F5 Networks Inc. FFIV is set to report third-quarter 2017 results on Jul 26. Last quarter, the company posted a negative earnings surprise of 3.95%. Notably, F5 Networks outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 1.17%.Let’s see how things are shaping up prior to this announcement.Factors to ConsiderF5 Networks reported dismal second-quarter fiscal 2017 results with both the bottom line and top line missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, year-over-year comparisons on both counts were favorable.It is worth mentioning that the company’s GBB pricing strategy and its BIG-IQ platform remain tailwinds. Revenue growth seems to be steady and was positively impacted by strength across all its business segments along with higher software revenues.We believe that the company’s product refreshes will boost revenues, going forward. Moreover, the initiatives are expected to expand its total addressable market and result in client wins.Better execution and focus on enterprise and service providers have placed F5 Networks well in the application delivery controller market. Nevertheless, a volatile spending atmosphere and competition from Juniper Networks Inc. JNPR remain concerns.F5 Networks, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise F5 Networks, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | F5 Networks, Inc. QuoteEarnings WhispersOur proven model does not conclusively show that F5 Networksis likely to beat earnings this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. But that is not the case here, as you will see below.Zacks ESP: Both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate are pegged at $1.59 per share. Hence, the difference is 0.00%.You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Zacks Rank:F5 Networks carries a Zacks Rank #3. Though Zacks Rank #1, 2 or 3 increases the predictive power of ESP, the company’s ESP of 0.00% makes surprise prediction difficult.We caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 and 5 (Sell rated) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is witnessing negative estimate revisions.Stocks to ConsiderHere are a couple of companies which, as per our model, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter:Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated VRTX, with an Earnings ESP of +33.33% and a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Allegiant Travel Company ALGT, with an Earnings ESP of +0.34% and a Zacks Rank #2.More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone! It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020. Click here for the 6 trades >>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 Allegiant Travel Company (ALGT): Free Stock Analysis Report F5 Networks, Inc. (FFIV): Free Stock Analysis Report Juniper Networks, Inc. (JNPR): Free Stock Analysis Report Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research