AVP Avon Products Inc

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – February 13, 2012 – Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This week’s list includes EOG Resources ( EOG), Deere ( DE), Ventas ( VTR), Avon Products ( AVP) and Host Hotels ( HST). To see more earnings analysis, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=3207.

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Housing and Inflation in the Spotlight

Earnings season will be still going on this next week. 422 firms are scheduled to report, and 50 of those are members of the S&P 500.  By the end of the week we will be over 80% done with earnings season.

It will also be a busy week for economic data.  Key reports include Retail Sales, Industrial Production, two regional “mini ISM’s,” Housing Starts and inflation -- both on the Producer and the Consumer levels.

Potential Positive or Negative Surprises

The best indicators of firms likely to report positive surprises are a recent history of positive surprises and rising estimates going into the report. The Zacks Rank is also a good indicator of potential surprises. Similarly, a recent history of earnings disappointments, cuts in the average estimate for the quarter in the month before the report is due and a poor Zacks Rank (#4 or #5) are often red flags pointing to a potential disappointing earnings report.

Potential Positive Surprises:

• EOG Resources ( EOG) is expected to earn $0.86, up from $0.36 a year ago.  Last time out, it had a positive surprise of 2.47%, and over the last four weeks analysts have raised their estimates for the quarter by 5.84%.  EOG is a Zacks #2 Rank stock.
• Deere ( DE) is expected to earn $1.23, up from $1.20 a year ago.  Last time out, it had a positive surprise of 12.50%, and over the last four weeks analysts have raised their estimates for the quarter by 0.54%.  DE is a Zacks #2 Rank stock.
• Ventas ( VTR) is expected to earn $0.89, up from $0.77 a year ago.  Last time out, it had a positive surprise of 8.64%, and over the last four weeks analysts have raised their estimates for the quarter by 0.26%.  VTR is a Zacks #2 Rank stock.

Potential Negative Surprises:

• Avon Products ( AVP) is expected to earn $0.51, down from $0.59 a year ago.  Last time out, it had a negative surprise of 17.39%, and over the last four weeks analysts have cut their estimates for the quarter by 1.82%.  AVP is a Zacks #4 Rank stock.
• Host Hotels ( HST) is expected to earn $0.30, up from $0.26 a year ago.  Last time out, it had a negative surprise of 5.88%, and over the last four weeks analysts have slashed their estimates for the quarter by 0.39%.  HST is a Zacks #4 Rank stock.

Dirk Van Dijk, CFA, is the Chief Equity Strategist for Zacks.com.

About the Zacks Rank

Since 1988, the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Since inception in 1988, #1 Rank Stocks have generated an average annual return of +28%. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%, while the S&P 500 tumbled -37.6%. Also note that the Zacks Rank system has just as many Strong Sell recommendations (Rank #5) as Strong Buy recommendations (Rank #1). Since 1988, Zacks Rank #5 stocks have significantly underperformed the S&P 500 (+3% versus +10%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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Contact: Dirk Van Dijk, CFA
Company: Zacks.com
Phone: 312-265-9211
Email: pr@zacks.com
Visit: www.Zacks.com

 
AVON PRODS INC (AVP): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
DEERE & CO (DE): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
EOG RES INC (EOG): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
HOST HOTEL&RSRT (HST): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
VENTAS INC (VTR): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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