Earnings Expectations For Big-Box Retailers Best Buy And Home Depot Are Very Different

The parade of reports from big retailers kicked off last week with unimpressive results from Wal-Mart and Nordstrom. Many more of big retailers are on deck to share their latest

this week, including specialty retailers and big-box store operators

and

. The consensus forecasts of Wall Street analysts suggest no big swings on the top or bottom lines for either of them, but they are seen moving in different directions. Are either Best Buy or Home Depot likely to offer up a positive surprise or rosy guidance? If they do, how much will investors cheer? Below is a quick look at what is expected from the reports of these two stocks. That is followed by a quick peek at some of the week's other most anticipated earnings reports from retailers.

When the home electronics superstore operator shares its results early Thursday, the consensus forecast of Estimze calls for a profit of $1.42 per share for the fourth quarter. That would be down from earnings per share (EPS) of $1.48 in the same period of last year. Earnings handily topped expectations in the past few quarters, and the Wall Street estimate has risen four cents in the past 60 days. Revenue for the three months that ended in January will be $13.67 billion, or down around 4 percent year over year, if the eight survey respondents are correct. Wall Street analysts are looking for just $13.61 billion for the quarter, as well as $39.51 billion (up about 2 percent) for the year.

Wall Street's fourth-quarter forecast for this Atlanta-based home improvement retailer calls for EPS to have risen by a dime from the year-ago period to $1.10. Some 112 Estimize respondents predict EPS will be $1.12. Note that Wall Street underestimated EPS in the previous quarter, but its current estimate has not changed in the past 60 days. However, Wall Street's consensus revenue estimate is a bit more optimistic than that of Estimize, at $20.39 billion and $20.37 billion, respectively. In the same quarter of last year, Home Depot posted $19.16 billion in revenue. Look for the company to report its results before Tuesday's opening bell.

Foot Locker, J.C. Penney, L Brands, Lowe's, Office Depot, Target and TJX Companies are among the retail companies that Wall Street analysts expect to show earnings growth this week. Earnings declines are in the works for Chico's FAS, Gap, Kohl's and Macy's, as well as a net loss for Sears, if the consensus forecasts are correct.

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