Corporate Earnings Estimates Optimistic for 2021 and 2022

By Tom Burnett CFA   The most recent (January 15, 2021) FACTSET report on earnings forecasts for the S/P 500 Index reflects growing analysts’ optimism over 2021 and 2022 prospects.  The consensus outlook for the 2020 fourth quarter is a decline of 6.8% from the year-earlier quarter.  This decline…

By Tom Burnett CFA   On January 8, 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the employment data for the prior month.   After job growth accelerated from the April low, total employment decreased in December by 140,000.  In the prior month, revised figures showed an increase of 336,000.  The…

By Tom Burnett CFA On January 5, 2021, the World Bank issued its updated economic prospects forecast.  The Bank issues its global GDP forecasts in June and January of each year.  The latest report is a somewhat more optimistic set of forecasts compared to the conclusions reached in June 2020 report…

By Tom Burnett CFA   Investors experienced extremely volatile market movements in 2020.  Off to a good start, the stock market rallied into February until fears of a global Covid-19 outbreak brought advances to a halt.  The March-April sell off was brutal and immediate as investors rightly feared that…

By Tom Burnett CFA   On December 16, 2020, the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee released its December Policy Statement.  Following a two-day meeting, the Fed made a clear announcement that it intends to maintain its “accommodating” policies until the economy recovers from the Covid-19 outbreak…