** Procter & Gamble shares were modestly higher on Thursday, rising 0.3% amid a broader rally ahead of its quarterly results expected before the bell on Friday
** Consumer goods co expected to report adj EPS of $1.41, up 3.2% year-on-year, on rev of $20.41 bln vs. $20.07 in the year-ago qtr, according to LSEG
** In the last 8 quarters, P&G's rev met or beat estimates every time while EPS met or beat 7 times, per LSEG
** On Jan 23 PG cut its annual profit forecast to reflect a writedown in the value of its Gillette business, but investors were heartened by its healthy margins
** Of 27 analysts covering PG, 18 rate the stock "buy" or stronger; remaining 8 recommend "hold"; median PT of $173 up 4.5% since Jan 1
** PG shares up 6.7% YTD, outperforming Dow , which is virgually flat YTD and S&P 500 consumer staples' ~3% advance over same time frame
** PG options imply a 2.8% swing for the shares, in either direction, by Fri; that compares with a 3.2% avg move for the shares on the day of results, over the last eight qtrs, according to Trade Alert
(Additional reporting by Saqib Ahmed)
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