Note: The following is an excerpt from this week’s Earnings Trends report. You can access the full report that contains detailed historical actual and estimates for the current and following periods, please click here>>> Here are the key points: Total earnings for the 335 S&P 500 members that have reported Q4 results are up +12.9% from the same period last year on +8.9% higher revenues, with 76.4%...
Note: The following is an excerpt from this week’s Earnings Trends report. You can access the full report that contains detailed historical actual and estimates for the current and following periods, please click here>>> Here are the key points: Total earnings for the 335 S&P 500 members that have reported Q4 results are up +12.9% from the same period last year on +8.9% higher revenues, with 76.4% beating EPS estimates and 71.9% beating revenue estimates. Earnings estimates for 2026 Q1 have modestly increased since the quarter got underway, with positive estimate revisions for the Tech, Finance, Utilities, Business Services, and Industrial Products sectors offsetting negative estimate revisions for 10 of the 16 Zacks sectors over that time period. Had it not been for the positive estimate revisions for the Tech sector, Q1 estimates for the index as a whole would be modestly down since the quarter got underway. On the negative side, 2026 Q1 estimates are going down for 10 of the 16 Zacks sectors, with significant negative revisions pressure at the Energy, Medical, Consumer Discretionary, and Construction sectors. The aggregate revisions trend for 2026 is positive, as had consistently been the case in 2025 as well. Since the start of 2025 Q4, rising estimates for the Tech, Finance, and six other sectors (Autos, Retail, Transportation, Construction, Industrials, and Business Services) have more than offset negative estimate revisions at the remaining 8 Zacks sectors. Sectors suffering significant negative estimate revisions since the start of 2025 Q4 include Energy, Basic Materials, Conglomerates, Aerospace, and others. Had it not been for the Tech sector’s positive estimate revisions, the aggregate revisions trend would have been modestly negative since the start of 2025 Q4. The Evolving Tech Sector Earnings Picture Regular readers are well aware of the Tech sector’s critical role in the aggregate earnings growth picture. In fact, the sector has been a key driver of a...
Note: The following is an excerpt from this week’s Earnings Trends report. You can access the full report that contains detailed historical actual and estimates for the current and following periods, please click here>>> Here are the key points: Total earnings for the 335 S&P 500 members that have reported Q4 results are up +12.9% from the same period last year on +8.9% higher revenues, with 76.4%...
Note: The following is an excerpt from this week’s Earnings Trends report. You can access the full report that contains detailed historical actual and estimates for the current and following periods, please click here>>> Here are the key points: Total earnings for the 335 S&P 500 members that have reported Q4 results are up +12.9% from the same period last year on +8.9% higher revenues, with 76.4% beating EPS estimates and 71.9% beating revenue estimates. Earnings estimates for 2026 Q1 have modestly increased since the quarter got underway, with positive estimate revisions for the Tech, Finance, Utilities, Business Services, and Industrial Products sectors offsetting negative estimate revisions for 10 of the 16 Zacks sectors over that time period. Had it not been for the positive estimate revisions for the Tech sector, Q1 estimates for the index as a whole would be modestly down since the quarter got underway. On the negative side, 2026 Q1 estimates are going down for 10 of the 16 Zacks sectors, with significant negative revisions pressure at the Energy, Medical, Consumer Discretionary, and Construction sectors. The aggregate revisions trend for 2026 is positive, as had consistently been the case in 2025 as well. Since the start of 2025 Q4, rising estimates for the Tech, Finance, and six other sectors (Autos, Retail, Transportation, Construction, Industrials, and Business Services) have more than offset negative estimate revisions at the remaining 8 Zacks sectors. Sectors suffering significant negative estimate revisions since the start of 2025 Q4 include Energy, Basic Materials, Conglomerates, Aerospace, and others. Had it not been for the Tech sector’s positive estimate revisions, the aggregate revisions trend would have been modestly negative since the start of 2025 Q4. The Evolving Tech Sector Earnings Picture Regular readers are well aware of the Tech sector’s critical role in the aggregate earnings growth picture. In fact, the sector has been a key driver of a...
