Investing

Top 6 Earnings for the Week Ahead

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24/7 Wall St. has put together a preview of some of the major companies reporting their quarterly results this week. We have included the consensus earnings estimates from Thomson Reuters and the stock price and trading history, as well as added some additional color on each.

Be advised that the earnings and revenue estimates may change ahead of the formal reports, and some companies may change reporting dates as well.

Duke Energy

On Tuesday, Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK) will share its most recent quarterly results. The consensus estimates call for earnings per share (EPS) of $1.14 and $6.05 billion in revenue. Duke has solid fundamentals. The company’s rate base growth over the next four to five years is expected to be above the peer-group average, which should drive long-term earnings and cash flow growth. Other positives include the company’s improving balance sheet, generally positive relationship with state regulators, operating efficiencies and well-managed nuclear-generating assets.

Shares were trading at $78.78 on Friday’s close, in a 52-week trading range of $65.50 to $81.39. The stock has a consensus analyst price target of $79.53.

Pfizer

Look for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) to report its first-quarter results on Tuesday as well. The consensus analyst estimates call for $0.55 in EPS and revenue of $12.00 billion. Pfizer is a top global pharmaceutical pick at Jefferies. It has a very strong pipeline, and being the world’s largest drug manufacturer by sales value supports the Wall Street notion that the company can generate higher long-term revenues through the accelerated growth of its new drugs over the next five years.

Shares of Pfizer ended last week at $32.71 apiece. The consensus price target is $37.90. The 52-week range is $28.25 to $36.46.


Tesla Motors

The latest quarterly earnings report from Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) is expected on Wednesday. The consensus estimates call for a net loss of $0.57 per share and $1.60 billion in revenue. This company has faced production shortfalls and cost overruns over the past 18 months, but one key analyst believes that the company has made progress in addressing these issues and that it is poised for much stronger performance in the coming quarters. Looking ahead, the independent research firm Argus expects Tesla to meet or exceed its production targets and to achieve positive cash flow in the first quarter of 2016.

Shares of Tesla were changing hands at $240.76 on Friday’s close, in a 52-week range of $141.05 to $286.65. The consensus price target is $245.13.

Alibaba

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE: BABA) is set to report its fiscal fourth-quarter results on Thursday. The consensus estimates call for EPS of $3.63 and $23.11 billion in revenue. Alibaba is the largest online and mobile commerce company as measured by gross merchandise volume, and it had the highest profile initial public offering (IPO) of 2014. The stock has acted horribly since, printing highs at $120 in mid-November of 2014.

Shares of Alibaba traded at $76.94 as last week came to a close. The consensus price target is $91.06, and the stock has a 52-week range of $57.20 to $95.06.

Chesapeake Energy

Also on Thursday, Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) is set to share its latest quarterly results. The consensus estimates call for a net loss of $0.10 in EPS on $2.55 billion in revenue. After catching a break on its credit agreement terms earlier this month, Chesapeake was raised to Hold from Sell at Tudor Pickering at that time. And this may seem unenthusiastic, but this does at least remove one more of the most negative sell ratings on Wall Street.

Shares of Chesapeake Energy were at $6.87 on Friday’s close, in a 52-week range of $1.50 to $16.98. The consensus price target is $4.12.

Merck

The first-quarter report Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) is scheduled for Thursday. The consensus estimates call for $0.85 in EPS, as well as $9.47 billion in revenue. This leading health care stock is on the focus lists of many Wall Street firms. Merck sells numerous prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and consumer care and animal health products to customers in more than 140 countries. It is the world’s fourth-biggest drugmaker by revenue and boosted its annual profit forecast earlier this year.

Shares closed trading at $54.84 on Friday. The consensus price target is $61.65. The 52-week trading range is $45.69 to $61.70.

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