Apple (AAPL) is expected to report earnings on Tuesday, January 31st, after market close. The whisper number is $3.33, eleven cents ahead of the analysts’ estimate and showing confidence from the WhisperNumber community. Whispers range from a low of $3.14 to a high of $3.61. A year ago the company reported earnings of $3.28. Apple has a 69% positive surprise history (having topped the whisper in 51 of the 74 earnings reports for which we have data).

Earnings history:

Our primary focus is on post earnings price movement. Knowing how likely a stock’s price will move following an earnings report can help you determine the best action to take (long or short). In other words, we analyze what happens when the company beats or misses the whisper number expectation.

The table below indicates the average post earnings price movement within a one and thirty trading day timeframe:

The strongest price movement of +3.3% comes within thirty trading days when the company reports earnings that beat the whisper number, and +7.8% within thirty trading days when the company reports earnings that miss the whisper number. Although the strongest price moves are positive, the overall average post earnings price move is ‘opposite’ (beat the whisper number and see weakness, miss and see strength) when the company reports earnings.

The table below indicates the most recent earnings reports and short-term price reaction:

The company has reported earnings ahead of the whisper number in one of the past four quarters with a whisper number. In the comparable quarter last year the company reported earnings eight cents short of the whisper number. Following that report the stock realized a 2.7% loss in one trading day. Last quarter the company reported earnings eleven cents short of the whisper number. Following that report the stock realized a 5.7% loss in ten trading days. Overall historical data indicates the company to be (on average within thirty trading days) an ‘opposite’ price reactor when the company reports earnings.