Why Shift4 Payments (FOUR) Might be Well Poised for a Surge

Shift4 Payments (FOUR) could be a solid choice for investors given the company's remarkably improving earnings outlook. While the stock has been a strong performer lately, this trend might continue since analysts are still raising their earnings estimates for the company.

Analysts' growing optimism on the earnings prospects of this company is driving estimates higher, which should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. This insight is at the core of our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank.

The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008.

For Shift4 Payments, strong agreement among the covering analysts in revising earnings estimates upward has resulted in meaningful improvement in consensus estimates for the next quarter and full year.

The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Current-Quarter Estimate Revisions

For the current quarter, the company is expected to earn $1.33 per share, which is a change of +38.54% from the year-ago reported number.

Over the last 30 days, four estimates have moved higher for Shift4 Payments while two have gone lower. As a result, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased 12.77%.

Current-Year Estimate Revisions

The company is expected to earn $5.46 per share for the full year, which represents a change of +40.36% from the prior-year number.

There has been an encouraging trend in estimate revisions for the current year as well. Over the past month, seven estimates have moved up for Shift4 Payments versus one negative revision. This has pushed the consensus estimate 17.27% higher.

Favorable Zacks Rank

The promising estimate revisions have helped Shift4 Payments earn a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Zacks Rank is a tried-and-tested rating tool that helps investors effectively harness the power of earnings estimate revisions and make the right investment decision. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Our research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500.

Bottom Line

Investors have been betting on Shift4 Payments because of its solid estimate revisions, as evident from the stock's 13.6% gain over the past four weeks. As its earnings growth prospects might push the stock higher, you may consider adding it to your portfolio right away.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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