Pfizer Earnings Preview: Analysts Expect Falling EPS

Pfizer PFE announces its next round of earnings this Tuesday, August 2, 2011. Here is Benzinga's everything-that-matters guide for this Tuesday's second quarter earnings announcement.

Earnings and Revenue:

Based on estimates, investors are readying for a positive EPS reading of 59 cents per share and revenues of $16.98 billion. Investors will be keen to see how this quarter's numbers stack up against the year-ago quarter's positive EPS of 62 cents per share on revenues of $17.32 billion. Investors are bracing themselves for Tuesday when we'll learn if Pfizer reports expected declines in both EPS and revenue from the year-ago quarter.

Here's how the company's reported EPS has stacked up against analyst estimates in the past:

Stock Performance:

Shares of Pfizer were trading at $19.30 as of July 27, 2011. Shares are up 12.5% year to date. For a full 12 months, the return has risen by 15.7%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are probably satisfied going into this earnings release.

• Long-term shareholders are already enjoying 12-month gains prior to the announcement

Average Stock Rating:

The average rating by analysts for Pfizer is a Moderate Buy. The strength of this rating has declined slightly over the past three months.

Competitors:

Want to check out the performance of Pfizer closest competitors? Take a look at some of the company's peers in the healthcare sector.

• Abbott Laboratories ABT: Hold with a $1.12 recent quarter EPS
• Amgen AMGN: Moderate Buy with a $1.32 recent quarter EPS
• Bristol-Myers Squibb BMY: Hold with a $0.58 recent quarter EPS
• GlaxoSmithKline GSK: Hold with a $1.01 recent quarter EPS

The large-cap pharmaceutical company's industry has seen price/earnings growth of 2.9% during the current fiscal year.

Finally, a description of the company's main areas of operation: Pfizer is a global pharmaceutical company which develops and manufactures prescription medications for humans and animals.

Take Action:

There is your peek into Pfizer's upcoming earnings numbers, including some competitors to watch around the time of the announcement. Check back in with us after the announcement for a full recap of the announcement. In the meantime, here are some links to explore today.

• To see up-to-date news on Pfizer, click here
• To see other trading ideas, click here
• To see other company earnings recaps, click here