Last week, we took a broad view of the domestic economy through the lens of two consumer companies. This time, let’s zoom in on a pair of firms that have weathered idiosyncratic volatility. PG&E Corp (NYSE:) and 3M Company (NYSE:) have each found themselves dealing with litigation concerns in the last few years. The former regarding a slew of issues related to its products, perhaps the most notorious one being its combat arms earplugs, while the latter faced financial liability following the devastating 2018 California wildfires.¹

Earnings Date Outliers

Both companies popped up on our radar with unusual earnings events over the next week, according to Wall Street Horizon data. PG&E reports on Thursday, April 25 BMO, with a conference call later that morning and 3M issues its Q1 2024 financial results on Tuesday, April 30 BMO, with an earnings call the same morning before the bell.

The two firms hold annual shareholder meetings during the middle of May, so we could see volatility flare up in either or both stocks then too. Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening at MMM and PCG and why they are outliers according to our data tracking.

Controversy Cools with PCG

PG&E stands out with a Q1 earnings date that is significantly earlier than usual. The California-based Utilities sector company normally issues first-quarter results on May 2, but on March 27, 2024, it confirmed its Q1 ‘24 earnings release to take place on April 25.²

Seven days earlier than the historical trend, it scores a 2 DateBreaks Factor*. Our research suggests that when an earnings date occurs earlier than usual, there are typically positive returns in the aggregate. 

*Wall Street Horizon DateBreaks Factor: statistical measurement of how an earnings date (confirmed or revised) compares to the reporting company’s 5-year trend for the same quarter. Negative means the earnings date is confirmed to be later than historical average while Positive is earlier.

PCG SHARES UP FROM 2 YEARS AGO, BUT WAVERING IN 2024

Well, its performance thus far on the year doesn’t exactly light up any technical screens. Through April 18, shares are down 9% in total return compared to a 2% positive performance for the Utilities sector. The S&P 500® was up 6%, dividends included, over the same time.³

Another downer is that, according to Goldman Sachs, if former President Trump is re-elected, then PG&E, seen as a potential clean energy play, could be negatively impacted if the 45th POTUS pursues changes to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).⁴ And while PCG topped earnings estimates back in February, the company announced a mixed shelf equity offering, though the amount was not disclosed.

The Options Angle

The good news is that wildfires out west are largely behind the $34 billion market cap Electric Utilities industry player. That’s evidenced by a corporate announcement on November 28, 2023, confirming that a cash dividend would be reinstated after a five-year hiatus, but the current payout is just $0.01 per quarter. As it stands, the options market has priced in a small 2.8% earnings-related stock price swing when analyzing the at-the-money straddle, according to data from Option Research & Technology Services (ORATS).

PCG 3-Year Stock Price History: Shares Rebound as Wildfire Risks Subside

Source: Stockcharts.com

2. 3M Stands Out in the Industrials Sector

While PCG sports an earlier-than-usual earnings date, MMM Q1 numbers to be released on April 30 would be a week later than normal. The resulting DateBreaks Factor is -3. 3M shares have been a roller coaster ride in the last year, but the bears have generally been in control.

The stock has met selling pressure on a few occasions in the $109 to $113 range since July of 2023. Earnings events, new information regarding various lawsuits, and settlement updates have cast clouds on the Industrials-sector large cap. Maybe indicative of the times, 3M’s market cap has fallen to $50 billion, below that of S&P 500-newcomer Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ:), which is now worth more than $55 billion.⁶

A Tempting Dividend Yield

Income-focused investors might be drawn to MMM’s high 5.6% forward dividend yield, but caution is warranted given the uncertainty around liability payouts over the years ahead. Still, the Minnesota-based Industrial Conglomerates industry stock features a trailing free cash flow yield of 10%.

C-Suite Changes

Analysts will parse through the full package of Q1 numbers, and with an unexpected CEO transition in the works (William M. “Bill” Brown was appointed chief executive officer, effective May 1, 2024), volatility could come about next week.⁷ Perhaps it’s not surprising that 3M has a later-than-normal reporting date given so much corporate news – recall that it completed the spin-off of Solventum back on April 1.⁸

ORATS data show a consensus operating EPS estimate of $1.97 which would be unchanged from a year ago while the options market has priced in a 4.5% expected stock price change.

MMM 3-Year Stock Price History: Shares Wobbling Around the $100 Mark

Source: Stockcharts.com

The Bottom Line

Earnings season has broadened out, and results so far have been decent. Volatility has perked up across sectors, however, and both PG&E and 3M are dealing with their own issues. Identifying unusual earnings dates can help investors spot potentially significant stock price moves, but keeping abreast of other macro and micro factors is critical.