Sonus Networks (SONS) is due to report Q3 earnings results after the bell tonight, and analysts polled by Thomson Reuters are expecting a loss of $0.02 per share on $69.6 million in sales.

SONS is holding to a long-term widening pattern over the last four years, crossing more aggressive next-day trade following an after-hours earnings release in nine of the last 15 quarters. In other words, the stock tends to consistently increase gains or losses from the after-hours to the follow day's close.

In the near-term, the stock is maintaining the widening pattern, posting more aggressive next-day percentage trade in three of four quarters.

On Aug. 11, 2008, the stock fell 16.9%. the loss was trimmed just slightly and the stock closed the following day's regular trading down 16.7%.

On May 8, 2008, SONS advanced 4.1% in after-hours trade after reporting an unexpected Q1 profit. The stock leaped higher the next day, rising 10% by the May 9 closing bell.

On Feb. 28, 2008, SONS declined 8% in evening trade after just missing Q4 revenue expectations. The stock headed further south the following day, losing 14% by the close.

On Nov. 8, 2007, SONS edged up 0.8% in after-hours trade after topping sales expectations. It firmed 6.3% by the closing bell on Nov. 9.

There is no question that short term trading is the best way to reign in profits while the broad market at best stagnates. 

Stay tuned to the after-hours stock news reports this evening to determine how SONS is reacting to its earnings announcement and go with the market. On average, the stock extends gains or losses from the after-hours to the following day's regular session close by 4%. Not a bad profit for an investment of less than 24 hours.

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