Cost, diversification, and portfolio strategy set these two consumer staples ETFs apart for investors seeking sector exposure. The Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA +1.24%) and the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Consumer Staples ETF (RSPS +1.46%) both target U.S. consumer staples stocks, but they take different approaches. FSTA tracks a market-cap-weighted index, heavily favoring the se...
Cost, diversification, and portfolio strategy set these two consumer staples ETFs apart for investors seeking sector exposure. The Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA +1.24%) and the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Consumer Staples ETF (RSPS +1.46%) both target U.S. consumer staples stocks, but they take different approaches. FSTA tracks a market-cap-weighted index, heavily favoring the sector’s largest players, while RSPS equally weights all S&P 500 consumer staples constituents. This comparison unpacks cost, returns, risk, and portfolio makeup to help investors weigh which approach aligns with their goals. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric RSPS FSTA Issuer Invesco Fidelity Expense ratio 0.40% 0.08% 1-yr return (as of Feb. 11, 2026) 12.60% 8.73% Dividend yield 2.63% 2.18% AUM $250 million $1.4 billion Beta (5Y monthly) 0.61 0.64 FSTA is notably more affordable on fees, with a much lower expense ratio. RSPS edges out FSTA on yield, however, which could appeal to those looking for greater dividend income. Performance & risk comparison Metric RSPS FSTA Max drawdown (5 y) -18.61% -16.57% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,081 $1,380 What's inside FSTA tracks the MSCI USA IMI Consumer Staples 25/50 Index and holds 96 stocks, offering broad exposure to the consumer defensive sector. Its top holdings — Costco Wholesale, Walmart, and Procter & Gamble — make up over a third of the fund, reflecting a heavy concentration in household names. FSTA was launched over 12 years ago, supporting its credibility as a core sector ETF. RSPS, by contrast, strictly sticks to S&P 500 consumer staples stocks, allocating equal weight to 36 holdings. This equal-weighting approach reduces single-stock risk but increases exposure to mid-cap names relative to FSTA’s large-cap tilt. Both ETFs are free of leverage, currency hedging, or ESG overlays. For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link. What this means for investors Both RSPS and FSTA provide exposure to the ...
Low angle view of tall buildings in Tokyo, Japan, showcasing diverse architectural styles George Pachantouris | Moment | Getty Images Japan's Nikkei 225 on Thursday hit 58,000 for the first time in history, extending its post-election rally to fresh highs, fueled by renewed confidence in domestic politics and the ruling administration's economic agenda. The Topix advanced 0.45%. Other markets in A...
Low angle view of tall buildings in Tokyo, Japan, showcasing diverse architectural styles George Pachantouris | Moment | Getty Images Japan's Nikkei 225 on Thursday hit 58,000 for the first time in history, extending its post-election rally to fresh highs, fueled by renewed confidence in domestic politics and the ruling administration's economic agenda. The Topix advanced 0.45%. Other markets in Asia also shrugged off a stronger-than-expected U.S. payrolls data that has dampened expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts and sent U.S. stocks lower overnight. South Korea's Kospi jumped 1.12%, while the small-cap Kosdaq added 0.22%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.42% in early trade. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures were at 27,206, lower than the HSI's last close of 27,266.38. Overnight in the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped a three-day win streak after a better-than-expected January jobs report . The blue-chip index lost 66.74 points, or 0.13%, and closed at 50,121.40. The S&P 500 was nearly flat at 6,941.47. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.16% to end at 23,066.47. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' January nonfarm payrolls report showed job growth of 130,000 in January. Economists polled by Dow Jones had estimated gains at 55,000. Jobs growth in December was downwardly revised to 48,000. Strong labor market has reduced the odds for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve . The jobs report follows weaker-than-expected consumer data released on Tuesday. That report showed that consumer spending in December was flat , missing the 0.4% monthly gain expected from economists polled by Dow Jones. —CNBC's Sean Conlon and Liz Napolitano contributed to this report.
