CBS Earnings Preview: Analysts Expect Higher EPS, Revenue
CBS (NYSE: CBS) releases its next round of earnings this Thursday, November 3, 2011. Here's Benzinga's advanced look at CBS' third quarter earnings report.
Earnings and Revenue:
Ahead of the company's earnings announcement, analysts are expecting a positive EPS reading of 46 cents/share and revenues of $3.43 billion. CBS' latest numbers will no doubt be compared with the company's year-ago quarter, when it reported a profit of 35 cents/share on revenues of $3.3 billion. Can the company manage the estimated 31.4% rise in EPS and 3.9% increase in revenues from the year-ago quarter as analysts are predicting? We'll have to wait until Thursday to find out.
Here's how the company's reported EPS has stacked up against analyst estimates in the past:
| Quarter | Q2 | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 |
| EPS Estimate | $0.45 | $0.19 | $0.44 | $0.30 |
| EPS Actual | $0.58 | $0.29 | $0.46 | $0.35 |
Stock Performance:
Shares of CBS were trading at $25.80 as of October 28, 2011. Shares are up 36.8% year to date. For a full 12 months, the return has risen by 34.3%. 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 is a Moderate Buy. Over the past three months this rating's strength has declined slightly.
Competitors:
Looking for a sympathy stock to trade or interested in the performance of other companies in the same sector? Take a look at some of CBS' peers.
- Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA): Moderate Buy with a $0.42 recent quarter EPS
- Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS): Hold with a $0.78 recent quarter EPS
- Entercom Communications (ETM): Moderate Buy with a $0.31 recent quarter EPS
The media conglomerate company's industry has seen price/earnings growth of 1.3% during the current fiscal year.
Finally, a description of the company's main areas of operation: CBS is a mass media company with operations in entertainment, cable networks, publishing, local broadcasting, and radio.
Take Action:
Now that you're fully prepared, get ready to take quick action if the company reports any numbers significantly different from those listed above. Also, check back in with us after the announcement for a full recap and what-to-do-next guide.
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