Cerner Corporation CERN is scheduled to release second-quarter 2021 results on Jul 30, after the closing bell. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered an earnings surprise of 2.7%. Further, it beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and matched once, the average surprise being 1.9%.Q2 EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter earnings is pegged at 76 cents, suggesting an improvement of 20.6% from the year-ago quarter. The same for revenues stands at $1.44 billion, indicating growth of 8% from the year-ago reported figure.Factors to NoteCerner continues to benefit from electronic health record (EHR), electronic patient record (EPR) or electronic medical record (EMR) platforms that provide patient care in acute inpatient and outpatient settings. This is likely to get reflected in the company’s second-quarter results.Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) is projected to grow around 20% in the second quarter. Per management, the company’s capability to offset the impact of lower revenues due to the pandemic and lost earnings from divested businesses on account of its cost optimization initiatives to date have been contributing to EPS growth.Cerner Corporation Price and EPS Surprise Cerner Corporation price-eps-surprise | Cerner Corporation QuoteIn April 2021, Cerner completed the acquisition of Kantar Health — a division of Kantar Group — that will enable its Learning Health Network client group to engage with life sciences for funded research studies in a more direct manner. With this buyout, the company intends to control data to boost safety, efficiency and efficacy of clinical research throughout life sciences, pharmaceuticals and health care. It expects this buyout to contribute $40 million per quarter, around $125 million of incremental revenues in 2021.In December 2020, the company announced that it is leveraging on its deal with Xealth to enable health systems to provide new centralized digital ordering and monitoring to clients. The partnership will help health systems to select, manage and deploy digital tools and applications, while providing clinicians access to remote monitoring and better engagement with patients.Also, in the same month, Cerner made an investment in Elligo Health Research that will enable the former to ink a commercial agreement to extend the data and tools available in the Cerner Learning Health Network.These deals are likely to have contributed to the company’s second-quarter performance.Moreover, the company witnessed gross margin expansion in the first quarter driven by the improved revenue mix owing to lower outsourcing, third-party services and reimbursed travel. The trend is likely to have continued in the second quarter.Here’s What the Quantitative Model SuggestsPer our proven model, a combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. This is the case here as you will see below.Earnings ESP: Cerner has an Earnings ESP of +0.48%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Zacks Rank: The company carries a Zacks Rank #3.Other Stocks Worth a LookHere are some other medical stocks worth considering as these too have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.HillRom Holdings, Inc. HRC has an Earnings ESP of +0.56% and a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.DaVita Inc. DVA has an Earnings ESP of +0.47% and a Zacks Rank of 3.Avanos Medical, Inc. AVNS has an Earnings ESP of +15.72% and a Zacks Rank of 3. Time to Invest in Legal Marijuana If you’re looking for big gains, there couldn’t be a better time to get in on a young industry primed to skyrocket from $17.7 billion back in 2019 to an expected $73.6 billion by 2027. After a clean sweep of 6 election referendums in 5 states, pot is now legal in 36 states plus D.C. Federal legalization is expected soon and that could be a still greater bonanza for investors. Even before the latest wave of legalization, Zacks Investment Research has recommended pot stocks that have shot up as high as +285.9%. You’re invited to check out Zacks’ Marijuana Moneymakers: An Investor’s Guide. It features a timely Watch List of pot stocks and ETFs with exceptional growth potential.Today, Download Marijuana Moneymakers FREE >>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 Cerner Corporation (CERN): Free Stock Analysis Report DaVita Inc. (DVA): Free Stock Analysis Report HillRom Holdings, Inc. (HRC): Free Stock Analysis Report AVANOS MEDICAL, INC. (AVNS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research