Earnings Expectations For The Week Of December 16: FedEx, Oracle, Nike And More

On the earnings front, things will start out slow this week, but then

,

,

,

and others will take their turns in the earnings spotlight. Below is a quick look at what analysts expect from some of this week's most prominent quarterly reports.

In its report early Wednesday, this global courier delivery services company is expected to post per-share earnings of $1.63 for its most recent quarter, up from $1.39 per share in the year-ago period. Note that the Memphis-based company exceeded consensus EPS expectations in the previous two periods. Quarterly revenues are predicted to have risen almost three percent year-over-year to $11.43 billion. So far, revenue for the current quarter, which includes most of the busy holiday season, is expected to be more than four percent higher, relative to the same period of last year.

Fiscal second-quarter earnings from this maker of enterprise software and computer hardware are expected to come to $0.67 per share, on $9.19 billion in revenue, in Wednesday afternoon's report. In the same period of the previous year, the company reported $0.64 per share and sales of $9.11 billion. Oracle topped EPS expectations in the previous quarter, after matching and falling short of estimates, respectively, in the two quarters before that. The consensus estimate for the most recent quarter is the same as it was 60 days ago. So far, sequential and year-over-year growth in EPS and revenue is forecast for the current quarter.

The forecast for this Beaverton, Oregon-based maker of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories calls for EPS of $0.58 and for revenues to total $6.44 billion for the most recent quarter. That would compare to $0.57 per share and $5.96 billion in sales in the year-ago period. Analysts seem certain, as their consensus EPS forecast has not changed in the past 60 days. The forecast for the current quarter so far calls for sequential and year-over-year growth in both EPS and revenue. Nike is scheduled to share its results Thursday after the markets close.

The largest drug retailing chain in the United States is forecast to report earnings of $0.73 per share in Friday morning's report. That would be up from the $0.58 per share in the year-ago period. Note that the company fell short of consensus EPS expectations in two of the previous four quarters. Walgreen also is expected to say that revenues totaled $18.36 billion in the fiscal first quarter, which would be higher than a year ago by about six percent. So far, sales and earnings results for the current quarter are expected to be higher, both sequentially and year over year.

Analysts expect

to post a net loss of $0.44 per share for its third quarter, or twice the per-share net loss a year ago. Also, revenues for the quarter are estimated to be $1.58 billion, which would be about 42 percent lower than a year ago. Note that net losses were smaller than expected in three of the previous four quarters. However, 60 days ago the consensus forecast called for a net loss of only $0.38 per share for the quarter that ended in November. Look for the Canadian company to share its results Friday before the opening bell.

When it shares its results Wednesday morning, this maker of Lucky Charms, Hamburger Helper and many other packaged foods is expected to say per-share earnings came to $0.88. That would be more than two percent higher year over year. Note that EPs matched consensus expectations in the previous two periods. The forecast for

also calls for revenues for the quarter to be marginally higher than a year ago to $4.94 billion. Analysts thus far are looking for small growth in both earnings and sales for the current quarter as well, but full-year EPS that are up more than seven percent.

Analysts also are looking for earnings growth this week from Accenture, CarMax, KB Home, Lennar, Paychex, Pier 1 and Red Hat. But ConAgra Foods, Carnival, Darden Restaurants, Jabil Circuit, Rite Aid and VeriFone Systems are expected to show a year-over-year decline in per-share earnings. The earnings stage goes dark the following week. The new earnings season kicks off in mid-January with reports from J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo. Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following us on

.