Positive Surprises Tracking Above Historical Levels

BAC JPM MS

There are two aspects  to every quarterly reporting cycle that inform our judgement as to how positive or otherwise the overall picture emerging from the earnings season actually is. First, the growth rates (earnings and revenues), positive surprises and how these (growth rates/surprises) compare to historical periods. Second, how analysts are changing their estimates after seeing the earnings releases and management commentary.

On both counts, we are off to a very positive start to the Q2 earnings season.

Including all of this morning’s releases, we now have Q2 results from 69 S&P 500 members. Total earnings for these 69 companies are up +22.4% from the same period last year on +9.8% higher revenues, with 87% beating EPS estimates and 76.8% beating revenue estimates. The proportion of these 69 companies beating both EPS and revenue estimates is 69.6%.

The comparison charts below put these results in a historical context.

Results from banks are heavily represented in the sample of Q2 reported results this week. The market has been less than impressed with bank earnings, though the JPMorgan (JPM - Free Report) , Bank of America (BAC - Free Report) and Morgan Stanly (MS - Free Report) reports showed plenty positives.

For more details about the Q1 earnings season and the overall earnings picture, please check our weekly Earnings Trends report  >>>> Positive Start to Q2 Earnings Season

Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies

It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.

And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.

See Them Free>>

Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.

This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.

Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>