US earnings still powering ahead

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A frequent focus point for the media is whether a company “beat” its earnings forecasts or not. But the definition of a beat or miss is poorly constructed, and often misleading. For me, changes in forward estimates are a more reliable indicator of whether a reporting season is progressing well or not. On that basis, despite a few individual mishaps, the US market is still the belle of the ball.

Beats or misses can be misleading

Facebook last week reported strong 2nd Quarter earnings, beating consensus by 1.8%. Chalk up another win for earnings beats. But, the stock fell 20% as forward guidance was slashed:

Facebook earnings forecasts

Source: Factset

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Closer to home, last week Nufarm warned that it won’t meet analyst forecasts for the year ended July 31 and analyst forecasts fell around 30% to from 42c to 30c per share:

Nufarm Earnings forecasts

Source: Factset

Because Nufarm hasn’t reported yet, this is neither a beat or a miss. However, say Nufarm reports 31c in six week’s time, then that will be recorded as a beat – as it is higher than the 30c currently forecast. i.e. a company that recorded a massive downgrade in earnings just prior to the end of it’s financial year will be treated as a winner in the earnings beat analyst forecasts from the day before the result.

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Just as big of an issue is normalised earnings. Analysts interpret the profit and exclude certain items from the analysis – but these vary analyst by analyst. So, one analyst can think the company beat consensus and another look at the same numbers and think the company missed due to different definitions.

A better guide

So what should you look at? If you don’t have time to do the full analysis, the better place to look is usually forward earnings – although keep in mind that forward earnings will take a number of days to “catch up” to announcements.

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On a forward basis, so far the trends we are seeing in this earning season largely match our expectations.

US earnings still being revised upwards:

US Earnings Forecasts

Source: Factset

Eurozone earnings trying to hold on:

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Eurozone Earnings Forecasts

Source: Factset

Non-Eurozone Europe forward earnings looking good – actual earnings diverging though:

Non-eurozone Europe Earnings Forecasts

Source: Factset

Australian earnings wallowing:

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Australian Earnings Forecasts

Source: Factset

Japanese earnings coming off their peak:

Japan Earnings Forecasts

Source: Factset

Sector changes over the last month:

World Earnings Forecasts by Sector

Source: Factset

Damien Klassen is Head of Investments at the Macrobusiness Fund, which is powered by Nucleus Wealth.

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The information on this blog contains general information and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Damien Klassen is an authorised representative of Nucleus Wealth Management, a Corporate Authorised Representative of Integrity Private Wealth Pty Ltd, AFSL 436298.