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Will AmerisourceBergen (ABC) Beat Earnings Estimates?

AmerisourceBergen (ABC) is set to report fiscal second quarter 2014 results on Apr 24, 2014.

Last quarter, AmerisourceBergen reported a 1.27% positive surprise. AmerisourceBergen has delivered positive earnings surprises in two of the last four quarters with an average beat of 1.11%.

Factors at Play

Revenues grew 38.5% to $29.2 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 due to the on boarding of the brand distribution business at Walgreens (WAG).

AmerisourceBergen had entered into a strategic agreement with Walgreen and Alliance Boots GmbH in fiscal 2013.The agreement includes a ten-year pharmaceutical distribution contract with Walgreen and access to generic drugs and related pharmaceutical products through the Walgreens Boots Alliance Development joint venture. We believe the distribution deal with Walgreens will positively impact results in fiscal 2014.

However, operating margin is projected to be under pressure in 2014 due to revenue mix shift to lower margin business and on boarding of Walgreens contract. Operating expenses are also estimated to increase as the company continues to invest in its core drug business to support substantial volume growth and maintain high service levels.

Earnings Whispers?

Our proven model does not conclusively show that AmerisourceBergen is likely to beat earnings this quarter. That is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank of #1, 2 or 3 for this to happen. That is not the case here as you will see below.

Zacks ESP: The ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is 0.00%. This is because both the Most Accurate Estimate and Zacks Consensus Estimate currently stand at $1.00.

Zacks Rank #2 (Buy): AmerisourceBergen’s Zacks Rank #2 when combined with a 0.00% ESP makes surprise prediction difficult.

We caution against stocks with Zacks Ranks #4 and #5 (Sell-rated stocks) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions momentum.

Other Stocks to Consider

Here are some other companies you may want to consider as our model shows that they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter:

Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY) has an Earnings ESP of +4.29% and holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Eli Lilly will report first quarter earnings on Apr 24.

Actavis plc (ACT) has an Earnings ESP of +3.34% and holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Actavis will report first quarter earnings on Apr 30.

Read the Full Research Report on ABC
Read the Full Research Report on ACT
Read the Full Research Report on LLY
Read the Full Research Report on WAG


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