Definitions

Actual: Operating fully diluted EPS for the quarter. This figure may be adjusted from the company reported GAAP EPS for non-recurring or non-operating items as required to match the consensus estimate for the purpose of comparison. This figure may not conform to GAAP.

EPS Estimate: The consensus estimate for the quarter. Analysts publish this figure on an operating basis and may not conform to GAAP.

Apples to Apples: This is a qualitative assessment of the comparability of the accounting methodology of the actual EPS figure and the estimate. A 5 rating indicates an exact match in accounting methods. The percent surprise will not be due to differences in items included or excluded from the estimate versus the actual or from differences in tax treatment. A 4 rating reflects a possible minor difference between the estimate and the actual. The difference is not expected to skew the surprise result. A 3 rating indicates a possible mismatch that could alter the surprise result. Users should use caution when interpreting the surprise magnitude. Epssurprise.com will make a reasonable effort to obtain complete information in such cases. A 2 rating indicates a large amount of difference in accounting treatments. This may involve a large number of items with varied tax treatment. A 1 rating indicates the actual cannot be adjusted in a meaningful way to compare to the estimate.

Company Outlook: This is a qualitative assessment of the language the company uses in the “Outlook” statement within its quarterly earnings release. A 5 indicates the company makes statements suggesting a positive outlook. A 4 indicates the company makes statements suggesting a mostly positive outlook. A 3 is a neutral outlook. A 2 is a mostly negative outlook. A 1 is a negative outlook from the company. Blank means the company did not provide an outlook statement in the earnings release or it could not be interpreted in a meaningful way.