标普盈利预是健康的 Earnings growth for U.S. companies was supposed to return this year, judging by analysts' estimates. Now it looks like that already happened. Companies in the S&P 500 are in position for a 3.6% increase in fourth-quarter profit. The figure reflects results from the companies already reporting and estimates for those yet to do so. When last quarter ended, analysts expected S&P 500 profit to decline 8.8%, which would have been the fourth straight quarterly drop.