S&P 500 Earnings Season Update: July 22, 2022

The second-quarter earnings season for the S&P 500 continues to be weaker than normal. Both the number of S&P 500 companies reporting positive earnings surprises and the magnitude of these positive surprises are below their five-year averages. However, the index has a higher earnings growth rate for the second quarter today relative to the end of the quarter mainly due to continued upward revisions to EPS estimates for companies in the Energy sector. On a year-over-year basis, the S&P 500 is reporting its lowest earnings growth since Q4 2020. The lower earnings growth rate for Q2 2022 relative to recent quarters can be attributed to both a difficult comparison to unusually high earnings growth in Q2 2021 and continuing macroeconomic headwinds.

A Below-Average Share of Companies Are Beating Earnings Estimates

Overall, 21% of the companies in the S&P 500 have reported actual results for Q2 2022 to date. Of these companies, 68% have reported actual EPS above estimates, which is below the five-year average of 77%. In aggregate, companies are reporting earnings that are 3.6% above estimates, which is also below the five-year average of 8.8%.

Despite the below-average performance relative to estimates, the index has a higher earnings growth rate for the second quarter today relative to the end of last week and relative to the end of the quarter. The blended (combines actual results for companies that have reported and estimated results for companies that have yet to report) earnings growth rate for the second quarter is 4.8% today, compared to an earnings growth rate of 4.1% last week and an earnings growth rate of 4.0% at the end of the second quarter (June 30).

Upward revisions to EPS estimates for companies in the Energy sector and positive earnings surprises reported by companies in the Health Care sector were substantial contributors to the increase in the earnings growth rate over the past week. Upward revisions to EPS estimates for companies in the Energy sector have been the largest contributor to the overall increase in earnings for the index since the end of the second quarter (June 30).

If 4.8% is the actual growth rate for the quarter, it will mark the lowest earnings growth rate reported by the index since Q4 2020 (4.0%). Six of the 11 sectors are reporting year-over-year earnings growth, led by the Energy and Industrials sectors. On the other hand, five sectors are reporting a year-over-year decline in earnings, led by the Financials sector.

Revenues Beats Are Also Coming in Below Average

In terms of revenues, 65% of S&P 500 companies have reported actual revenues above estimates, which is below the five-year average of 69%. In aggregate, companies are reporting revenues that are 1.3% above the estimates, which is also below the five-year average of 1.8%.

Despite the below-average performance relative to estimates, the index has a higher revenue growth rate for the second quarter today relative to the end of last week and relative to the end of the quarter. The blended revenue growth rate for the second quarter is 10.9% today, compared to a revenue growth rate of 10.1% last week and a revenue growth rate of 10.1% at the end of the second quarter (June 30). Upward revisions to revenue estimates for companies in the Energy sector have been the largest contributor to both the increase in the revenue growth rate since the end of last week and the increase in the revenue growth rate since the end of the quarter (June 30).

If 10.9% is the actual growth rate for the quarter, it will mark the sixth-straight quarter of year-over-year revenue growth above 10% for the index. All 11 sectors are reporting a year-over-year growth in revenues, led by the Energy, Materials, and Real Estate sectors.

Looking Ahead to the Rest of 2022

Looking ahead, analysts expect earnings growth of 9.2% for Q3 2022 and 8.7% for Q4 2022. For CY 2022, analysts are predicting earnings growth of 9.8%.

The forward 12-month P/E ratio is 16.7, which is below the five-year average (18.6) and below the 10-year average (17.0). However, it is above the forward P/E ratio of 15.8 recorded at the end of the second quarter (June 30), as the price of the index has increased while the forward EPS estimate has decreased (slightly) since June 30.

During the upcoming week, 175 S&P 500 companies (including 12 Dow 30 components) are scheduled to report results for the second quarter.

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