What is a stock's earnings per share surprise?

@joelle 

A stock's earnings per share (EPS) surprise refers to the difference between the reported EPS and the consensus expectations of analysts.

When a company releases its earnings report, analysts predict the earnings per share based on various factors, such as revenue growth, operating expenses, and market trends. The consensus EPS estimate represents the average forecast made by analysts.

If a company's reported EPS exceeds the consensus estimate, it is considered an earnings surprise, indicating that the company performed better than expected. On the other hand, if the reported EPS falls short of the consensus estimate, it is considered a negative earnings surprise, indicating that the company underperformed compared to expectations.

EPS surprises can significantly impact the stock price, as they provide insights into a company's financial performance and potential future growth. Positive surprises may result in an increase in the stock price as investors react to the better-than-expected earnings, while negative surprises can lead to a decrease in the stock price as investors adjust their valuation based on the weaker-than-anticipated results.

@joelle 

A stock's earnings per share (EPS) surprise is the difference between the actual EPS reported by a company and the consensus forecast of analysts for that period.

EPS is a financial metric that represents the portion of a company's profit that is allocated to each outstanding share of common stock. It is calculated by dividing the company's net income by its total number of outstanding shares.

When a company reports its earnings, analysts provide estimates or consensus forecasts for the EPS based on their analysis of the company's financials, market conditions, and other factors. The EPS surprise occurs when the actual EPS reported by the company differs from the consensus estimate.

If a company reports a higher EPS than expected, it is considered an earnings surprise to the upside. This can indicate better-than-expected financial performance, which might lead to positive market reactions such as an increase in the stock price. Conversely, if a company reports a lower EPS than expected, it is considered an earnings surprise to the downside, which might result in negative market reactions and a decrease in the stock price.

EPS surprises can provide insights into a company's financial health and management's ability to meet or exceed market expectations. Investors often pay close attention to these surprises as they can impact stock valuations and influence trading decisions.