It's time for round three in the fourth quarter! In my previous two attempts to name stocks worth avoiding this earnings season, I cautioned against a total of six companies that investors should tread lightly around. In all cases so far, I've either been correct or I'm still waiting for an earnings report.
Today I intend to narrow my focus solely to companies that are scheduled to report next week. I've uncovered what I suspect will be three earnings reports that investors will wish they had buried in the sand by week's end. While these aren't recommendations to sell, they do serve as warning that I feel significant risk is built into the stock price prior to this quarter's earnings release.
So, without further ado, the three companies are...
Dell
It seems with each passing quarter that Dell's earnings report grows less and less relevant. Tablets, smartphones, and laptops from the likes of Apple
Dell's primary advantage over the laptop and tablet sector is in its lower pricing. Sure, desktops are bulky eyesores, but they are dirt cheap relative to laptops. Unfortunately, Dell has been unable to take advantage of its competitive pricing power, and between competition from Hewlett-Packard
Beazer Homes
What's worse than being a publicly traded company in the housing sector? The answer: being perhaps the worst company within the housing sector. I find it mildly miraculous that Beazer has avoided bankruptcy so far, but a few more quarters in the red could do the trick.
Having not turned a full-year profit since 2006, Beazer Homes has now missed consensus estimates five consecutive quarters -- and these aren't small misses, either. Beazer has reported losses which have been an average of 66% worse than projections in that span. Primarily responsible for Beazer's losses are precipitously falling housing prices and a glut of foreclosed homes crowding the marketplace. Year-over-year sales for the homebuilder have fallen for four straight quarters, so perhaps the only bright spot will be the expected 12% increase analysts are currently forecasting. Still, Beazer is nothing more than a cash-burning machine at present, and its foundation looks like one made of toothpicks, not stone. I'd avoid it.
NetEase.com
NetEase.com is cheap and based in China -- a combination the market has not been kind to over the last year. Since the company is at a mere 11 times forward earnings and has four straight earnings beats under its belt, I'm going out on a limb with this call, but for good reason.
Chinese peers SINA
Foolish forecast
It remains to be seen if I will be adding to my winning streak in the coming week or if my luck will finally run out. Either way, you can follow along as I add these plays to my Motley Fool CAPS portfolio, which tracks every recommendation I make.
What do you think is in the cards for these companies? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and consider adding Dell Computer, Beazer Homes, and NetEase.com to your free and personalized watchlist to keep up on the latest news and earnings releases with each company.