The Top 14 Earnings to Watch This Week

October 21, 2013 by Jon C. Ogg

The S&P 500 Index is hitting all-time highs and we are now deep into earnings season. This week will mark the second week of the earnings floodgates being open. 24/7 Wall St. has decided to offer an earnings preview cheat sheet for readers for what it deems the top remaining earnings for the week ahead.

Estimates have been compiled from Thomson Reuters for consensus earnings per share (EPS) and revenues, as well as for the consensus analyst price target calculated on a mean basis. We have also added in color on each, but due to Washington’s closure and there being three weeks in the dark, we have not included guidance for the fourth quarter of 2013 nor any preliminary 2014 outlooks.

Be advised that some of these estimates almost certainly will change, especially for those companies reporting later in the week. These are the top 14 earnings remaining for the week ahead. Oil names are included in a separate preview, although J.P. Morgan just forecast strong integrated oil earnings reports.

Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is set to report Monday after the close. This is becoming the largest alternative media player that made it to mainstream. Shares closed at $333.50 on Friday, and the consensus price target is all the way down at about $250. Netflix now has a $20 billion market cap. As of Monday morning, this stock traded at more than 200-times expected 2013 earnings and 100-times expected 2014 earnings. Analysts have the Netflix consensus estimates as $0.49 earnings per share (EPS) and $1.1 billion in revenue. Netflix recently guided subscriber growth to 30.5 million to 31.3 million total and 29.4 million to 30.1 million paid for this past quarter.

DuPont, or E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. (NYSE: DD), reports Tuesday morning. This was surprising to see on the list of the best-performing DJIA stocks of 2013. That means the bar has to be set high. At $59.62 as of Friday’s closing bell, its consensus price target is about $1 less than the current price. DuPont’s consensus estimates are $0.41 EPS and $7.78 billion in revenue.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) reports after the close on Tuesday, and this could easily set the tone for how biotech stocks will get treated in the next two weeks when they report earnings. At $114.92 as of Friday’s close, its consensus price target is $115.68. This sector has outperformed handily in 2013, so watch closely. Amgen’s consensus earnings estimates are $1.79 per share on $4.6 billion in revenue.

United Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UTX) reports Tuesday morning, and the DJIA component and conglomerate closed at $107.74 on Friday. The 52-week high is $112.46, and the consensus price target is $116.65 on last look. Consensus estimates for United Technologies are $1.54 EPS and $16.18 billion in revenue.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) reports on Wednesday morning before the open. This has lagged Verizon and was among the worst performing DJIA stocks of 2013, but Barron’s recently said that AT&T could really recapture investor interest again and maybe see its shares rise to $40, against a close on Friday of $34.61. Analysts have a consensus price target of $36.92, and the 52-week high is $39.00. Also do not forget that AT&T is the king of DJIA dividend yields, up at 5.2%. The consensus estimates are $0.65 EPS and $32.2 billion in revenue.

Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) reports on Wednesday morning before the open, and it has been one of the best DJIA stocks of 2013. We even pointed out how the upside from the 787 and other initiatives could make Boeing one of the most important DJIA stocks for the bull market ahead. Its close on Friday was $122.52, with a new high recently hit just above that closing price. Its consensus price target is $130.09. Boeing’s consensus estimates for the most recent quarter are $1.55 EPS and $21.68 billion in revenue.

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) reports Wednesday morning. The bias here is that the bar has been set very low and it was one of the worst performing DJIA stocks of 2013. China and emerging market demand for mining and other huge projects is dragging the company down. At $87.34 as of Friday’s close, it has a 52-week high of $99.70. The consensus price target is down to $92.18. The consensus estimates are $1.67 EPS and $14.3 billion in revenue, which are down handily from $2.54 EPS and $16.44 billion in sales for the same quarter of 2012.

Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO) reports on Thursday after the close, and this stock has continued to remain relevant. Its most recent closing price was $35.85, its 52-week high is $37.61, its consensus price target is $38.00 and its dividend yield is now about 5.4%. The consensus estimates are $0.64 EPS and $4.53 billion in revenue.

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) may have been deemed irrelevant to the next generation, but its stock is still somehow up at almost $35.00. We would point out that the consensus price target is down at $34.76, even if the year high is $36.43. Maybe we will hear more on the new CEO search, and maybe not. Microsoft’s consensus estimates are $0.54 EPS and $17.78 billion in revenue, although the weakness around PC sales and Windows-based smartphones and tablets are all acting to keep expectations soft for Mister Softy.

Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) reports after the close on Thursday. The online retailer of anything and everything continues to get away with reporting margins that are so thin that they are barely visible. Jeff Bezos has kept laughing all the way to the bank here. Shares were at $328.93 as of Friday’s close, the 52-week high is $331.89 and the consensus price target from analysts is $336.35. The Amazon consensus estimates are calling for a loss from operations of $0.09 per share and $16.77 billion in revenue.

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) is reporting earnings early Thursday morning. As the sole non-bailout automaker, it is more closely watched than GM. Ford closed at $17.53 on Friday, its 52-week high is $17.55 and its consensus analyst price target is $19.13. Shares are challenging 10-year highs. The consensus estimates are $0.37 EPS and $34.21 billion in revenue.

3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) is another DJIA conglomerate reporting earnings, due out on Thursday morning. 3M shares have been performing handily, but the stock has caught up to a full valuation, unless it can do well enough that it drives guidance and earnings estimates higher. At $122.84 as of Friday’s close, its 52-week and all-time high is $123.45, and the consensus analyst price target is $122.60. Estimates for 3M are $1.75 EPS and $7.85 billion in revenue.

Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) is the final DJIA stock on the list, and the consumer products giant is reporting Thursday morning. Shares closed at $79.41 on Friday, the 52-week high is $82.54 and the consensus price target from analysts is $85.76. P&G has remained a bit stuck in the mud, as it is a defensive stock and as its business pressures remain. The consensus estimates are $1.05 EPS and $21.06 billion in revenue.

United Parcel Service Inc. (NYSE: UPS) reports earnings on Friday morning. We already have seen positive trends here with related earnings, and shares just hit a new all-time high of $93.37 on Monday, against a consensus analyst price target of $96.14. The consensus estimates are $1.15 EPS and $13.6 billion in revenue.

Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With A Financial Advisor (Sponsored)

Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the
advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Take the retirement quiz right here.