Yahoo Finance Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights: Apple, Eli Lilly and Crocs
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – May 17, 2024 – Today, Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights Apple AAPL, Eli Lilly LLY and Crocs CROX.
3 Stocks to Buy Following Positive Earnings Results
Earnings season continues to wind down, with the period reflecting positivity. We’ve heard from over 460 S&P 500 companies, with this week’s reporting docket primarily dominated by retail.
Total earnings for the S&P 500 members that have reported Q1 results are up +4.8% from the same period last year on +4.1% higher revenues. The earnings growth pace reflects an acceleration relative to other periods, undoubtedly a positive development.
Estimates for the coming 2024 Q2 cycle have been trending higher, reflecting optimism among analysts.
So far, several companies, including Apple, Eli Lilly and Crocs, have seen post-earnings positivity. Let’s take a closer look at each.
Apple
Concerning headline figures, the company posted a 1.3% beat relative to the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate and posted sales 1% ahead of expectations. It reflected the company’s fifth consecutive double-beat, owing to its ability to positively surprise investors.
Notably, the tech titan announced the biggest buyback in corporate history totaling $110 billion. Reflecting further positivity, Apple also unveiled a 4% boost to its quarterly payout, reflecting the 12th consecutive year of higher payouts.
Earnings expectations have increased since the release, reflecting analysts’ optimistic view.
The company’s growth profile remains positive, with current expectations alluding to a 7% pop in earnings on modestly higher sales in its current fiscal year (FY24). Peeking ahead to FY25, estimates allude to an additional 9.6% climb in earnings paired with a 5.5% sales bump.
Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly posted EPS of $2.58 and sales of $8.8 billion, reflecting growth rates of 46% and 26%, respectively. Revenue growth was driven by strong demand, causing LLY to up its full-year revenue guidance by $2 billion.
The revisions trend for its current fiscal year has been notably bullish, up 10% over the last year to $13.37 per share and suggesting 110% year-over-year growth. Sales growth is forecasted to be robust as well, with the current $43 billion estimate 26% higher than FY23.
Sales growth is forecasted to be robust as well, with the current $43 billion estimate 26% higher than FY23.
It’s worth noting that the company has increasingly rewarded its shareholders over the years, boasting a 15% five-year annualized dividend growth rate.
Crocs
Crocs continued its earnings positivity, posting a 34% beat relative to the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate and reporting sales 6% ahead of expectations. Impressively, the company has exceeded our consensus EPS estimate by an average of 17% across its last four quarterly releases.
Q1 revenue of $939 million grew 6% year-over-year, also reflecting a quarterly record. The company raised its adjusted EPS guidance following the favorable quarter, further showing positivity.
CROX shares have been notably strong in 2024, gaining 50% compared to the S&P500’s 12% gain. The stock is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Bottom Line
Overall, the 2024 Q1 earnings season has reflected positivity, underpinned by the technology sector’s strong growth.
And concerning positive surprises, all three stocks above delivered just that, also enjoying post-earnings buying pressure.
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Apple Inc. (AAPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Crocs, Inc. (CROX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
