Looking for Earnings Beat? Buy These 5 Top-Ranked Stocks

Investors often position ahead of earnings because a company can report growth yet fall if it misses expectations. Wall Street estimates incorporate analyst analysis and company guidance, while seasonal patterns can distort comparisons. A sizable surprise may lift shares, and a consistent history of beats can indicate execution strength. The screen required a last-quarter EPS surprise of at least 10%, average surprises above 20% over the past four quarters and above 20% over the past two quarters. It also required a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2, positive Earnings ESP, estimated annual EPS growth above 10% over the next three to five years and average 20-day volume above 100,000. Zacks says a positive Earnings ESP must accompany a Rank of 1, 2 or 3 for a beat. The filters reduced more than 7,700 stocks to 16. Centene (CNC), a national healthcare-services leader, has Rank 1 and a 151.28% four-quarter average surprise. Tenet Healthcare (THC), also Rank 1, operates general hospitals and related facilities serving urban and rural communities across numerous states, with offices in California and Florida; its average surprise was 22.70%. Fortinet (FTNT), Rank 1, leads cybersecurity through networking-security convergence and posted a 20.34% average surprise. Unity Software (U), Rank 2, provides a platform for games and interactive 3D experiences across mobile, PC, console and extended reality; its average surprise was 12.54%. Goldman Sachs (GS), Rank 1, provides investment banking, securities, investment management and consumer banking services; its average surprise was 20.42%.