I’ve always been a big believer that readers deserve data and analysis that is short-and-to-the-point. Here is some other data points from Thomson, and Factset that readers might find interesting:
Quick comparison of Thomson and Factset’s Q1 ’15 S&P 500 Revenue Growth estimates:
Thomson / Factset (2nd column)
- Health Care +8.6%, +9.1%
- Tech +5.3%, +5.2%
- Telco: +3.5%, +3.3%
- Consumer Staples: +3.1%, +2.6%
- Consumer Discretionary: +2.7%, +2.4%
- Financials: +1.6%, +3.4%
- Industrials: +0.7%, +0.6%
- Utilities: -5.1%, -4.7%
- Basic Materials: -5.8%, -6%
- Energy: -36.1%%, -38.9%
- S&P 500: -2.9%, -3%
Although Thomson doesn’t draw the same conclusion, Factset explains simply “If the Energy sector is excluded, the estimated Q1 ’15 revenue growth rate for the S&P 500 would jump to +3%, from -3%. Expecting 3% revenue growth to start the quarter given the worries over the dollarand Energy isn't too shabby, in my opinion.
The expected 3% revenue growth is inline with the last 6 – 8 quarters revenue growth of 2% – 4%. Not robust, but consistent with bear markets in Technology and Financials the last 15 years.
The only sector where there seems to be any kind of difference in terms of expected revenue growth is Financials.
In terms of earnings, looking at the S&P 500 as a whole, Thomson thinks, ex-Energy, that S&P 500 will increase by 5.4%. Per Factset, on S&P 500 earnings, if Energy is excluded the expected earnings growth for the S&P 500 would jump to 3.3%.
You’ve heard this all before, but I thought it was worth repeating.