Research & Insights

“With earnings season about to commence, our survey finds sentiment has moderated from the overly zealous bullish stance captured over the prior two quarters, with investors characterizing their view as more neutral overall. The frothy growth expectations abundant in the beginning of the year are fizzling amid renewed concerns about a potential U.S. recession and escalating political uncertainty, both in the U.S. and globally, and a beleaguered consumer. Despite tempering optimism, expectations for Q2’24 results and annual outlooks largely remain intact, underscoring a potential underappreciation for known and emerging headwinds, including the impacts of the higher interest rate environment, the pall cast on spending amid an election year, an increasingly challenged pricing environment, and the resurgence of supply chain issues. In addition to these, leading topics for executives to address on upcoming earnings calls include profitability and expense management, growth, and, of growing importance this quarter, capex and investment priorities. As companies mull over guidance strategy, consideration should be given to derisking the potential for earnings misses through proactive expectations management. With elevated consensus estimates and the ‘back-half loaded’ narrative showing cracks, it’s important to keep in mind the compounding effects of the higher interest rate environment, slowing growth, broad-based cost-cutting efforts, and moderating capex brought on by increasing uncertainty over the U.S. election.”

Q2’24 Earnings Primer^®
Rebecca Corbin, Founder and CEO