Despite the concern of higher for longer interest rates, first-quarter earnings are running 5.6% above the same period a year ago. About 78% of companies reporting first-quarter earnings are beating estimates, and they are beating those estimates by an unusually wide margin: 9.5%, well above the long-term average of 4.2% and average of 7% for the prior four quarters.
27 and only recovered when rates came down in early November. Higher oil prices helping earnings The first quarter is over, so what matters now is the perception on earnings for the rest of the year. One reason second-quarter estimates for the S & P 500 have been rising is oil profits are expected to be higher, which have benefited from a spike in oil prices.