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The Cooper Companies, Inc.’s COO first-quarter fiscal 2025 results are scheduled to be released on Mar. 6, after the closing bell.

In the last reported quarter, the company’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.00%. Its earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 4.87%.

Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Q1 Estimates

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $982 million, indicating a 5.4% increase from the year-ago quarter’s level. The consensus mark for earnings is pinned at 92 cents per share, implying an 8.2% improvement from the prior-year period’s reported number.

Factors to Note

Cooper Companies reports revenues under two major segments — CooperVision (“CVI”) and CooperSurgical (“CSI”). Both these segments have displayed strength in the past few quarters. Overall, the quarterly results are expected to follow seasonal trends, with a lighter start compared to the last two reported quarters. The company remains focused on expanding MyDay production, scaling MiSight globally, sustaining fertility growth and managing challenges in PARAGARD while maintaining a disciplined approach to margin improvements and operational efficiency.

In fourth-quarter 2024, the CVI segment delivered solid growth, driven by strong performance in silicone hydrogel daily lenses, particularly MyDay and clariti. MyDay, in particular, saw high demand across its portfolio of spheres, torics, and multifocals, with MyDay Energys performing well in the United States. Supply constraints for MyDay continue to be a limiting factor and might have hurt first-quarter performance.

However, management remains optimistic as new manufacturing lines come online throughout the year to improve availability and meet demand. The company expects CVI to grow 6.5-8.5% organically for the full year, with steady progress in the first quarter. Our model projects 7.1% organic growth for the segment sales in the quarter. Segmental operating income is likely to improve 16.3% year over year, per the Zacks model estimates.

The Cooper Companies, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

The Cooper Companies, Inc. price-eps-surprise | The Cooper Companies, Inc. Quote

The myopia management business saw strong momentum in the fourth quarter, with MiSight growing 24%. October was its second-highest revenue month ever, benefiting from back-to-school fitting activity, though inventory contraction in the United States slightly affected results. MiSight is expected to have continued its growth trajectory in the soon-to-be-reported quarter, with management forecasting approximately 40% growth for fiscal 2025, supported by expansion in key markets such as the United States, the U.K., Korea and Europe.

Within the CSI segment, the fertility business posted 15% growth (13% organically) in the last reported quarter, driven by consumables, capital equipment, reproductive genetic testing and donor activity. The segment benefited from strong demand and technological advancements, including AI-driven reproductive genomics.

Fertility sales are expected to have resulted in high single-digit growth in the fiscal first quarter of 2025 as well as throughout the year, supported by favorable macroeconomic trends, increasing access to treatments, and a growing patient base. Our model projects 4.6% organic growth for the segment sales in the fiscal first quarter. Segment operating income is likely to improve 36% year over year, per the Zacks model estimates.

Conversely, PARAGARD, CooperSurgical’s non-hormonal IUD, faced a 10% decline in the fourth quarter due to increased competition from alternative birth control options. PARAGARD sales are likely to have remained under pressure in the fiscal first quarter, with a flat or slightly down year-over-year performance.

Financially, the gross margin improved to 66.9% in the fourth quarter, benefiting from price increases and efficiency gains. Gross margin is likely to have expanded during the soon-to-be-reported quarter, supported by higher production levels and cost control initiatives.

Operating income, which grew 16.2% in the fourth quarter, is anticipated to gain 10-12% in fiscal 2025, implying a stable trajectory in the fiscal first quarter. Foreign exchange is likely to have been a headwind, impacting revenues by 1.5% and EPS by 4% in the soon-to-be-reported quarter. Per our model estimates, adjusted gross and operating margins are projected to be 66.2% and 24.1%, respectively, for the first quarter.

What Our Quantitative Model Suggests

Per our proven model, the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. That is not the case here, as you will see below.

Earnings ESP: The Copper Companies has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at present.

Stocks Worth a Look

Here are a few medical stocks worth considering, as these have the right combination of elements to come up with an earnings beat this reporting cycle.

Auna S.A. AUNA has an Earnings ESP of +26.67% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

AUNA delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of -28.25%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter EPS is pegged at 15 cents.

Valneva VALN has an Earnings ESP of +22.73% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.

