Applied Materials is among the stocks reporting next week with earnings momentum

Earnings momentum could serve as a catalyst for stocks such as Applied Materials that are reporting their latest quarterly results next week. Next week serves as a breather after the earnings season mania of the past few weeks. Just eight stocks in the S & P 500 and one component in the Dow Jones Industrial Average are on the docket to post results. Still, analysts have been ratcheting higher expectations on certain names — suggesting positive momentum is on their side. CNBC Pro screened FactSet data to identify the S & P 500 companies posting quarterly results next week that have also seen accelerated earnings momentum recently. To be included in the table below, stocks had to meet the following criteria: Earnings estimates revised up by at least 10% in the past three and past six months Have an average analyst price target implying upside of at least 10% One stock seeing improved earnings estimates is Applied Materials, which reports Thursday. Analysts on average have increased their earnings estimates on the chipmaker by 54% over the past three months and 46% over the past six months. On Monday, Morgan Stanley reiterated its overweight rating on the name and listed it as a top pick. "Expectations are not low for AMAT, but we think AMAT keeps pace with peers with another strong beat & raise," wrote analyst Shane Brett. …