Electrovaya Inc. (ELVA) : Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.