11 Stocks That Beat Profit Expectations

Published May 25, 2022 at 11:04 am EDT Updated September 7, 2026 at 2:12 pm EDT

In this article, we will take a look at the 11 stocks that beat profit expectations.

Notable companies from the technology, healthcare and communication services sectors, including Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU), Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A) and Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZM), recently surpassed profit expectations for their respective quarters.

Shares of Intuit and Agilent Technologies turned green in the pre-market trading session on Wednesday, May 25, following the results. Moreover, Zoom stock also closed higher on better-than-expected financial performance.

Several other companies, including aftermarket automotive parts retailer AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) and home builder Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL), were also trending following their upbeat quarterly results.

Stocks That Beat Profit Expectations

11. America’s Car-Mart, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRMT)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15

Shares of America’s Car-Mart, Inc. recently rose to a nearly three-month high after exceeding profit and sales estimates for its fiscal fourth quarter. The automotive retailer reported earnings of $4.01 per share, compared to $6.19 per share in the year-ago period.

Revenue came in at $351.84 million, up 26.1 percent on a year-over-year basis. Analysts were expecting America’s Car-Mart, Inc. to report earnings of $3.10 per share on revenue of $297.23 million.

The average sales price rose 24 percent to $17,860. Among other updates, America’s Car-Mart, Inc. reported that it repurchased $8.2 million worth of its common stock during the quarter.

Speaking on the results, CEO Jeff Williams said in a statement:

“We are increasing market share while facing challenges stemming from ongoing supply and demand imbalances in the used car market, inflation, and declining consumer confidence. We expect to see additional productivity improvements as we leverage our investments and competitive strengths.”

10. Caleres, Inc. (NYSE:CAL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 21

Shares of Caleres, Inc. (NYSE:CAL) jumped over 10 percent in the extended hours on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, after posting record financial results for its fiscal first quarter. The footwear company reported earnings of $1.32 per share, significantly higher than 16 cents per share in the same period of 2021.

In addition, Caleres, Inc. generated revenue of $735.1 million, representing a surge of 15.1 percent over the year-ago period. The results crushed the consensus of 83 cents per share for earnings and $677.28 for revenue.

Caleres, Inc. also issued its financial outlook for the full year. The company anticipates earnings between $4.20 – $4.40 per share and consolidated revenue growth in the range of 2 – 5 percent for its fiscal 2022.

Like Caleres, Inc., investors are also closely watching Intuit Inc. and Agilent Technologies, Inc., following their earnings reports.

9. Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:WOOF)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 23

Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:WOOF) announced better-than-expected financial results for its fiscal first quarter, sending its shares up nearly four percent on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

The San Diego-based pet retailer earned 17 cents per share on an adjusted basis, just ahead of the consensus of 16 cents per share. Revenue came in at $1.48 billion, while analysts were expecting Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. to post revenue of $1.46 billion.

Looking forward, Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. continues to expect adjusted earnings in the range of 97 cents – $1 per share and revenue between $6.15 – $6.25 billion for the full year.

8. Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ:NDSN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27

Shares of Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ:NDSN) closed higher on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, after beating profit expectations for its fiscal second quarter. The Ohio-based company reported adjusted earnings of $2.43 per share, topping estimates of $2.29 per share.

Revenue for the quarter advanced 8 percent on a year-over-year basis to $635 million. Nordson Corporation also released its segment-wise sales results. Revenue from the industrial precision solutions increased 6 percent to $316 million, while advanced technology solutions revenue jumped 10 percent to $319 million in the quarter.

In addition, Nordson Corporation updated its financial outlook for the full year. The company projected adjusted earnings growth in the range of 18 – 21 percent and revenue growth between 8 – 9 percent on a year-over-year basis.

Discussing the results, CEO Sundaram Nagarajan said in a statement:

“I am very proud of the Nordson team’s efforts and our impressive second quarter financial performance, despite the ongoing COVID-related lockdowns in China and foreign currency headwinds.”

7. Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29

Shares of Toll Brothers, Inc. turned green in the after-hours trading session on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, following an upbeat financial performance for its fiscal second quarter. The Pennsylvania-based homebuilder reported earnings of $1.85 per share, well above $1.01 per share in the comparable period of 2021.

Revenue for the quarter surged 18 percent versus last year to $2.28 billion. Analysts were expecting Toll Brothers, Inc. to report earnings of $1.54 per share on revenue of $2.06 billion.

Home deliveries, a key growth indicator for Toll Brothers, Inc., rose 6 percent on a year-over-year basis to 2,407 units. Looking forward, the company projected deliveries of 2,750 units for the current quarter and between 11,000 -11,500 units for its fiscal year 2022.

Like Toll Brothers, Inc., Intuit Inc. and Agilent Technologies, Inc. also came into the limelight after beating profit expectations.

6. Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31

Shares of Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) slightly moved up on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, after posting impressive financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter. The New York-based fashion company reported adjusted earnings of 49 cents per share, easily surpassing the consensus of 38 cents per share.

In addition, Ralph Lauren Corporation posted revenue of $1.52 billion, up 18 percent on a year-over-year basis and above expectations of $1.46 billion. If we look at its region-wise sales results, North America revenue jumped 19 percent to $674 million, Europe revenue climbed 26 percent to $467 million and Asia revenue advanced 20 percent to $346 million in the quarter.

For the current quarter, Ralph Lauren Corporation expects revenue growth of about 8 percent. For its fiscal year 2023, the company expects its revenue to grow in the high single digits.

