Model N Inc. MODN is scheduled to report fourth-quarter fiscal 2017 earnings on Nov 7. We expect intense competition in the revenue management software market to mar results in the soon-to-be-reported quarter.Notably, the stock beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 14.19%. Last quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 22.22%.Moreover, the company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues in two of the trailing four quarters.Model N expects fourth-quarter GAAP revenues in the range of $34.6-$35.1 million. Non-GAAP operating loss is projected between $0.5 million and $1 million. Moreover, non-GAAP net loss is expected in the range of 8-9 cents per share.Model N’s shares have returned 61.6% year to date, substantially outperforming the 29.6% rally of the industry. Key FactorsModel N is benefiting from a growing customer base, transition to cloud-based applications and synergies from the Revitas acquisition. Model N, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise Model N, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Model N, Inc. Quote The Revitas acquisition has expanded Model N’s product suite and customer base. Moreover, elimination of duplicated general & administrative and sales & marketing costs as well as redundant products outside the life sciences vertical is expected to lower spending.However, we note that the company is yet to report profit. Further, the top-line growth has been unimpressive in the last two quarters, primarily due to increasing competition from well-established players like salesforce.com CRM and Workday WDAY.Unfavorable CombinationWe believe that Model N is unlikely to deliver a positive earnings surprise in the fourth quarter due to an unfavorable combination of Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Note that stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 have a significantly higher chance of beating earnings estimates.Conversely, Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) should never be considered going into an earnings announcement.Stocks to ConsiderHere is a stock you may consider as our proven model shows it has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.NVIDIA Corporation NVDA has an Earnings ESP of +0.71% and sports a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.See the pot trades we're targeting>>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Model N, Inc. (MODN): Free Stock Analysis Report Workday, Inc. (WDAY): Free Stock Analysis Report Salesforce.com Inc (CRM): Free Stock Analysis Report NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research