Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell). Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. Revenues are expected to be $178 million, up 6% from the year-ago quarter. This provider of dredging and dock-contracting services is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.21 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +50%.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. The earnings report might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates. The market expects Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2021.

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