The J. M. Smucker Company SJM is likely to register a decline in the bottom line when it releases third-quarter fiscal 2021 numbers on Feb 25. Although the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has moved up by a couple of cents in the past seven days to $2.21 per share, it suggests a decline of almost 6% from the year-ago quarter’s levels. Notably, the company delivered an earnings surprise of 6.7% in the last reported quarter. Further, it has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 16.6%, on average.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $2.01 billion, which indicates an increase of 1.9% from the prior-year quarter’s levels.The J. M. Smucker Company Price and EPS Surprise The J. M. Smucker Company price-eps-surprise | The J. M. Smucker Company Quote Key Factors to NoteThe J. M. Smucker has been benefiting from strength in its retail business, courtesy of increased at-home consumption amid the pandemic. Further, the company’s e-commerce channel has been doing on increase in online customers amid the pandemic. During its last earnings call, management stated that it expects low to mid-single-digit sales growth in the third quarter of fiscal 2021.Apart from these, The J. M. Smucker’s focus on strategic priorities, which include redesigning the portfolio, upgrading the commercial model and streamlining organization, bodes well. Also, boosting portfolio through innovation and prudent buyouts has been a driver.However, The J. M. Smucker expects mid-single digit year-over-year decline in adjusted earnings per share in the quarter under review. Higher reinvestments in the latter half of fiscal 2021 and the expected deceleration in gross margin in the same time frame are likely to have caused the downside. Also, the company has been grappling with rising selling, distribution and administrative expenses for a while now. Apart from these, elevated stay at-home trends have been hurting the company’s Away From Home business.What the Zacks Model UnveilsOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for The J. M. Smucker this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.The J. M. Smucker carries a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +1.60%.More Stocks With Favorable CombinationsHere are some more companies that you may want to consider as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat.Sanderson Farms, Inc. SAFM currently has an Earnings ESP of +122.02% and a Zacks Rank of 1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. GO currently has an Earnings ESP of +5.66% and carries a Zacks Rank #2.Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. OLLI currently has an Earnings ESP of +3.73% and carries a Zacks Rank #3.5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth.Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>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 The J. M. Smucker Company (SJM): Get Free Report Sanderson Farms, Inc. (SAFM): Free Stock Analysis Report Ollies Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (OLLI): Get Free Report Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (GO): Get Free Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research