FactSet

As companies continue to realize the effects of corporate tax cuts, an impressive phenomenon persists. As of last week, when 267 constituents of the S&P 500 had reported earnings, 79.4 percent had beaten analyst estimates — far beyond the 64-percent long-term average and the 75-percent...

The big bank earnings parade started Friday and continued into today's session, and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE: XLF) has shown muted reaction. Expectations before the earnings season were upbeat, with Factset estimating that the financial sector could report the fourth-...

Perhaps not surprisingly, data indicate the sector analysts' are most bullish on is technology. Over the past year, the Technology Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLK) and the tech-heavy PowerShares QQQ (NASDAQ: QQQ) are up 24 percent and 22.6 percent, respectively, while the S&P 500 is higher by...

The profit growth of S&P 500 companies continues to be buoyant and is one of the factors responsible for the current bull market. Early indications suggest the momentum is set to continue. With the first-quarter reporting season around the corner, here's a look at how the season is likely...

The fourth-quarter earnings season is imminent, and to capitalize on corporate financial results, knowing when sectors and companies report is key.  Around the earnings season, the chatter surrounds whether the company hits, misses or exceeds expectations. This invariably triggers at least a...

Fourth-quarter earnings season kicks off on Friday, and traders will be treated to the usual avalanche of earnings updates from financial services firms early in the reporting cycle. Short-term events such as earnings reports are the ideal occasions for leveraged exchange-traded funds. That...

The Technology Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLK) and other technology exchange-traded funds have recently slumped. A big reason why is an obvious sector rotation out of technology into financial services and other groups seen as beneficiaries of the Trump Administration's tax reform effort....

The herd mentality of piling into asset classes favored by the large majority of investors is the rationale behind crowded trades. By definition, a crowded trade is an asset class or investment theme that has attracted an unusually large number of market participants. Among the traits associated...

The second-quarter reporting season has wound down, with all companies part of the S&P 500 having already reported their calendar year second-quarter results. About 73 percent of the S&P 500 companies have reported positive earnings surprise and about 70 percent rang in sales beats,...

Dow components Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) and Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), the two largest U.S. oil companies, deliver second-quarter earnings results Friday. Earnings updates from the two titans of the U.S. oil industry are often thought to be important for energy exchange-traded...