The company is expected to release fourth-quarter 2024 results this month. Its earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, the average surprise being -69.82%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPS implies an improvement of 56% from the year-ago reported figure.

Ocugen OCGN has an Earnings ESP of +20.00% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The company is scheduled to release fourth-quarter 2024 results in March.

OCGN delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 16.67%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter EPS implies a decline of 25% from the year-ago reported figure.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

Canadian Natural Resources Limited CNQ is set to release fourth-quarter results on March 6. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 69 cents per share on revenues of $6.39 billion.

Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Let us delve into the factors that might have influenced CNQ’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter. Before that, it is worth taking a look at the company’s performance in the last reported quarter.

Highlights of CNQ’s Q3 Earnings & Surprise History

In the last reported quarter, the Calgary-based oil and gas equipment and services company beat the consensus mark on decreased year-over-year expenses. CNQ reported adjusted earnings per share of 71 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents. Total revenues of $6.5 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.9%. CNQ’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate thrice in the trailing four quarters and missed in the other one, delivering an average surprise of 3.87%. This is depicted in the chart below:

Canadian Natural Resources Limited Price and EPS Surprise

Canadian Natural Resources Limited price-eps-surprise | Canadian Natural Resources Limited Quote

Trend in CNQ’s Estimate Revision

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 earnings has not witnessed any movement in the past seven days. The estimated figure indicates a 19.77% year-over-year decrease. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues implies an 8.92% decrease from the year-ago period.

Factors to Consider Ahead of CNQ’s Q4 Results

CNQ makes money by finding and producing oil and gas, which it sells to other companies. It also owns pipelines to move the oil and gas around. The company has a varied range of products, including heavy and light crude oil, natural gas, bitumen and synthetic-crude oil. CNQ’s core operations are focused in Western Canada, the United Kingdom’s sector of the North Sea and offshore Africa, which includes Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon and South Africa.

CNQ’s revenues are likely to have suffered in the quarter to be reported. Our model predicts fourth-quarter revenues to have decreased to $6,247.5 million from the year-ago quarter’s level of $7,018 million. This can be attributed to the poor performance of the Exploration and Production segments.

North America’s revenues are expected to have decreased 15.7% year over year, totaling C$3,735.5 million, while the North Sea’s revenues are predicted to have decreased 16.2% at the same time, amounting to C$138.2 million. On the other hand, Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading’s revenues are expected to have decreased 7.3% year over year, totaling C$4,190.9 million.

Turning to the cost side, CNQ's cost-reduction initiatives are anticipated to have positively impacted its bottom line. We expect the company’s total expenses to have reached C$6,386.5 million in the fourth quarter, which is 3.2% down from the year-ago quarter’s level of C$6,595 million.

Moreover, total depletion, depreciation and amortization expenses are forecasted to have significantly decreased to C$1,382.6 million, representing a 32.3% drop. In contrast, administration expenses are expected to have seen a more modest decline, reaching C$118.5 million, a 0.5% decrease from the year-ago quarter.

What Does Our Model Predict for CNQ?

The proven Zacks model does not conclusively show an earnings beat for CNQ this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. However, that is not the case here.

Earnings ESP of CNQ: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, for this company is -7.25%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

CNQ’s Zacks Rank: CNQ currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.

Stocks to Consider

Here are some firms from the other space that you may want to consider, as these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle.

Auna S.A. AUNA has an Earnings ESP of +26.67% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The company is set to release its earnings on March 10. Despite a substantial valuation of approximately $637.91 billion, AUNA’s shares have experienced a 5.1% decline in the past year. Auna S.A. operates as a healthcare company, focusing its services primarily in Mexico, Peru and Colombia. Furthermore, Auna S.A. is headquartered in LUXEMBOURG.

Similarly, Franco-Nevada FNV has an Earnings ESP of +1.23% and a Zacks Rank #3. However, in contrast to AUNA’s share performance, FNV’s shares have seen a significant gain of 27.9% in the past year, with a valuation around $27.52 billion.

FNV is scheduled to release earnings on March 10. Notably, Toronto, Canada-based Franco-Nevada functions as a gold-focused royalty and stream company while maintaining interests in silver, platinum group metals, oil & gas, and other resource assets.

