Helix Energy (HLX) appears an attractive pick given a noticeable improvement in the company's earnings outlook. The stock has been a strong performer lately, and the momentum might continue with analysts still raising their earnings estimates for the company.
Analysts' growing optimism on the earnings prospects of this offshore oil and gas services contractor 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 Helix Energy, there has been strong agreement among the covering analysts in raising earnings estimates, which has helped push consensus estimates considerably higher 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
The company is expected to earn $0.07 per share for the current quarter, which represents a year-over-year change of +450.0%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Helix Energy has increased 40% over the last 30 days, as one estimate has gone higher compared to no negative revisions.
Current-Year Estimate Revisions
The company is expected to earn $0.33 per share for the full year, which represents a change of +6.5% from the prior-year number.
There has been an encouraging trend in estimate revisions for the current year as well. Over the past month, one estimate has moved up for Helix Energy versus no negative revisions. This has pushed the consensus estimate 13.79% higher.
Favorable Zacks Rank
Thanks to promising estimate revisions, Helix Energy currently carries 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 Helix Energy because of its solid estimate revisions, as evident from the stock's 7.8% 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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Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (HLX): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).