The latest GDP report for the second quarter showed that, adjusted for inflation, the U.S. economy grew at a healthy pace of 2.4% quarter-over-quarter. Not only was this better than many economists expected, but it represents an acceleration from the previous quarter’s 2.0% growth rate. Among many factors, this was due to robust consumer spending and a rebound in business spending as households and corporations adjust to the inflation shocks of the past two years.
However, these improvements have not yet provided a boost to corporate profits. The earnings season for the second quarter is halfway through and about 80% of S&P 500 companies are reporting positive earnings surprises while 64% have positive revenue surprises, according to FactSet. However, this is due to very low expectations among Wall Street analysts. All told, blended earnings growth for the S&P 500 likely declined in the second quarter, making for the third straight quarter of falling profits.
For the full year, 2023 will likely experience flat earnings growth. According to Refinitiv, the current consensus earnings-per-share estimate for 2023 is just under $214, compared to $215 last year. Despite these challenges, there are two important facts to keep in mind.
First, these same forecasts also anticipate an earnings recovery, possibly beginning in the fourth quarter. So, while growth in 2023 may be flat, growth over the next twelve months is expected to be a healthy 8%. Analysts also expect 2024 and 2025 to each generate 12% earnings growth. Although these numbers will likely come down, this would be a healthy rebound after this year’s earnings pause. What happens over the next year should drive markets more than what’s already in the rearview mirror.
Second, it’s not unusual for corporations to experience temporary profitability slumps. Recent earnings downturns occurred during the pandemic recession, in 2019 during a period of slowing growth, in 2015 and 2016 when oil prices collapsed, and many other periods. Today, this is due to the ongoing recovery in inflation and the various factors that are impacting each sector.
Tech, for instance, has experienced sizable layoffs but also high demand for artificial intelligence-related hardware and tools. Financials are stabilizing after the banking crisis earlier this year and many of the largest diversified banks have benefited. Energy sector profits surged last year as oil prices jumped but this has turned around. All in all, eight of the eleven S&P 500 sectors are expected to experience positive earnings growth in the coming year.
This year’s rally and potentially flat earnings growth make valuing the broad market more difficult. Most valuation measures use numbers based on either the trailing twelve months or the next twelve months, both of which encompass difficult economic periods. If earnings do accelerate after a temporary slump then current valuations will appear to be artificially expensive.
Thus, it’s important for investors to maintain a multi-year perspective in this environment, especially because earnings can always be volatile quarter-to-quarter. Focusing on the aggregate trends, while being aware of short-term events that distort the numbers, can help investors to see past temporary bumps and focus on their long-term goals.
Indexes are unmanaged and it’s not possible to invest directly in an index. The S&P 500 Total Return Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of the 500 largest U.S. publicly traded companies. The S&P 500 Price Return Index represents the returns generated by the prices changes of the 500 largest U.S. publicly traded companies.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
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