What to Expect From Companies Reporting Thursday

January 11, 2017 by Chris Lange

The Trump rally has helped push the broad markets to new highs, and with earnings season kicking off on Friday, we can see what this rally is made of. In the meantime there are a couple of other companies reporting ahead of this that might give some insight on what is to come.

Separately, 24/7 Wall St. has put together a preview of the major banks reporting this week that are kicking off the earnings seasons.

Here, we have included the consensus earnings estimates from Thomson Reuters and the stock price and trading history, as well as some additional color on each.

Keep in mind that the earnings and revenue estimates may change ahead of the formal reports, and some companies may reschedule reporting dates as well.

First, Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) is scheduled to report its fiscal fourth-quarter financial results before the markets open on Thursday. The consensus estimates from Thomson Reuters call for $0.82 in earnings per share (EPS) and $9.37 billion in revenue. The same period of last year reportedly had EPS of $1.18 and $9.5 billion in revenue.

Wall Street analysts have long lauded Delta for the most extensive hedging policy among the airlines, and it owns and operates a refinery in addition to a sizable hedging book. Merrill Lynch has noted that while the stock has underperformed the broad markets over the past year, if bookings and the economy spike in 2017, the company’s stock multiple stands to benefit the most among the major carriers.

Shares of Delta were trading on Wednesday at $51.14, with a consensus analyst price target of $59.07 and a 52-week trading range of $32.60 to $52.76.

The fiscal second-quarter earnings report from FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL) is set for release before the opening bell as well. The consensus estimates predic a net loss of $0.37 per share and revenue of $23.6 million. In the same period of last year, FuelCell reported a net loss of $0.38 per share and $51.45 million in revenue.

Recently, FuelCell announced the acquisition of an operating megawatt-class fuel cell project that generates in excess of 11 million kilowatt hours annually. The installation has been operating for roughly five years, with the owner selling power and steam to Central Connecticut State University under a multiyear power purchase agreement. FuelCell captures recurring and predictable monthly electricity sales by acquiring the project. Although this will not have a significant impact on the earnings report, it will play a role for FuelCell’s operations going forward in 2017.

Shares of Fuelcell were last seen at $1.90. The consensus price target is $3.63, and the 52-week range is $1.60 to $8.88.

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