Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Blue Bird (BLBD - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $80.20, demonstrating a -1.33% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.14% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.01%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.57%.

Coming into today, shares of the school bus maker had gained 10.26% in the past month. In that same time, the Auto-Tires-Trucks sector lost 4.03%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.25%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Blue Bird in its forthcoming earnings report. In that report, analysts expect Blue Bird to post earnings of $1.22 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 2.52%. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $498.7 million, indicating a 25.3% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $4.74 per share and revenue of $1.74 billion. These totals would mark changes of +8.22% and +17.88%, respectively, from last year.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Blue Bird. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 3.45% higher. Currently, Blue Bird is carrying a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Investors should also note Blue Bird's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 17.15. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 19.24, so one might conclude that Blue Bird is trading at a discount comparatively.

It's also important to note that BLBD currently trades at a PEG ratio of 1.04. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. The average PEG ratio for the Automotive - Domestic industry stood at 1.04 at the close of the market yesterday.

The Automotive - Domestic industry is part of the Auto-Tires-Trucks sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 105, putting it in the top 43% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

Blue Bird (BLBD - Free Report) closed at $77.88 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.37% move from the prior day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.22% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.03%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.66%.

Shares of the school bus maker witnessed a gain of 9.15% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Auto-Tires-Trucks sector with its loss of 3.88%, and the S&P 500's loss of 1.21%.

The upcoming earnings release of Blue Bird will be of great interest to investors. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $1.22, indicating a 2.52% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $498.7 million, up 25.3% from the year-ago period.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $4.74 per share and a revenue of $1.74 billion, representing changes of +8.22% and +17.88%, respectively, from the prior year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Blue Bird should also be noted by investors. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 3.45% upward. At present, Blue Bird boasts a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

Digging into valuation, Blue Bird currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 16.66. This valuation marks a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 20.24.

One should further note that BLBD currently holds a PEG ratio of 1.02. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. The Automotive - Domestic was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.02 at yesterday's closing price.

The Automotive - Domestic industry is part of the Auto-Tires-Trucks sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 106, positioning it in the top 44% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.