Finally, Gaia GAIA has an Earnings ESP of +25.00% and a Zacks Rank #3. Gaia is scheduled to release earnings on March 10.

Gaia is valued at around $110.53 million and its shares have gained 49% in a year. Gaia provides a digital video subscription service and its video content is accessible through online digital streaming on virtually any Internet-connected device on a commercial-free basis.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

Sea Limited SE is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2024 results on March 04.

Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at 76 cents per share, down 5% over the past 30 days. SE incurred a loss of 1 cent in the year-ago quarter.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $4.84 billion, suggesting year-over-year growth of 35.79%.

Sea Limited Sponsored ADR Price and EPS Surprise

Sea Limited Sponsored ADR price-eps-surprise | Sea Limited Sponsored ADR Quote

SE’s earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters, delivering a negative earnings surprise of 55.54%, on average.

Let us see how things have shaped up for the upcoming announcement.

Key Factors to Note Ahead of Q4 Results

Sea Limited is expected to have benefited from a strong e-commerce performance despite a highly competitive environment, maintaining its mid-20% GMV growth guidance for the year. The holiday season, a key online shopping demand driver, likely boosted Shopee’s GMV and revenues. This continued momentum is anticipated to have strengthened the company’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter.

In the third quarter of 2024, Shopee achieved a positive adjusted EBITDA in both Asia and Brazil, highlighting its strong financial performance. With a continued focus on sustainable growth, the platform is likely to have continued gaining.

SeaMoney's loan book surged above 70% year over year in the third quarter of 2024, driven by strong credit demand in underserved markets. By leveraging Shopee’s user base and diverse funding sources, including asset-backed lending and digital banks, the company efficiently scaled its credit business. This momentum is expected to have benefited Sea Limited in the fourth quarter, as demand for digital financial solutions in emerging markets continued to rise.

Garena's (digital entertainment) total bookings grew 24% year over year, driven by strong engagement in its flagship game, Free Fire, which attracted more than 100 million daily active users worldwide. Strategic partnerships, including collaborations with YouTube, strengthened its presence in key markets like Indonesia by aligning with local trends. This momentum is expected to have benefited the company in the fourth quarter.

However, intensifying competition in the e-commerce sector, driven by regional and global players, is expected to have affected the quarter under review.

What Our Model Indicates

Per the Zacks model, the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that is not the case here.

Sea Limited has an Earnings ESP of -18.78% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Stocks to Consider

Here are some companies worth considering, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings in their upcoming releases:

Rigel Pharmaceuticals RIGL has an Earnings ESP of +100.00% and sports a Zacks Rank of #1 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

RIGL shares have returned 29.5% year to date. Rigel Pharmaceuticals is set to report fourth-quarter 2024 results on March 04.

Auna S.A. AUNA currently has an Earnings ESP of +26.67% and a Zacks Rank #2.

AUNA shares have gained 16.7% year to date. Auna is set to report fourth-quarter 2024 results on March 10.

Xeris Pharmaceuticals XERS has an Earnings ESP of +2.78% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.

XERS shares have gained 16.7% year to date. Xeris Pharmaceuticals is set to report fourth-quarter 2024 results on March 06.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

Agilent Technologies A reported first-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings of $1.31 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.15%. The figure increased 1.6% year over year.

Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Revenues of $1.68 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.86%. The top line increased 1.4% on a reported basis and 1.2% on a core basis from the year-ago quarter.

This growth was driven by sustained improvements in Pharmaceuticals and increased demand across Diagnostics and Clinical, Food, and Environmental and Forensics markets. However, the company faced challenges in the Academic and Government, and Chemical and Advanced Materials markets during the reported quarter.

Agilent Technologies, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Agilent Technologies, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Agilent Technologies, Inc. Quote

After the results were announced, shares of Agilent Technologies dropped 3.7% in after-hours trading. This decline can be attributed to the conservative full-year 2025 guidance, margin declines across all key segments and weak performance in the Asia-Pacific region.

Agilent’s Segmental Top-Line Details

In the first quarter of 2025, Agilent revised its segment reporting structure. The company now operates through three reporting segments—Life Sciences and Diagnostics Markets Group (“LDG”), Agilent CrossLab Group (“ACG”) and Applied Markets Group (“AMG”).

