On June 27 The Wall Street Journal published an article titled “Stocks Fall. Optimism Stands Tall.”
As seen in this article:
Analysts expect the S&P 500 companies to earn $99.86 a share in aggregate this year, up 2.3% from their April 1 estimate, according to FactSet. Strategists expect $95.24, according to John Butters, senior earnings analyst at FactSet. The median gap between the two groups is now 5.6%, the biggest disparity in at least three years, he says.
For 2012, the divergence is even wider: $112 a share for analysts, compared with $105 for strategists.
Yesterday a Bloomberg article concerning S&P500 sales and profits also indicated that 2011 earnings are forecast in the $99/share range, as seen in this excerpt:
Revenue gains may push S&P 500 profits to $99.08 a share this year, up 17 percent from 2010, after rising 37 percent a year earlier, the biggest two-year expansion since 1995, analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg show.
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I post various economic forecasts because I believe they should be carefully monitored. However, as those familiar with this blog are aware, I do not agree with many of the consensus estimates and much of the commentary in these forecast surveys.
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The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 1280.10 as this post is written
I read a piece today by BCA in which Chen stated profit expectations have been ratcheted down which has lowered the bar for positive surprises. So it seems there is some varying views on whether earnings are being revised up or down.