For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 21, 2023– Zacks Director of Research Sheraz Mian says, "Q3 earnings estimates in the aggregate are barely down since June 27th, with estimates modestly up when negative revisions to the >> Energy or Finance sector estimates are excluded."

Current Earnings Outlook Reflects Stability

Note: The following is an excerpt from this week's Earnings Trends report. You can access the full report that contains detailed historical actual and estimates for the current and following periods, please click here>>>

Here are the key points:

• There has been a notable improvement in the earnings outlook in recent months, with positive revisions for several key sectors since the start of Q2 helping offset continued pressure on estimates for others. These cross-currents have helped keep the overall earnings picture essentially unchanged since April 2023.
• For 2023 Q3, total S&P 500 earnings are currently expected to be down -1.8% from the same period last year on +0.8% higher revenues, the 4^th back-to-back quarter of declining earnings for the index.
• Excluding the drag from the Energy sector, whose earnings are expected to decline -40.0% in Q3, earnings for the other 15 Zacks sectors in the S&P 500 index would be up +3.5% on +3.5% higher revenues.
• Estimates for 2023 Q3 are holding up much better than had been the case in the comparable periods of other recent quarters. In fact, Q3 earnings estimates in the aggregate are barely down since June 27^th, with estimates modestly up when negative revisions to the Energy or Finance sector estimates are excluded.

We have regularly been flagging the steady improvement in the revisions trend since April 2023, with the trend becoming more entrenched in recent months. In order to see this improvement, we have to look below the index level to appreciate the cross-current in estimates at the sector levels.

The aggregate Q3 earnings estimate for the S&P 500 index has declined about -0.5% since the start of the period, with rising estimates for six sectors, including the Tech sector, offsetting continued weakness of varying magnitudes in the remaining sectors. Had it not been for weakness in the Energy or Finance sector estimates, the revisions trend for Q3 for the S&P 500 index would be modestly positive since the start of the period.

In addition to the Tech sector, Q3 estimates have moved higher for the Construction, Autos, Medical, Retail, and Industrials sectors.

For the Tech sector, you can see this favorable revisions trend in estimates for operators like Meta Platforms (META Quick QuoteMETA - Free Report) , Alphabet (GOOGL Quick QuoteGOOGL - Free Report) , Nvidia (NVDA Quick QuoteNVDA - Free Report) and others.

The magnitude of positive revisions that Nvidia is experiencing is in a league of its own.

But the gains in estimates at Alphabet, Meta, and others are as material and indicative of the overall improving earnings outlook.

The long-feared recession doesn't show up in this near-term earnings outlook. A big-picture view of corporate profitability on a long-term basis doesn't leave much room for a recession either.

Given the emerging consensus on the 'soft-landing' outlook for the economy, one can expect this favorable turn in the overall earnings picture to strengthen further as companies report Q3 results and share trends in underlying business.

Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?

Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +6.2 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +46.4%, +49.5% and +55.2% per year. Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.

See Stocks Free >>

Follow us on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

https://www.zacks.com

Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss.This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.