Optimism in Wall Street for S&P 500 Earnings Growth

Optimism in Wall Street for S&P 500 Earnings Growth: Analysts are rapidly increasing earnings forecasts for this quarter,
marking the fastest rate of adjustment in two years and suggesting that the worst period of profit downturns for Corporate America might be over.

 

Content

Positive Results

Resilience of the American Economy

American Stock Index

Signs of Economic Weakness

Analysts Expectations

Earnings Announcements

 

 

 

 

Positive Results

Nearly 90% of companies in the S&P 500 Index have reported their results this season,
and positive outcomes from the first quarter have led Wall Street to enhance profit projections
for the upcoming three months through June, according to Bloomberg Intelligence data.

 

Resilience of the American Economy

The American economy’s resilience and strong consumer demand are expected to sustain earnings growth
for the third consecutive quarter after a period of three-quarters of profit decline.
Bloomberg Intelligence reports that the energy and materials sectors, closely tied to the economic cycle, are leading these profit upgrades.

A senior analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, Wendy Soong, commented,
“This is a promising indicator for the trajectory of US stocks this year as it shows that
more analysts are upgrading their company estimates after realizing previous predictions were overly pessimistic,
which aids in supporting operating margins.”

 

American Stock Index

The primary index for American stocks is anticipated to achieve a 7.1% earnings growth
for the January to March quarter, surpassing the pre-season estimates of 3.8%.

A key metric, earnings-revision momentum—which tracks changes in expected earnings per share over the next twelve months
—has hit its highest mark since September,
indicating potential further upward adjustments in analysts’ forecasts in the near future.

This outlook is encouraging for a market nearing record highs,
even as the Federal Reserve plans to maintain higher interest rates for an extended period.

 

Signs of Economic Weakness

Thomas Martin, a senior portfolio manager at Globalt Investments, stated,
“This is certainly a positive sign because I focus on investing in companies whose estimates are being raised,
as these stocks are likely to have favorable earnings prospects.”
His firm actively purchases shares in industrial companies linked to data center infrastructure projects.

However, recent signs of economic fragility could raise concerns about future profit expectations.
US employers reduced hiring in April, and the unemployment rate unexpectedly increased.

 

 

 

 

Analysts Expectations

Interestingly, despite the raised estimates for the second quarter,
analysts’ projections for the entire year of 2024 have remained almost unchanged.
Wall Street predicts that S&P 500 companies will earn about $245 per share in 2024,
which is similar to last year’s forecasts, per Bloomberg Intelligence data.

Analysts are cautious about revising their second-half forecasts until more companies issue
their earnings guidance in the upcoming quarters. About 25% of S&P 500 companies offer quarterly guidance,
with around 80 already providing EPS guidance for the second quarter, showing stagnant revenue forecasts.

Traditionally, stocks respond more significantly to guidance than actual results,
and traders have penalized companies that have provided weaker-than-expected forecasts.

 

Earnings Announcements

In the current earnings reporting cycle, the average stock has performed nearly 7% worse than
the S&P 500 the day after announcing results if the company provided downward guidance on earnings and sales
According to Bloomberg Intelligence data, this is the poorest performance since early 2020.

Major US retailers like Home Depot Inc. and Walmart Inc. are set to report next week,

offering vital insights into consumer strength, economic growth trajectories, and corporate profitability.
Target Corp and Lowe’s Cos are scheduled to report the following week,
along with Nvidia Corp, the last of the so-called Magnificent Seven companies to report on May 22.

Scott Ladner, Chief Investment Officer at Horizon Investments, noted,
“The profit trajectory from here appears quite strong,
although there is increasing anxiety about whether consumers are beginning to feel the pinch.
I’m keen to see if middle-income consumers are altering their spending habits
as revenue growth has not kept pace with profit expectations.”

 

 

Optimism in Wall Street for S&P 500 Earnings Growth

The last market updates

The last important market updates: Weekend full of important economic events, and market volatility.
with Evest report you will never miss these economic events or miss the Earning season and the stock Movement

Topic
Commodities update
Japanese yen
Stocks
Earning Season
Economic Calendar  Events

 

 

Commodities update

Gold 
Gold rose toward $2,040 an ounce on Thursday, recouping losses from the previous session amid
firm expectations that the US Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates next year

Oil
WTI crude futures fell below $74 per barrel on Thursday, snapping a six-day advance as a surprise build in US crude
inventories overshadowed concerns about supply disruptions in the Middle East.

 

Japanese Yen

The Japanese yen trades at around 143 per dollar, 
BOJ disappointed markets when it kept ultra-low interest rates in place
and made no comments about possible adjustments towards policy normalization next year. 

