Estee Lauder Earnings Preview: Analysts Expect Rising Revenue, Falling EPS

Estee Lauder EL releases its next round of earnings this Monday, August 15, 2011. Get prepared with Benzinga's ultimate preview for Estee Lauder's fourth quarter earnings.

Earnings and Revenue:

Analysts are looking ahead to a positive EPS of 24 cents/share and revenues of $2.03 billion. Investors will be keen to see how this quarter's numbers compare to the year-ago quarter's positive EPS of 29 cents/share on revenues of $1.84 billion. We'll have to wait for Monday to see if Estee Lauder reports a decline in EPS and a boost in revenue from the year-ago quarter, as analysts are predicting.

Here's how the company's reported EPS has stacked up against analyst estimates in the past:

Stock Performance:

As of August 9, 2011, Estee Lauder's current share price was $91.05. Since January 1st, shares of Estee Lauder has given investors a return of 12.8%. For a full 12 months, the return has risen by 51.9%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are probably satisfied going into this earnings release.

• Long-term shareholders are already enjoying 12-month gains prior to the announcement

Average Stock Rating:

The average rating by analysts for Estee Lauder is a Hold. The strength of this rating has crept upwards over the past three months.

Competitors:

Wondering how some of the other consumer staples companies are doing? Here are a few of Estee Lauder's peers in that sector.

• Avon Products AVP: Hold with a $0.49 recent quarter EPS
• Physicians Formula Holdings FACE: Moderate Buy with a -$0.02 recent quarter EPS
• Inter Parfums IPAR: Hold with a $0.41 recent quarter EPS

The cosmetics company's industry has seen price/earnings growth of 0.7% during the current fiscal year.

Finally, a description of the company's main areas of operation: Estee Lauder manufactures skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products.

Take Action:

There is your peek into Estee Lauder's upcoming earnings numbers, including some competitors to watch around the time of the announcement. Check back in with us after the announcement for a full recap of the announcement. In the meantime, here are some links to explore today.

• To see up-to-date news on Estee Lauder, click here
• To see other trading ideas, click here
• To see other company earnings recaps, click here