U.S. ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates win Olympic silver, in a stunning upset toggle caption Francisco Seco/AP Want more Olympics updates? Subscribe here to get our newsletter, Rachel Goes to the Games, delivered to your inbox for a behind-the-scenes look at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. MILAN — U.S. ice dancing power couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates won their first individual...
U.S. ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates win Olympic silver, in a stunning upset toggle caption Francisco Seco/AP Want more Olympics updates? Subscribe here to get our newsletter, Rachel Goes to the Games, delivered to your inbox for a behind-the-scenes look at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. MILAN — U.S. ice dancing power couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates won their first individual Olympic medal on Wednesday, claiming silver after two harrowing days of competition against their French rivals. It's a moment of redemption for the four-time Olympians — and real-life spouses — who finished just off the podium in Beijing, four years ago, before winning three consecutive national titles. But it's also bittersweet, as Chock described it afterward. The veterans and gold-medal favorites lost to the newly-paired Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France by 1.43 points. "We really gave it our all, and I wouldn't change anything about how we approached each performance, what we delivered in each performance," the typically-composed Chock told reporters through her tears. Sponsor Message "We really gave it our best. And that's what we set out to do coming to these Games. So I think we have got a lot to be proud of, and a lot to be grateful for, 'cause we've had an incredible career, so well-supported by our families, and our coaches, by each other, and sometimes that's just how it shakes out." Chock and Bates are among the the most seasoned skaters on the U.S. team and at these Games in general. They helped Team USA win its second straight gold medal in the team event last weekend, scoring back-to-back season's bests in both of their programs. But they faced steep competition in the individual event from a much newer — and more controversial — duo. Beaudry and Cizeron, the reigning European champions, only teamed up last year and continue to face questions over their former partners (more on that below). Beaudry and Cizeron finished Monday's rhyth...
Elon Musk’s tunneling firm The Boring Company was tapped Wednesday to plow connections among Universal’s Orlando theme parks. The board of the Shingle Creek Transit and Utility Community Development District, a special purpose district encompassing Universal properties, voted to begin contract negotiations with Musk’s firm to design and build the infrastructure improvements, following a monthslong...
Elon Musk’s tunneling firm The Boring Company was tapped Wednesday to plow connections among Universal’s Orlando theme parks. The board of the Shingle Creek Transit and Utility Community Development District, a special purpose district encompassing Universal properties, voted to begin contract negotiations with Musk’s firm to design and build the infrastructure improvements, following a monthslong competition. The Boring Company was one of three bidders, alongside V2R and Sunshine Connection Partners. It is best known for its expertise in underground tunnels, having dug the “Vegas Loop” transportation network in Las Vegas, Nevada. A system of tunnels linking Universal’s popular properties could be as iconic in the 21st century as Disney World’s monorails were in the 20th century. But little is known about how The Boring Company intends to proceed, including how it might approach constructing tunnels given Florida’s shallow water table. The district sought bids from companies to design and build an innovative transportation system to provide connectivity between Universal’s parks and other assets. The idea was to link the parks, including the popular new tourist draw, Epic Universe, to City Walk and Universal-owned hotels, according to Brian Gettinger, an executive for transit company Glydways, which helped Sunshine Connection Partners make its bid. The district did not specifically define a mode of transportation. But The Boring Company, founded and owned by tech billionaire Musk, who also owns SpaceX, digs tunnels, and Gettinger said he assumes that will be their approach. The district board said it found the company to have made the most qualified proposal of the bidders. “Board members determined that The Boring Company’s proposal best addressed the District’s request for an innovative, future-ready, point-to-point solution,” the district said in a statement announcing the decision. “The District will now continue collaborating with local stakeholders while explo...