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Chart of the week

Earnings improvement is broadening

Earnings growth is on investors’ minds, especially as it broadens beyond the big tech stocks that have shown the most improvement in the past. We believe this is a positive sign for continued equity gains.

 


Equity market performance this year has been driven by better-than-expected earnings. With big tech dominating much of this growth, some investors have become concerned about concentration risk among technology stocks. However, current forecasts suggest earnings are improving beyond big tech into other sectors.  

As of today, the market capitalization-weighted S&P 500’s earnings are forecasted to grow 10.1% in 2025 compared to 6.7% for the index’s equal-weighted counterpart, representing a gap of 3.4%. However, despite concerns about slowing jobs growth and the impact on the economy, that gap is expected to narrow in 2026 with S&P 500 earnings forecasted to grow 13.5% compared to 12% for the equal-weighted index — only a 1.5% difference.

Broadening earnings revisions should continue to support U.S. equities. Additionally, we are entering a seasonally favorable period, as the fourth quarter has historically been the best performing quarter of the year. These factors, combined with the Federal Reserve’s easing of monetary policy and improving margins, should be positive for stocks through year end.  

A broader foundation for earnings growth

Although companies benefiting most directly from AI-related capital spending are the main drivers of higher earnings, strength is no longer confined to that group. Earnings across the broader market remain solid and are expected to grow more than 10% this year and next, suggesting the risk of concentrated market leadership may not be founded.

02 June | English

Is the job market stabilizing?

After sluggish job growth in 2025, investors are looking for signs that the labor market may be stabilizing. With consumer spending driving 70% of economic activity, an improving labor market is essential to sustaining economic growth.

19 May | English

Will markets remain resilient?

Global equities have risen an annualized 11% since 2020 despite repeated shocks, as resilient growth and earnings have helped markets recover from periods of volatility. While the U.S.-Iran conflict poses near-term inflation and growth risks, markets remain constructive as earnings expectations continue to improve.

12 May | English

Earnings breadth still improving

Rising earnings estimates continue to support equities despite geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty. With profit growth broadening across S&P 500 industries, resilient corporate earnings underpin our constructive outlook for the stock market.

05 May | English