Cisco Earnings: What To Expect

Cisco (CSCO) is expected to report earnings today after market close. The whisper number is $0.74, two cents ahead of the analysts' estimates and showing some confidence from the WhisperNumber community.

(Click on image to enlarge)

A year ago the company reported earnings of $0.63, three cents ahead of the whisper number. Cisco has a 57% positive surprise history (having topped the whisper in 44 of the 77 earnings reports for which we have data).

Earnings history:

  •  Beat whisper: 44 qtrs
  •  Met whisper: 2 qtrs
  •  Missed whisper: 31 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:

(Click on image to enlarge)

The strongest price movement of -1.0% comes within twenty trading days when the company reports earnings that beat the whisper number, and -0.6% within five trading days when the company reports earnings that miss the whisper number. 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:

(Click on image to enlarge)

The company has reported earnings ahead of the whisper number in two of the past four quarters with a whisper number. In the comparable quarter last year the company reported earnings three cents ahead of the whisper number. Following that report, the stock realized a 4.7% loss in five trading days. Last quarter the company reported earnings five cents ahead of the whisper number. Following that report, the stock realized a 4.1% loss in five 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.

Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not ...

more
How did you like this article? Let us know so we can better customize your reading experience.

Comments

Leave a comment to automatically be entered into our contest to win a free Echo Show.
Or Sign in with
William K. 5 years ago Member's comment

I don't recall learning about a "whisper number" system back in economics 1, 2, or 3. Are folks afraid to speak out for fear of jinxing things? or just for fear. I see way more fear based choices than data based choices.