US Earnings: earnings season
Level:
Short version for experts: tables, lists and screenshots only.
Earnings season
Four times a year companies publish their quarterly results. On the day of the reaction to the report, a stock moves twice as much as usual. It's the best time for active stock trading — and the most dangerous.
Reaction day is the first main session after the report. Report released after the close — the reaction is tomorrow. Released before the open — the reaction is today.
Words
- EPS — earnings per share.
- Expectations — the analysts' forecast.
- Surprise — by how many percent the actual figure differs from expectations.
- Company guidance — what the company promises for the future. It often matters more than the earnings themselves: a stock can fall on a good report if the guidance is weak.
Practical details
- The actual earnings figure appears with a delay of a few minutes to an hour after the report is released.
- The "Reporting soon" tab shows upcoming reports — you can prepare in advance.
- The "earnings" mark and the score bonus are also visible in US Premarket and "Opening Plan".
