Updated
Updated · Yahoo Finance · Aug 31
S&P 500 Bull Case Strengthens on 52% Q2 Earnings Growth as 86% Beat Estimates
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Finance · Aug 31

S&P 500 Bull Case Strengthens on 52% Q2 Earnings Growth as 86% Beat Estimates

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Finance · Aug 31

Summary

  • Rising profit forecasts and fewer analyst estimate cuts are emerging as the next potential catalyst for stocks after a summer rally to record highs.
  • FactSet data show about 86% of S&P 500 companies beat EPS estimates, above the five-year 78% average, while reported earnings are running 26.5% above forecasts.
  • Second-quarter earnings growth stands at 52%, which would be the index's fastest pace since Q2 2021 if the final figure holds.
  • Evercore and Goldman strategists said estimates are improving across sales, earnings and free cash flow, though they flagged oil above $100 a barrel and a hawkish Fed under Kevin Warsh as key risks.

Insights

Will the spectacular corporate earnings boom be silently suffocated by skyrocketing oil prices and a hawkish Federal Reserve?
Could the hidden weakness in the low-hire labor market suddenly derail the historic stock market rally this fall?