 

Stocks

Coke: Coca-Cola Hits 4-week Low
GE: General Electric Hits Near 6-year High
CAT: Caterpillar Hits All-time High
SIE: Siemens Hits All-time High

 

Earning Season

Nike 21.12.23
CarMax  21.12.23
Carnival 21.12.23 

 

Economic Calendar Events

Thursday, December 21 2023
GDP Growth Rate QoQ Final – USA 
 Friday, December 22 2023
Inflation Rate YoY – JPY
Retail Sales MoM – GBP

GDP (QoQ) – USD 

The last important market updates

Four Giants to Announce Earnings Report

 

Four Giants to Announce Earnings Report

Four Giants to Announce Earnings Report on April 18, 2023
The earnings season is an exciting time for investors,
as it provides a glimpse into the financial health of the companies in which they have invested.

 

On April 18, 2023, four giants are scheduled to announce their earnings reports,
and this presents a great opportunity for investors to take advantage of.

These companies are Netflix, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Johnson & Johnson.

 

Topics

Growth Potential with These 4 Companies
Investing Insight into the Earning Performance
Comprehensive Investment Research

 

 

 

 

 

Growth Potential with These 4 Companies

 

Netflix, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service,
has seen a steady increase in its subscriber base over the years.

The company’s earnings report is expected to show strong growth in its revenue and earnings.
With the increasing demand for streaming services, Netflix is poised to continue its growth trajectory.


This makes it an attractive investment opportunity for those who are looking for long-term growth.

Bank of America is one of the largest banking institutions in the world.
The company’s earnings report is expected to show growth in its revenue and profits.


The bank has been expanding its services to cater to a wider customer base, and this is expected to boost its earnings.
With the economic recovery in progress, the banking sector is expected to perform well,
making Bank of America an attractive investment option.

 

Goldman Sachs is a leading investment banking firm, and its earnings report is also expected to show strong growth.
The company has been investing heavily in technology and expanding its services to diversify its revenue streams.
This strategy is expected to pay off, and investors can expect to see a positive impact on the company’s earnings.


With the overall growth of the financial services industry,
Goldman Sachs is a good investment option for those looking for long-term growth.

Johnson & Johnson is a leading multinational corporation that specializes in healthcare products.
The company’s earnings report is expected to show strong growth in its pharmaceutical division,
which has been developing new drugs and vaccines to address critical health issues.

 

The company’s medical devices and consumer health products are also expected to contribute to its revenue growth.

With the global population aging and the increasing demand for healthcare products
and services, Johnson & Johnson is an attractive investment option.

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Insight into the Earning Performance

 

These numbers provide investors with valuable information on the financial health and performance of these companies.

Bank of America’s EPS of $0.83 and YTD change of -9.37% indicate a decline
in the company’s earnings compared to the previous year.

However, it is important to note that the banking industry has been facing challenges
due to the financial crisis, and Bank of America’s earnings report may reflect this.

 

Netflix’s EPS of $2.86 and YTD change of 12.81% show strong growth
in the company’s earnings compared to the previous year.

This is consistent with the company’s position as a leading streaming entertainment service
and its increasing subscriber base.

 

Goldman Sachs’ EPS of $8.65 and YTD change of -1.89% indicate a slight decline
in the company’s earnings compared to the previous year.

Goldman Sachs is still a leading investment banking firm with a strong reputation
and a diversified portfolio of services. 

 

Johnson & Johnson’s EPS of $2.51 and YTD change of -7.03% show a decline
in the company’s earnings compared to the previous year.

This may be due to challenges in the healthcare industry,
including increased competition and regulatory changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Investment Research

 

Investors should always conduct their own research and analysis before making investment decisions.
The EPS and YTD change numbers provide a snapshot of the companies’ financial performance,
but it is important to consider other factors such as industry trends, competition,
management decisions, and overall economic conditions.


It is also important to consider the company’s financial statements, balance sheets,
and cash flow statements to get a more comprehensive understanding of its financial health.


Investors should also consider their own investment goals, risk tolerance,
and time horizon before making any investment decisions.

It is always recommended to consult a financial advisor
or do thorough research before making any investment decisions.

 

 

Assessing Q4 Performance

Assessing Q4 Performance, As the fourth quarter of 2022 ends,
investors are closely monitoring the performance of their favorite stocks.

With earnings season in full swing, now is an ideal time to take stock of how some major companies have fared.

Apple Inc., Meta Platforms, Inc., and Mastercard Incorporated are three such firms
that have recently released their Q4 earning scorecards and analyst reports for investors’ review.

 

Topics

Apple Inc.
Meta Platforms Inc.
Mastercard Inc.
Commending Large Corporations

 

 

 

 

Apple Inc.

