Analysts raising estimates at a record pace, again
While we have commented on the strength in US earnings estimate revisions activity recently, the latest readings warrant additional comment. Our data now show a new record (20-year+) high in the net proportion of analysts raising earnings estimates for US companies. The latest reading exceeds the recent then-record high seen at the start of this year, as shown in the chart below.
Commercial Real Estate finally on the rebound?
Among the biggest losers from COVID-19 and the resulting work-from-home trends that followed was the commercial real estate industry. Office buildings and retail stores that had been mostly full in 2019 were suddenly empty, and the companies that had been renting the space were often unable or unwilling to continue paying. And while stimulus support has helped much of the economy, the impact on commercial real estate has been more limited.
Cyclical sectors still dominating globally on earnings trends
As we discussed in our last commentary, analysts continue to raise earnings estimates broadly as companies keep beating consensus expectations. Expectations of additional fiscal spending and ongoing easy monetary policy along with progress toward re-opening of the economy are key macro drivers, while certain sectors such as Energy and Financials which had been areas of weakness in pre-COVID and immediate post-COVID times are now contributing more positively to the earnings outlook. This is true in the US and also globally.
Analysts still can’t keep up with surging earnings
Earnings reports for Q1 are coming in very hot once again, even after several consecutive quarters of beating consensus expectations. Analysts seem to still be struggling to keep up with the strength in US earnings, and continue to raise their earnings estimates.
To be fair, analysts have never had to deal with the level of volatility and uncertainty in the macroeconomy that has been seen in the last year or so. The shock of COVID-19 and associated shutdowns in economic activity, followed by unprecedented levels of fiscal and monetary stimulus, and the record-breaking speed of vaccine development are all extraordinary events that most analysts following individual companies are not traditionally prepared to incorporate into their earnings forecasts. The limitations on travel and uncertainty among company executives themselves are also likely hampering analysts in producing their earnings forecasts.
Tech fundamentals still favor Hardware over Software
While the Technology sector has been less dominant in terms of returns this year than it was last year, it remains the largest sector in the US market by value and the focus of much investor attention.
Our view within the Technology sector for some time now has been to favor hardware-related industries over software-related or services areas, and the latest update of both bottom-up and top-down indicators continues to support this view.
S&P 500 earnings have fully recovered, but with wide differences among sectors
The S&P 500 has reported another strong earnings season for Q4, with 79% of companies beating consensus earnings estimates for the quarter. This would be the third highest such reading in Factset’s data since 2008. The beat rate for top-line sales was similarly high at 77%. Aggregate income for the index is about 4% above year-ago levels, indicating that net income on a quarterly basis has fully recovered pre-COVID levels based on Factset’s data.
Semis vs Software trade now favors Semis
Within the broad Technology sector, there are often significant divergences among the various industries. A key intra-sector industry relationship that many investors use as a touchstone is the relative performance of Semiconductors versus Software.
These two industries capture different parts of the Technology ecosystem. Due to their widespread use in so many devices and products, the Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment industry reflects demand for hardware, both within Technology (servers, PCs, phones) and in other sectors (e.g. autos), and thus tends to be much more cyclical. Software tends to be much more stable, with more recurring revenue, and nowadays is closer to a service-type industry. There is much less chance of major “shortages” or “oversupply” of software of the kind that semiconductor makers must often deal with.
US earnings estimate revisions trends remain strong amid Q4 earnings season
While certain heavily shorted stocks are getting much of the attention lately due to retail-driven price surges, the bigger picture news is Q4 earnings reports and analyst behavior.
We track earnings estimates for a broad universe of about 2300 US stocks (market cap of $200 million and up) and construct estimate revisions indicators using two key metrics: breadth and magnitude. Breadth is the net proportion of analysts raising versus lowering estimates for a stock, which is -100% if all analysts are cutting their earnings estimates and +100% if all are raising estimates (0 indicates a balance between positive and negative revisions, or no activity at all). We look at this proportion based on revisions that occurred over the last 100 calendar days (about one quarterly reporting cycle).
Politics aside, earnings estimates are still improving
While the headlines and market reactions are dominated by the US election results right now, it is worth keeping in mind the news on corporate earnings trends. More than 75% of companies have now reported Q3 earnings, and the results have been extremely strong relative to expectations. The results have not, however, been immediately greeted with positive price responses. Market action being attributed to the election may also be influenced by a lagged response to earnings reports.
Is the rebound in earnings estimate revisions peaking?
Our measures of aggregated earnings estimate revisions trends have shown some of their most dramatic movements on record this year, and now may be looking extended.
After reaching historically extreme negative readings in April/May amid the initial COVID-19 lockdowns, earnings estimate revisions activity has now lurched back up to extremely positive readings. Better-than-expected Q2 earnings reports and the effects of massive monetary and fiscal stimulus are now finally reflected in analyst earnings forecasts. However, with fiscal stimulus weakening (and little imminent sign of movement toward new stimulus) and no meaningful further scope for interest rate cuts, the “snap-back” in earnings estimate activity could soon drop off.