DST Systems Inc. DST is set to report second-quarter 2017 results on Jul 27. Last quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 15.87%. Notably, DST Systemsoutperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 10.49%.Let’s see how things are shaping up prior to this announcement.Factors to ConsiderDST Systems reported encouraging first-quarter results, wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and grew year over year.We are still of the opinion that DST Systems’ business volume and massive scale of operation in Financial Services will attract new customers. Moreover, we expect steady contributions from acquisitions to support revenue growth. Continued share buybacks and dividend payments are the other encouraging factors.However, persistent decline in registered accounts, ongoing consolidation in the U.S. financial services market and stiff competition from International Business Machines Corporation IBM and Fiserv Inc. might put its fundamentals under pressure. Additionally, a high debt burden remains a major concern.DST Systems, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise DST Systems, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | DST Systems, Inc. QuoteEarnings WhispersOur proven model does not conclusively show that DST Systemsis 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 77 cents 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: DST Systemscarries a Zacks Rank #2. 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: Tech Opportunity Worth $386 Billion in 2017 From driverless cars to artifical intelligence, we've seen an unsurpassed growth of high-tech products in recent months. Yesterday's science-fiction is becoming today's reality. Despite all the innovation, there is a single component no tech company can survive without. Demand for this critical device will reach $387 billion this year alone, and it's likely to grow even faster in the future.Zacks has released a brand-new Special Report to help you take advantage of this exciting investment opportunity. Most importantly, it reveals 4 stocks with massive profit potential. See these stocks now>>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 International Business Machines Corporation (IBM): Free Stock Analysis Report DST Systems, Inc. (DST): Free Stock Analysis Report Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research