Zacks Earnings Preview: America's Car-Mart, Fleetwood Enterprises and JoS A. Bank Clothiers.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This week's list includes America's Car-Mart (Nasdaq: CRMT), Fleetwood Enterprises (NYSE: FLE) and JoS. A. Bank Clothiers (Nasdaq: JOSB). To see more earnings analysis, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=3207.

Earnings Preview is written by Charles Rotblut, CFA, Senior Market Analyst for Zacks.com.

Last week's volatility could be followed by more volatility this week. A few important economic reports will be matched by a probable drop in earnings estimate revisions, leaving traders to speculate as to what is going to happen in the first quarter and beyond. Expected cold temperatures could cause oil prices to rise even further. On the geopolitical front, the commission led by James Baker and Lee Hamilton will release their bipartisan report on Iraq. Although the report won't directly impact market direction, it will generate a lot of discussion. Oil traders may keep an eye on the political fallout with a focus of trying to figure out whether Middle East policy will change as a result of the report.

Tuesday brings revised third-quarter productivity, October factory orders and the November ISM non-manufacturing survey. The New York Fed Manufacturing Index and the October FOMC meeting notes will be released on Wednesday, potentially causing a an increase in volume and volatility during the afternoon session. Initial jobless claims, as always, will be released on Thursday. November employment numbers will be published before the open on Friday, followed by the 10 a.m. release of the University of Michigan's preliminary December consumer confidence index.

The FOMC will hold its final meeting of the year on Dec 12. Rates are not expected to change.

The year's final IPOs could be completed next week. Among the offerings on deck are footwear maker Heelys, low cost airline Allegiant Travel Company and coal and natural gas partnership Penn Virginia.

Companies That Could Surprise During the Week of Dec 4 - 8

JoS. A. Bank Clothiers (Nasdaq: JOSB) is the only company reporting next week with a recent upward revision in quarterly earnings estimates. Over the past 30 days, two of the five covering analysts adjusted their forecasts, causing the consensus to rise by a penny to 30 cents per share. Investors should note that the 60-day old estimate was also at 30 cents per share, so this is not a very strong signal.

JOSB did beat second-quarter estimates by three cents and has topped expectations during three out of the past four quarters, so a positive surprise is not out of the realm of possibilities. JoS. A. Bank will report on Thursday, Dec 7, before the start of trading.

America's Car-Mart (Nasdaq: CRMT) warned that it would likely report a second-quarter loss in a range of 16 to 20 cents per share; analysts had been expecting a profit of 32 cents per share. The company said that a greater proportion of customers were having difficulties making payments. In addition, comparable store-sales were down. Analysts cut their projections to a loss of 18 cents per share, as well as materially lowering projections for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008. CRMT has missed expectations during three out of the past four quarters. America's Car-Mart will report on Thursday, Dec 7, before the start of trading.

Fleetwood Enterprises (NYSE: FLE) said a few weeks ago that fiscal second-quarter revenues totaled approximately $528 million, a 16% decrease from a year ago. (Higher interest rates and higher fuel costs are negatively impacting the mobile home industry.) All of the covering analysts promptly lowered their fiscal second-quarter forecasts causing the consensus estimate to fall by 27 cents to a loss of 33 cents per share. FLE has missed expectations for two consecutive quarters, most recently by a margin of 15 cents. Fleetwood will report on Thursday, Dec 7.

Want to turn earnings surprises into quick profits? Learn how by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=3206.

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