LDG: The segment generated $647 million or 38.5% of the company’s total revenues. This represented a 4.4% increase on a reported basis and a 1% rise on a core basis compared with the prior-year quarter. This growth was driven by strong performance in LC and LCMS instruments, supported by positive customer reception to the newly launched Infinity III LC platform.

ACG: Revenues from the segment were $696 million, accounting for 41.4% of the total revenues. The top line grew 1.5% on a reported basis and 3% on a core basis compared with the prior-year quarter. This was led by solid mid-single-digit growth in Services, including high-single-digit growth in contract revenues.

AMG: Revenues decreased 4% year over year on a reported basis and 2% on a core basis to $338 million, accounting for the remaining 20.1% of the total revenues. This segment delivered better-than-expected revenues despite a challenging year-over-year comparison, which was impacted by the timing of the Lunar New Year. Strong contributions from China’s stimulus further supported top-line growth.

Agilent’s Operating Results

For the first quarter of fiscal 2025, the gross margin in the LDG segment contracted 210 basis points (bps) to 52.8% from the prior-year quarter. ACG’s gross margin decreased 80 bps to 56.1%, while AMG’s gross margin declined 60 bps year over year to 55.8%.

Research and development (R&D) expenses on a non-GAAP basis were $112 million, down 6.7% from the prior-year quarter. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses on a non-GAAP basis rose slightly to $386 million, marking a 1.3% increase from the prior-year quarter.

As a percentage of revenues, R&D expenses fell 60 bps year over year to 6.7%, while SG&A expenses growth remained flat at 23%.

The non-GAAP operating margin of 25.1% for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 indicates a year-over-year contraction of 70 bps.

The operating margin in the LDG segment declined 30 bps to 18.1% from the prior-year quarter. ACG’s operating margin fell 60 bps year over year to 31.8%. Meanwhile, AMG’s operating margin contracted 130 bps year over year to 24.9%.

Agilent’s Balance Sheet & Cash Flow

As of Jan. 31, 2025, Agilent’s cash and cash equivalents were $1.47 billion, up from $1.33 billion as of Oct. 31, 2024.

Accounts receivables were $1.33 billion at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared with $1.32 billion at the end of the fourth quarter.

The long-term debt was $3.35 billion for the reported quarter, unchanged from the prior quarter.

Cash flow from operating activities was $431 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared with $481 million in the previous quarter.

Agilent’s Q2 & FY25 Guidance

For the second quarter of fiscal 2025, management expects revenues in the range of $1.61-$1.65 billion, indicating a rise of 2.4% to 4.9% on a reported basis and up 2.5% to 5% on a core basis. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $1.67 billion.

Non-GAAP fiscal second-quarter earnings per share are expected to be in the band of $1.25-$1.28. The consensus mark for the same is pinned at $1.27 per share.

For fiscal 2025, management revised its revenue guidance from $6.79-$6.87 billion to $6.68-$6.76 billion, implying an increase of 2.6-3.8% on a reported basis and 2.5-3.5% on a core basis. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is pegged at $6.83 billion.

The company expects its fiscal 2025 non-GAAP earnings per share in the range of $5.54-$5.61. The consensus mark for fiscal 2025 earnings is pinned at $5.56 per share.

Agilent’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Currently, Agilent carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Medical sector are Agenus AGEN, Auna S.A. AUNA and Delcath Systems DCTH, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Agenus’ shares have increased 13.1% in the year-to-date period. AGEN is set to report fourth-quarter 2024 results on March 11.

Auna’s shares have gained 18.1% in the year-to-date period. AUNA is set to report fourth-quarter 2024 results on March 10.

Delcath Systems’ shares have surged 22% in the year-to-date period. DCTH is set to report fourth-quarter 2024 results on March 6.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

Energy Focus shares surged 67% pre-bell Tuesday after a 5.7% increase in the previous session.

FG Merger II F shares advanced 24%, extending Friday's rally.

Innate Pharma shares were up 29% after the company said Monday the US Food and Drug Administration has granted breakthrough therapy designation to the company's treatment candidate for Sezary Syndrome.

TNL Mediagene shares rose 19% after a 3.8% drop.

Auna shares increased 26% following a muted session.