Over the next two weeks, first-quarter earnings season comes into full-swing. Approximately half of S&P 500 companies are expected to release results.
Those include major names from tech, consumer product and industrials such as Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) and Boeing (NYSE:BA).
Estimates for Q1 profits have deteriorated due to the crippling economic impact of the ongoing coronavirus crisis and the resulting lockdown measures. Analysts anticipate overall S&P 500 earnings will dive by 12.8%, a stark decline from the 4.7% drop projected as of April 1.
Still, there are a number of companies defying the trend. Below are three names on track to enjoy a boost in results from the current market environment.
1. Domino’s Pizza
- Reports: April 23 before the open
- EPS Estimate: +5.5% YoY
- Revenue Estimate: +4% YoY
Domino’s Pizza (NYSE:DPZ) has shown impressive strength amid the coronavirus-driven market correction. Year-to-date, shares have gained 24.3%, compared to the S&P 500’s 15.3% decline, as restrictive stay-at-home measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 lifted demand for its food deliveries.
The pizza chain’s stock, which has outperformed rivals such as Papa John's International (NASDAQ:PZZA) and Pizza Hut-parent Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM) since the start of the year, ended at $365.22 on Tuesday, within sight of an all-time high of $381.86 reached on February 20.
Consensus estimates call for the pizza-maker to post earnings of $2.32 per share, higher than EPS of $2.20 in the year-ago period. Revenue is expected to total $869.81 million, up from $835.9 in the same period a year earlier, as online delivery orders, which account for about 55% of total orders, are set to see a healthy spike.
The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based corporation recently came out with its preliminary results. It anticipates global retail sales to rise by 4.4% during the first quarter, or 5.9% when excluding the foreign currency impact. The company estimates U.S. same-store sales increased by 1.6% and international same-store sales grew by 1.5% during the same period.
2. Teladoc Health
- Reports: April 29 after the close
- EPS Estimate: +19.4% YoY
- Revenue Estimate: +38.4% YoY
Shares of Teladoc Health (NYSE:TDOC) have performed remarkably well lately, rallying to new all-time highs even amidst the broader market slump. The leading name in telemedicine provides remote medical care using telephone and videoconferencing software as well as mobile apps.
The virtual healthcare platform's stock has more than doubled in value so far this year, soaring 106%, as the spread of COVID-19 fueled a surge in demand for the company’s service offerings.
The stock settled at $172.39 last night, after hitting a record high of $189.12 earlier in the session.
Consensus calls for the Purchase, New York-based company to see a loss of $0.36 per share for the first quarter, compared to a loss of $0.43 per share in the year-ago period. Revenue is forecast to come in at $177.95 million.
In an earnings pre-announcement last week, Teladoc Health said its virtual medical appointments have more than doubled in number since early March to more than 20,000 a day as increasing numbers of people sought out remote consultations with doctors as coronavirus rapidly spread.
Another development that bodes well for the future: more than 60% of recent visits are with members new to the platform according to the company.
3. The Clorox Company
- Reports: May 1 before the open
- EPS Estimate: +11.8% YoY
- Revenue Estimate: +8.4% YoY
The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) produces a wide range of household products, but it is its cleaning segment that is driving gains, generating 53% of overall earnings. Products like Clorox bleach and disinfectant wipes, as well as cleaning solutions from its Pine-Sol and Green Works brands, are especially popular as people turn to disinfectant solutions to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Despite powerful market volatility, shares of the Oakland, California-based company have steadily climbed to all-time highs in recent weeks. Year-to-date, shares of the well-known consumer products maker are up 25.1%, making it one of the big gainers during coronavirus outbreak in the U.S.
The household products maker's stock closed at $190.77 yesterday, not far from a record peak of $214.21 touched on March 21.
Analysts have become more bullish on the Clorox Company's earnings prospects, making several upward revisions in current-quarter earnings estimates. Consensus calls for earnings of $1.61 per share, compared to EPS of $1.44 in the year-ago period. Revenue is forecast to clock in at $1.68 billion, improving from sales of $1.55 billion in the same quarter a year earlier.
“Based on conversations with retail buyers, we estimate COVID-19 related demand could boost baseline disinfectant category trends by 3-5x in the next few months as retailers work to rebuild inventory and stay in stock,” UBS analyst Steven Strycula said in a recent note.