We expect Kimberly Clark Corporation KMB to beat expectations when it reports first-quarter 2016 results on Apr 22, before the market opens. Last quarter, the company posted a negative earnings surprise of 1.39%. However, it has managed to surpass estimates in three of the trailing four quarters with an average surprise of 2.60%. Let us see what’s in store for the company this quarter. Why a Likely Positive Surprise? Our proven model shows that Kimberly-Clark is likely to beat earnings because it has the right combination of two key components. Zacks ESP: The Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is +1.33%. This is a very meaningful and leading indicator of a likely positive earnings surprise. Zacks Rank: Kimberly-Clark has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Note that stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), #2 or #3 (Hold) have a significantly higher chance of beating earnings. Meanwhile, Sell-rated stocks (#4 or 5) should never be considered going into an earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions. The combination of Kimberly-Clark’s Zacks Rank #2 and +1.33% ESP makes us confident of an earnings beat. What is Driving the Better-than-Expected Earnings? Kimberly-Clark’s cost saving initiatives and continued product innovation have been driving earnings for the past many quarters. The company also achieved higher organic sales on the back of volume growth and better pricing in the last seven consecutive quarters. We expect the same trend in the to-be-reported quarter. The company has also initiated a restructuring program in order to improve organizational efficiency and underlying profitability, increase the company's flexibility to invest in targeted growth initiatives and offset overhead costs stemming from the spin-off of its health care business into a new company called Halyard Health, Inc. HYH in 2014. The initiative, which will be completed in 2016, will generate meaningful cost savings for the company. The company also expects to return value to its shareholders through share buybacks in the quarter, which will boost earnings growth. Other Stocks to Consider Here are some other companies in the consumer staples sector that investors may consider, as our model shows that they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter: Altria Group, Inc. MO with an Earnings ESP of +1.47% and a Zacks Rank #2. Tupperware Brands Corporation TUP with an Earnings ESP of +2.33% and a Zacks Rank #2. 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 >>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 KIMBERLY CLARK (KMB): Free Stock Analysis Report TUPPERWARE BRND (TUP): Free Stock Analysis Report HALYARD HEALTH (HYH): Free Stock Analysis Report ALTRIA GROUP (MO): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research