Will Comcast Top The Whisper Number This Quarter?

Comcast (CMCSA) is expected to report earnings tomorrow before market open. The whisper number is $0.61, one cent behind the analysts' estimates and showing no confidence from the WhisperNumber community.

A year ago the company reported earnings of $0.49, one cent ahead of the whisper number. Comcast has a 67% positive surprise history (having topped the whisper in 31 of the 46 earnings reports for which we have data).

Earnings history:

  •  Beat whisper: 31 qtrs
  •  Met whisper: 2 qtrs
  •  Missed whisper: 13 qtrs

Our primary focus is on post earnings price movement. Knowing how likely a stock's price will move following an earnings report can help you determine the best action to take (long or short). In other words, we analyze what happens when the company beats or misses the whisper number expectation.

The table below indicates the average post earnings price movement within a one and thirty trading day timeframe:

The strongest price movement of +1.7% comes within thirty trading days when the company reports earnings that beat the whisper number, and -4.7% within twenty trading days when the company reports earnings that miss the whisper number. While the strongest price moves are as expected, the overall average post earnings price move is 'negative' (beat the whisper number and see weakness, miss and see weakness) when the company reports earnings.

The table below indicates the most recent earnings reports and short-term price reaction:

The company has reported earnings ahead of the whisper number in all of the past four quarters with a whisper number. In the comparable quarter last year the company reported earnings one cent ahead of the whisper number. Following that report the stock realized a 2.3% loss in one trading day.

Last quarter the company reported earnings one cent ahead of the whisper number. Following that report the stock realized a 1.1% loss in one trading day, before turning and seeing a 7.5% gain in ten trading days. Overall historical data indicates the company to be (on average within thirty trading days) a 'negative' price reactor when the company reports earnings.

Enter your expectations, view our free earnings calendar, and check out post earnings price moves here

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