U.S. Earnings Growth May Broaden Beyond Mega-Cap Technology

U.S. earnings growth may be broadening beyond mega-cap technology as investor focus shifts to third-quarter results next week, with several nontechnology sectors projected to deliver more than 50% year-over-year gains.

Third-quarter consensus estimates put S&P 500 revenue growth at 1.2% from a year earlier and earnings growth at 45%. Both growth rates have declined from the previous quarter.

Sector projections point to a wider earnings contribution. Energy, information technology, materials and health care are each projected to report more than 50% year-over-year earnings growth.

The projections indicate that nontechnology sectors are expected to play a larger role in overall U.S. earnings growth. That would broaden the earnings picture beyond the market’s largest technology companies.

Investor attention is expected to turn to third-quarter earnings next week after U.S. stocks showed less sensitivity to interest-rate movements during a long holiday period.