Among other updates, Ralph Lauren Corporation reported that its board increased the regular quarterly dividend by 9 percent to 75 cents per share.

Speaking on the results, CEO Patrice Louvet said in a statement:

“We have laid the groundwork for healthy sustainable growth and value creation in Fiscal 2023. As we continue to navigate a highly dynamic global macroeconomic environment, our growth will be supported by the strength of our brand and multiple engines — from recruiting new high-value consumers to developing high-potential product categories and geographic and channel expansion.”

5. AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38

Shares of AutoZone, Inc. rose nearly six percent on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, after announcing better-than-expected financial results for its fiscal third quarter. The automotive replacement parts retailer reported earnings of $29.03 per share, compared to $26.48 per share in the year-ago period.

Revenue came in at $3.87 billion, up 5.9 percent over the comparable quarter of 2021. Analysts were expecting AutoZone, Inc. to earn $26.05 per share on revenue of $3.71 billion.

Among other updates, AutoZone, Inc. reported that it opened 24 new stores in the quarter, bringing the total count to 6,846. Moreover, it repurchased $900 million worth of its common stock during the three months ended May 7, 2022.

Speaking on the results, CEO Bill Rhodes said:

“We are very proud to report solid same store sales growth on top of last year’s remarkable 28.9%. Both our retail and commercial sales performance exceeded our expectations this quarter. While our commercial sales growth accelerated to 26.0%, our retail sales also remained healthy considering the tough comparison from a year ago.”

4. HEICO Corporation (NYSE:HEI)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39

Shares of HEICO Corporation (NYSE:HEI) closed higher on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, after beating profit and sales expectations for its fiscal second quarter. The company attributed the latest performance to the recovery in the commercial aerospace market and solid income from its flight support group.

HEICO Corporation reported earnings of 62 cents per share, up from 51 cents per share in the same period last year. Revenue for the quarter rallied 15 percent on a year-over-year basis to $538.8 million. The results exceeded the consensus of 61 cents per share for earnings and $531.43 million for revenue.

HEICO Corporation also released its segment-wise sales results. Revenue from the flight support group climbed 33 percent to $306.3 million in the quarter. On the downside, revenue from the electronic technologies group decreased to $237.4 million, from $243.1 million in the year-ago period.

Discussing the results, CEO Laurans Mendelson said:

“As we look ahead to the remainder of fiscal 2022, we expect global commercial air travel to continue growing despite the potential for additional COVID-19 global pandemic (“the Pandemic”) variants. We remain cautiously optimistic that the ongoing worldwide rollout of Pandemic vaccines, including boosters, will continue to positively influence global commercial air travel and benefit the markets we serve.”

3. Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZM)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 43

Zoom Video Communications, Inc. recently announced better-than-expected financial results for its fiscal first quarter and an upbeat outlook for the current quarter. As a result, its shares rose nearly 6 percent on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

The communications technology company earned $1.03 per share on an adjusted basis, compared to $1.32 per share in the same period of the prior year. In addition, revenue for the quarter jumped 12 percent on a year-over-year basis to $1.074 billion. Analysts were expecting Zoom Video Communications, Inc. to post earnings of 87 cents per share on revenue of $1.07 billion.

Looking forward, Zoom Video Communications, Inc. guided for adjusted earnings in the range of 90 – 92 cents per share and revenue between $1.115 – $1.12 billion for its fiscal second quarter. The guidance is better than the consensus of 88 cents per share for earnings and $1.11 billion for revenue.

2. Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 43

Shares of Agilent Technologies, Inc. turned green in the pre-market trading session on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, after posting its fiscal second-quarter profit and sales above expectations.

Agilent Technologies, Inc. reported adjusted earnings of $1.13 per share, topping estimates of $1.07 per share. The quarterly revenue of $1.61 billion also exceeded analysts’ average estimate of $1.55 billion.

For its fiscal year 2022, Agilent Technologies, Inc. raised its adjusted earnings outlook to a range of $4.86 – $4.93 per share, from its previous projection of $4.80 – $4.90 per share.

Commenting on the quarter, CEO Mike McMullen said:

“We delivered 7% core revenue growth, exceeded our EPS expectations and continued to build order backlog, all despite macro challenges including temporary COVID-19 shutdowns in China. Our momentum continues and we have again raised our full-year outlook.”

1. Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 82

Shares of Intuit Inc. rose nearly three percent in the pre-market trading session on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, following an impressive financial performance for its fiscal third quarter.

Intuit Inc. reported adjusted earnings of $7.65 per share, up from $6.07 per share in the year-ago period. Revenue for the quarter climbed 35 percent versus last year to $5.63 billion. The results were better than analysts’ average estimate of $7.58 per share for earnings and $5.51 billion for revenue.

Intuit Inc. also released its financial outlook for the full year. The business software company expects adjusted earnings in the range of $11.68 – $11.74 per share and revenue between $12.63 – $12.67 billion. Analysts were looking for earnings of $11.66 per share and revenue of $12.32 billion for the same period.

Speaking on the results, CEO Sasan Goodarzi said:

“We are confident in our strategy and execution across the company as we become the global AI-driven expert platform powering the prosperity of consumers and small businesses. We had another strong quarter, and we are raising Intuit’s revenue and operating income guidance for fiscal year 2022.”

You can also take a peek at 10 Most Anticipated IPOs of 2022 and 10 Favorite Stocks of Dan Loeb’s Third Point.

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