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Software Stocks' Earnings Due on Jan 25: CTXS, FFIV & More

The fourth-quarter earnings season is in its initial stage with 63 S&P 500 members or 19.2% of the index’s total membership reporting their quarterly results as of Jan 20, according to the latest Zacks Earnings Preview report.

Per the report, approximately 66.7% of the companies posted positive earnings surprises, while 50.8% beat top-line expectations. Earnings of these companies grew 4.7% from the same period last year, while revenues increased 2.7%.

The trend this earnings season indicates that we may finally see back-to-back quarters of positive earnings picture after five straight quarters of decline. The report projects that earnings for the S&P 500 Index will improve 4.8% from the year-ago period, while total revenue will grow 3.7%.

Technology will be in the spotlight this week, with several major companies including Microsoft MSFT, Intel INTC, Alibaba Group BABA and Alphabet GOOGL aka Google scheduled to report results this week. As per the Earnings Preview report, as of Jan 20, 10.1% of the technology sector’s total market capitalization on the S&P 500 index reported their results.

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Total earnings of these tech companies are up 1% from the same period last year on 2.2% higher revenues, with 85.7% beating earnings estimates and 71.4% surpassing revenue expectations.

Per the Earnings Preview report, technology earnings are expected to be up 3.6% on 4.3% higher revenues.

Let’s see what’s in store for four software stocks, all of which are expected to release quarterly numbers on Jan 25.

Citrix Systems Inc. CTXS, which is one of the leading suppliers of application delivery and management software and services, is slated to report fourth-quarter 2016 results. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is pegged at $1.26.Last quarter, the company posted a positive earnings surprise of 14.43%. Notably, Citrix has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 25.12%. (Read more: Citrix Systems Q4 Earnings: A Surprise in Store?)

Citrix Systems, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Citrix Systems, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Citrix Systems, Inc. Quote

F5 Networks Inc. FFIV, which is a leading provider of integrated Internet traffic and content management solutions, is scheduled to report first-quarter fiscal 2017 results. The stock has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #3.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is pegged at $1.53.Last quarter, the company posted a positive earnings surprise of 9.74%. Notably, F5 Networks has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate thrice, while missing the same on one occasion in the trailing four quarters. It has an average positive earnings surprise of 3.37%. (Read more: What's in Store for F5 Networks in Q1 Earnings?)

F5 Networks, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

F5 Networks, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | F5 Networks, Inc. Quote

CommVault Systems Inc. CVLT, which provides unified data management solutions for high-performance data protection, universal availability and simplified management of data on complex storage networks, is slated to report third-quarter fiscal 2017 results. The stock has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #3.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is pegged at 2 cents. Last quarter, the company posted a positive earnings surprise of 66.67%. Notably, CommVault has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate thrice, while missing the same on one occasion. It has an average positive earnings surprise of 359.17%.

CommVault Systems, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

CommVault Systems, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | CommVault Systems, Inc. Quote

MicroStrategy Inc. MSTR, a leading worldwide provider of business intelligence software, is anticipated to report fourth-quarter 2016 results. The stock has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #3.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is pegged at $2.57.Last quarter, the company posted a positive earnings surprise of 38.32%. Notably, MicroStrategy surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate twice, while missing the same on two occasions in the trailing four quarters. It has an average positive earnings surprise of 6.20%.

MicroStrategy Incorporated Price and EPS Surprise

MicroStrategy Incorporated Price and EPS Surprise | MicroStrategy Incorporated Quote

Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017

In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest tickers for the entirety of 2017?

Who wouldn't? These 10 are painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. They are our primary picks to buy and hold.  Be among the very first to see them >>


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F5 Networks, Inc. (FFIV): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Citrix Systems, Inc. (CTXS): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
CommVault Systems, Inc. (CVLT): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
MicroStrategy Incorporated (MSTR): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Intel Corporation (INTC): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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