Francesca’s Holdings (NASDAQ:FRAN): Shares of FRAN are down 21% year-to-date due in large part to multiple downgrades in mid May. Earnings have otherwise steadily improved in recent quarters. The company has delivered double-digit, top line growth in 5 of the past 6 quarters. Expectations into today’s results look muted compared to past reports. Profits are forecasted 14% lower from a year earlier, with revenue up a meager 4%. Historically, this a stock that drops immediately following an earnings report, piling onto its ongoing troubles this year.
The Valspar Corporation (NYSE:VAL): Earlier this year Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW) agreed to buy Valspar for a $11.3 billion, a deal that merges the two biggest paint providers. The combination of the two companies is expected to create significant value and reignite growth. Earnings have been relatively lackluster lately with revenue and earnings falling short for two consecutive quarters. Early indications suggest today's results have been trending up. Earnings are forecasted 8% higher from a year earlier with sales up 2% over the same time.
HD Supply Holdings (NASDAQ:HDS): The company has been a strong performer with the stock up 21% in 2016. However, HDS's impressive stock movement hasn’t been supported by earnings. Revenue comparisons have dropped nearly 20% in each of the past 4 quarters due to a weak industrials environment. Forecasted growth for the quarter to be reported appears to suggest the company is reversing its past misfortunes. Earnings are expected to jump 59% while sales are projected to buck ongoing problems with 1% growth. On average the stock increases 2% immediately following an earnings report.