Seventy-one percent of the 371 S&P 500 companies that reported third-quarter earnings so far this season have surpassed estimates, while nineteen percent have missed and eleven percent have matched.
According to the latest figures compiled by Thomson Reuters, sixty-two percent of companies reported revenue growth, with technology, health care and consumer staples taking the lead.
Earnings per share for the group came in 6 percent above or below analysts' estimates, on average, while revenue figures have a rate of 2 percent.
Morgan Stanley had the biggest percent surprise to the upside, followed by Goodyear Tire. In absolute dollar terms, MS is also at the top of the list, exceeding revenue estimates by 33 percent to $9.89 billion; QEP comes in second, posting $565 million in revenue, 26 percent above analysts' estimates.
Goldman Sachs had the largest percent miss to the downside, followed by Apple and Whirlpool. In absolute dollar terms, Constellation Energy revenue came in 21 percent short of estimates at $3.5 billion, while Goldman Sachs revenue was 17 percent below analysts' expectations at $8.9 billion.
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