Avnet, Inc. AVT is slated to release its second-quarter fiscal 2018 results on Jan 25. The question lingering on investors’ minds is whether this electronic components distributor will be able to post a positive earnings surprise this time around. Notably, Avnet has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 5.3%.For the quarter under review, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues and earnings are pegged at $4.43 billion and 72 cents, respectively.What the Zacks Model Unveils?According to the Zacks model, a company with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or #3 (Hold) has a good chance of beating estimates if it also has a positive Earnings ESP. The Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or #5) are best avoided.Avnet has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +1.39%. This indicates a likely positive surprise. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Factors to ConsiderThe company has been taking major restructuring steps to streamline its business in the past few months. In doing so, Avnet divested its Technology Solution business and currently deals in Electronics Marketing. Notably, the divestment of its troubled Technology Solution business has allowed Avnet to focus on high growth areas such as marketing electronic components and related products in the supply chain. We believe, its efforts are paying off as reflected in its last few quarterly results. Benefits from these initiatives are expected to continue and positively impact the company’s results in the soon-to-be reported quarter.The company has been aggressively expanding in the Internet of Things (IoT) through acquisitions and partnerships, which is expected to positively impact its second-quarter results. Over the last year, the company has entered into several partnerships, including one with AT&T T, and carried out acquisitions such as that of Dragon Innovation, Premier Farnell and Hackster.io.Additionally, the company’s continuous share buyback initiative is anticipated to be beneficial for the bottom line in the second quarter.Nonetheless, we are slightly skeptical about its bottom-line performance due to the near-term challenges it faces. On the first-quarter earnings call, Avnet highlighted that change in supplier channel and program had negatively impacted its first-quarter margins. We believe that this may continue to be a drag this quarter.Avnet, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise Avnet, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Avnet, Inc. QuoteSome Other Stocks With a Favorable CombinationHere are some companies you may also want to consider as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat:Facebook, Inc. FB has an Earnings ESP of +2.04% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Apple Inc. AAPL has an Earnings ESP of +1.12% and a Zacks Rank #3.Wall Street’s Next AmazonZacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.Click for details >>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 Facebook, Inc. (FB): Free Stock Analysis Report AT&T Inc. (T): Free Stock Analysis Report Apple Inc. (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report Avnet, Inc. (AVT): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.