 

Apple reported strong growth in its latest quarterly report
with revenue up 17% year-over-year from $64 billion last year to $74 billion this year
the company’s highest-ever quarterly revenue figure! The tech giant also saw record Mac sales
due largely in part to increased demand for laptops during the pandemic
as well as impressive iPhone sales despite supply constraints related to COVID-19 disruptions.

All told, Apple delivered a solid quarter that was met with positive investor sentiment driving shares higher by more than 6%.

 

Apple (AAPL) has held up better than the broader tech sector over the past year,
with shares declining 18% compared to a 23.9% drop for the Zacks Tech Sector.

This is despite lagging the S&P 500 index which has declined 13%. 

The company’s holiday season iPhone shipments are expected
to suffer from disruptions at its Chinese partner Foxconn’s factory in Zhengzhou.

 

The Zacks analyst expects Apple to ship roughly 70 million iPhones in Q1 of fiscal 2023.

Still, revenue growth is likely to decelerate due to unfavorable forex
and macroeconomic conditions and weakness in digital advertising and gaming services. 

However, there may still be some bright spots for investors looking ahead:
Apple’s growing subscriber base across its Services business should help offset these headwinds somewhat;
additionally, new product launches such as AirPods Max could also provide a boost during this period of uncertainty.

 

Investors will want to keep an eye on how these developments shape up going forward
before making any decisions about investing or divesting their AAPL holdings at this time.

 

 

 

 

Meta Platforms Inc.

 

Meta Platforms the past year has been a difficult one for Meta Platforms, as its shares have underperformed the Zacks Internet – Software industry by 53.9% vs. 48%.

The company is suffering from challenging macroeconomic conditions that are negatively impacting its advertising spending, leading to unfavorable forex, and targeting headwinds due to Apple’s iOS changes, the normalization of e-commerce after the pandemic peak, and higher inflation.

 

Furthermore, the user base in Europe declined in the reported quarter which further impacted growth prospects for Meta Platforms stock price performance over this period. 

To counter these headwinds and improve their financial position going forward, Meta has implemented various strategies such as increasing engagement on their products like Instagram messenger WhatsApp, etc., which have helped them remain afloat during these trying times despite weak advertising demand being a major drag on profits overall.

 

Additionally, they are also looking into monetizing Reels much slower than feed or stories while simultaneously exploring new avenues of revenue generation through partnerships with other companies operating within similar industries so that they can leverage each other’s customer base more effectively thereby driving up sales figures across both entities at once.

 

Overall although it may take some time before we see any tangible positive results arising out of all these efforts, nevertheless if executed properly then there is still hope yet for meta platforms shareholders who will be able to benefit from potential upside should things go according to plan.

 

 

 

 

 

Mastercard Inc.

 

Finally, we look at what Mastercard did during Q4 .

The credit card processor posted impressive numbers across critical metrics: revenues rose 14%, net income grew 23%, and adjusted EPS climbed 28% driven mainly by strong transaction volume globally despite lingering economic uncertainty caused directly or indirectly by coronavirus impacts on consumers worldwide who rely upon these services daily; along with successful cost-cutting initiatives implemented throughout 2020 helping offset any potential margin compression experienced elsewhere within operations too throughout the same timeframe mentioned above.

 

It has been a challenging year for Mastercard (MA) investors, with the stock down 5.3% over the past twelve months compared to a 10.8% decline for its peers in the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry. 

The company’s steep operating expenses have weighed on margins, while high rebates and incentives have pressured net revenues and caused its dividend yield to remain below average relative to other stocks in this space.

 

Despite these challenges, there are several reasons why Mastercard is still worth considering as an investment opportunity going forward:

1) Numerous acquisitions are helping it grow addressable markets and drive new revenue streams.
2) The COVID-19 crisis accelerated the adoption of digital and contactless solutions, providing an opportunity for MA’s business.
3) Its growing presence in the crypto universe can position it well for long-term growth.
4) Steady cash-generating abilities provide stability.
5) Strong capital position allows MA to pursue acquisitions & deploy capital efficiently.

 

Overall, while short-term headwinds may be present at times due to margin pressures or higher-than-expected incentive costs, we believe that investors should take note of these positive factors when evaluating whether they want exposure within this sector through shares of Mastercard stock.

 

 

 

 

Commending Large Corporations

 

Overall, it appears that many large corporations managed well through turbulent times brought about by global health concerns while continuing to focus on long-term strategies not only helped maintain short-term profitability levels but allowed them to secure future success amidst difficult circumstances faced since the onset of earlier part Spring 2020 when first waves virus began spreading around world prompting widespread lockdown measures taken place soon after.

As such, each respective firm discussed here today should have commended them.