Linear Technology LLTC is set to report third-quarter fiscal 2016 results on Apr 19. Last quarter, the leading OEM of analog and mixed signal semiconductors posted a positive surprise of 8.7%.Let’s see how things are shaping up for this announcement.Factors to ConsiderLinear’s second-quarter 2016 earnings of 50 cents exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4 cents. Revenues of $347.1 million were up 1.5% sequentially and were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate as well as the mid-point of the guided range.Earnings in the quarter were mainly backed by a rise in revenues and a lesser tax rate from the permanent reinstatement of the R&D tax credit.Linear’s business is well diversified among core markets, such as industrial, automotive and communications infrastructure. However, the computing business could be hit by weakness in the PC and notebook markets, thereby hurting the third-quarter results.For the fiscal third quarter, management expects revenue increase in the range of 3% to 5% sequentially. The guidance reflects weakness in the industrial market and an uncertain macroeconomic environment globally. Earnings WhispersOur proven model does not show that Linear will beat earnings this quarter. That 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. 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 50 cents. Hence, the difference is 0.00%.Zacks Rank: Linear has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).We caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Sell-rated) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.Stocks to ConsiderYou could consider the following stocks with a positive Earnings ESP and a favorable Zacks Rank:CalAmp Corp. CAMP, with an Earnings ESP of +3.70% and a Zacks Rank #1.CGI Group Inc. GIB, with an Earnings ESP of +6.25% and a Zacks Rank #1.CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. CX, with an Earnings ESP of +66.67% and a Zacks Rank #1.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 CEMEX SA ADR (CX): Free Stock Analysis Report CGI GRP INC -A (GIB): Free Stock Analysis Report CALAMP CORP (CAMP): Free Stock Analysis Report LINEAR TEC CORP (LLTC): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research