Credit: Shutterstock photoChesapeake Utilities CorporationCPK is set to report fourth-quarter 2018 results on Feb 26, before the opening bell. In the las t report ed quarter, the company recorded a negative earnings surprise of 29.17%.
Let's see how things are shaping up prior to the announcement.
Factors to Consider
Chesapeake Utilities is expected to benefit from the new PPC New Smyrna Beach Pipeline that was placed in full service during the fourth quarter. However, Hurricane Michael impacted the company's operation in northwest Florida. This, in turn, might dent its fourth-quarter earnings by 1-3 cents per share.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total revenues in the quarter to be reported is pegged at $186 million, reflecting a 3.3% year-over-year increase. The consensus mark for earnings is pegged at $1.22 per share, representing a 31.2% rise from the year-ago period.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Quote
Earnings Whispers
Our proven model does not conclusively predict a positive earnings surprise for Chesapeake Utilities in the quarter to be reported. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a favorable Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. That is not the case here as you will see below. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here .
Earnings ESP : Chesapeake Utilities has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% as the Most Accurate Estimate matches the Zacks Consensus Estimate. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter .
Zacks Rank : The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3, which, when combined with a 0.00% ESP, makes surprise prediction difficult and uncertain.
We caution against Sell-rated stocks (#4 or 5) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.
Stocks to Consider
Investors can consider the following stocks from the Zacks Utilities sector that have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this time around.
Sempra Energy SRE is expected to release fourth-quarter 2018 results on Feb 26. The company has an Earnings ESP of +2.39% and a Zacks Rank of 3.
PNM Resources, Inc. PNM has an Earnings ESP of +13.43% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is expected to report fourth-quarter 2018 results on Feb 27.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. PCG is expected to announce fourth-quarter 2018 results on Feb 28. This Zacks #3 Ranked player has an Earnings ESP of +3.23%.
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PNM Resources, Inc. (Holding Co.) (PNM): Free Stock Analysis Report
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PCG): Free Stock Analysis Report
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK): Free Stock Analysis Report
Sempra Energy (SRE): Free Stock Analysis Report
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
