Earnings are arguably the most important single number on a company's quarterly financial report. Wall Street clearly dives into all of the other metrics and management's input, but the EPS figure helps cut through all the noise.

We know earnings results are vital, but how a company performs compared to bottom line expectations can be even more important when it comes to stock prices, especially in the near-term. This means that investors might want to take advantage of these earnings surprises.

2 Stocks to Add to Your Watchlist

The Zacks Earnings ESP is more formally known as the Expected Surprise Prediction, and it aims to grab the inside track on the latest analyst estimate revisions ahead of a company's report. The idea is relatively intuitive as a newer projection might be based on more complete information. The ESP is calculated by comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the percentage difference between the two giving us the Zacks ESP figure.

The final step today is to look at a stock that meets our ESP qualifications. Tyson Foods (TSN) earns a Zacks Rank #2 four days from its next quarterly earnings release on February 3, 2025, and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $0.82 a share.

TSN has an Earnings ESP figure of 3.36%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $0.82 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.79.

TSN is part of a big group of Consumer Staples stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Molson Coors Brewing (TAP) as well.

Molson Coors Brewing is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, and is getting ready to report earnings on February 13, 2025. TAP's Most Accurate Estimate sits at $1.13 a share 14 days from its next earnings release.

Molson Coors Brewing's Earnings ESP figure currently stands at 0.41% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.13.

TSN and TAP's positive ESP metrics may signal that a positive earnings surprise for both stocks is on the horizon.

Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're Reported

Use the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>

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Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Molson Coors Beverage Company (TAP) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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