Investors aiming to predict which stocks will pop during earnings season may want to keep an eye on companies that have strong track records of exceeding Wall Street’s expectations. Earnings season for the third quarter starts ramping up next week. Some of the companies slated to share their top- and bottom-line results next week include JPMorgan, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Johnson & Johnson. We screened Bespoke Investment Group data for names that have beaten earnings expectations at least 80% of the time, while averaging a gain of at least 1% in the next trading session following results. Here are a few companies that are slated to post results next week and have histories of topping the Street’s estimates: Citizens Financial Group The financial institution has beaten analysts’ expectations 80% of the time. Its stock has an average earnings day gain of roughly 1%. Citizens is on a strong run up going into earnings season. Its shares have risen 38% over the past six months. Snap-On The American designer and manufacturer has topped earnings estimates 89% of the time. On average, its shares have risen roughly 1.5% on earnings day. In recent months, Snap-On has struggled due to broader concerns about weakness in the industrial sectors. Its stock is down about 2% in the year to date. Ally The financial services company has a track record of posting better-than-expected earnings results 80% of the time. On earnings days, its shares have risen 1% on average. Ally shares have fallen over the past few months as investors worry the U.S. economy showing sings of stagnating, which could hurt consumer behavior. The stock is down 9% in the year to date.
